The following is a list of crochet abbreviations used by the yarn industry, designers, and publishers in the United States.
Designers and publishers may use special abbreviations in a pattern, although you can open a PR or Issue to make recommendations. Refer to Craft Yarn Council’s abbreviations for additional information.
| Abbreviation | Description (US terminology) |
|---|
alt | alternate |
approx | approximately |
beg | begin/beginning |
bet | between |
BL or BLO | back loop or back loop only |
bo | bobble |
BP | back post |
BPdc | back post double crochet |
BPdtr | back post double treble crochet |
BPhdc | back post half double crochet |
BPsc | back post single crochet |
BPtr | back post treble crochet |
CC | contrasting color |
ch | chain stitch |
ch- | refer to chain or space previously made |
ch-sp | chain space |
CL | cluster |
cont | continue |
dc | double crochet |
dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
dec | decrease |
dtr | double treble crochet |
edc | extended double crochet |
ehdc | extended half double crochet |
esc | extended single crochet |
etr | extended treble crochet |
FL or FLO | front loop or front loop only |
foll | following |
FP | front post |
FPdc | front post double crochet |
FPdtr | front post double treble crochet |
FPhdc | front post half double crochet |
FPsc | front post single crochet |
FPtr | front post treble crochet |
hdc | half double crochet |
hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
inc | increase |
lp | loop |
m | marker |
MC | main color |
pat or patt | pattern |
pc | popcorn stitch |
pm | place marker |
prev | previous |
ps or puff | puff stitch |
rem | remaining |
rep | repeat |
rnd | round |
RS | right side |
sc | single crochet |
sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
sh | shell |
sk | skip |
sl st | slip stitch |
sm or sl m | slip marker |
sp | space |
st | stitch |
tbl | through back loop |
tch or t-ch | turning chain |
tog | together |
tr | treble crochet |
tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
trtr | triple treble crochet |
WS | wrong side |
yo | yarn over |
yoh | yarn over hook |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
alt | alternate |
approx | approximately |
beg | begin/beginning |
bet | between |
cont | continue |
foll | following |
inc | increase |
dec | decrease |
prev | previous |
rem | remaining |
rep | repeat |
rnd | round |
RS | right side |
WS | wrong side |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
ch | chain stitch |
ch- | refer to chain or space previously made |
ch-sp | chain space |
lp | loop |
sp | space |
st | stitch |
sk | skip |
tbl | through back loop |
FL or FLO | front loop or front loop only |
BL or BLO | back loop or back loop only |
yo | yarn over |
yoh | yarn over hook |
tch or t-ch | turning chain |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
m | marker |
pm | place marker |
sm or sl m | slip marker |
CC | contrasting color |
MC | main color |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
sc | single crochet |
hdc | half double crochet |
dc | double crochet |
tr | treble crochet |
dtr | double treble crochet |
trtr | triple treble crochet |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
tog | together |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
bo | bobble |
CL | cluster |
pc | popcorn stitch |
ps or puff | puff stitch |
sh | shell |
sl st | slip stitch |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
BP | back post |
BPsc | back post single crochet |
BPhdc | back post half double crochet |
BPdc | back post double crochet |
BPtr | back post treble crochet |
BPdtr | back post double treble crochet |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
FP | front post |
FPsc | front post single crochet |
FPhdc | front post half double crochet |
FPdc | front post double crochet |
FPtr | front post treble crochet |
FPdtr | front post double treble crochet |
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|
esc | extended single crochet |
ehdc | extended half double crochet |
edc | extended double crochet |
etr | extended treble crochet |
This table lists the equivalent stitch names between US and UK crochet terminology. Use this as a handy reference when converting patterns or instructions.
| US Term | UK Equivalent |
|---|
slip stitch sl st | slip stitch sl st |
single crochet sc | double crochet dc |
half double crochet hdc | half treble crochet htr |
double crochet dc | treble crochet tr |
treble crochet tr | double treble crochet dtr |
| double treble crochet | triple treble crochet |
| triple treble crochet | quadruple treble crochet |
yarn over yo | yarn over yo |
⚠️ Note: Stitch names are the most common source of confusion between UK and US patterns. Always check which terminology a pattern uses before starting.