US crochet abbreviations
Author: Crochetly · Last updated: May 16, 2026
Sources: Craft Yarn Council
Need to decode a US crochet pattern? This reference covers the standard US abbreviations from sc (single crochet) to trtr (triple treble crochet), organized by category.
Designers and publishers sometimes use special abbreviations in a pattern. Always check the pattern’s key before you start.
What are the most common US crochet abbreviations?
Section titled “What are the most common US crochet abbreviations?”US patterns use sc (single crochet), hdc (half double crochet), dc (double crochet), and tr (treble crochet) as the core stitches. This master table covers every standard abbreviation from alt to yoh.
| 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 |
What are the US foundation and construction terms?
Section titled “What are the US foundation and construction terms?”beg means begin/beginning, inc means increase, dec means decrease, and rep means repeat. These terms describe how a project is structured.
| 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 |
What are the US terms for stitch loops and placement?
Section titled “What are the US terms for stitch loops and placement?”FL/FLO is front loop only, BL/BLO is back loop only, tbl is through back loop, and sk means skip. These specify where exactly to insert your hook.
| 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 |
What are the US abbreviations for markers and color?
Section titled “What are the US abbreviations for markers and color?”m is marker, pm is place marker, MC is main color, CC is contrasting color. These help you track your place and manage color changes.
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
m | marker |
pm | place marker |
sm or sl m | slip marker |
CC | contrasting color |
MC | main color |
What are the basic US crochet stitches?
Section titled “What are the basic US crochet stitches?”US stitches scale by height: sc (single crochet), hdc (half double), dc (double), tr (treble), dtr (double treble), trtr (triple treble). Each additional yarn over creates a taller stitch.
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
sc | single crochet |
hdc | half double crochet |
dc | double crochet |
tr | treble crochet |
dtr | double treble crochet |
trtr | triple treble crochet |
How do US patterns express increases and decreases?
Section titled “How do US patterns express increases and decreases?”sc2tog, hdc2tog, dc2tog, and tr2tog mean working 2 stitches together to decrease. inc means increase by working multiple stitches into the same stitch.
| 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 |
What are the US abbreviations for special stitches?
Section titled “What are the US abbreviations for special stitches?”bo is bobble, CL is cluster, pc is popcorn, ps/puff is puff stitch, sh is shell, and sl st is slip stitch. These decorative stitches each have a distinct abbreviation.
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
bo | bobble |
CL | cluster |
pc | popcorn stitch |
ps or puff | puff stitch |
sh | shell |
sl st | slip stitch |
What are the US back post stitch abbreviations?
Section titled “What are the US back post stitch abbreviations?”BPsc, BPhdc, BPdc, BPtr, and BPdtr work the stitch around the back post of a previous row. Post stitches create texture and ribbing.
| 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 |
What are the US front post stitch abbreviations?
Section titled “What are the US front post stitch abbreviations?”FPsc, FPhdc, FPdc, FPtr, and FPdtr work the stitch around the front post of a previous row. Combined with back post stitches, these create a variety of textured patterns.
| 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 |
What are the US extended stitch abbreviations?
Section titled “What are the US extended stitch abbreviations?”esc (extended single crochet), ehdc (extended half double), edc (extended double), and etr (extended treble) add an extra chain to each stitch. Extended stitches are taller and looser than standard stitches.
| US Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
esc | extended single crochet |
ehdc | extended half double crochet |
edc | extended double crochet |
etr | extended treble crochet |
How do US crochet terms convert to UK English?
Section titled “How do US crochet terms convert to UK English?”US sc (single crochet) = UK dc (double crochet). US dc (double crochet) = UK tr (treble crochet). Stitch name confusion between US and UK is the most common issue for crocheters, so use this table to convert.
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.