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US crochet abbreviations quiz
Decode US stitches, pattern repeats, loops, posts, and UK equivalents.
Mixed rounds: about 3–5 minutes · No timer
10 random questions per mixed round · 30 questions in the full bank below
Published by Quizpen · Explanations include linked supporting reading. See our source-checking process and review limits.
PRACTICE BY SKILL
Choose a focused round
Practice one part of this topic with every question in that skill. Focused practice is separate from ten-question mixed rounds.
Getting your round ready…
BEHIND THE ROUND
A little more about this quiz
A short crochet instruction can contain a stitch, an insertion location, and a repeat count. Read those parts separately: dc names a US double crochet, BLO changes the loop used, and a repeat mark tells you which sequence to work again. This quiz tests the notation used in written US patterns.
The 30-question bank has three groups of ten: stitch and action abbreviations, pattern positions and color labels, then US-to-UK equivalents and worked instruction examples. Each round draws ten random questions, and the numbered sheet lets you practice a complete group.
Check a pattern’s US or UK terminology before following its stitch names. US sc corresponds to UK dc, while US dc corresponds to UK tr. For a designer’s special code, use that pattern’s own definition; the Craft Yarn Council sources support the common terms tested here.
LEARN THE PATTERN
Read a crochet instruction in three steps
Identify the stitch or action, find its insertion location, then resolve the grouping and repeat count. The following sections match the three numbered groups in the bank.
US crochet abbreviation and pattern-reading reference
Cover the meaning column and translate each code. The conversion rows use US terminology as the starting point.
| Notation | US meaning | Reading cue or UK equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ch | Chain stitch | An action can form a foundation, turning chain, or space. |
| sc | Single crochet | UK equivalent: double crochet (dc). |
| hdc | Half double crochet | UK equivalent: half treble crochet (htr). |
| dc | Double crochet | UK equivalent: treble crochet (tr). |
| tr | Treble crochet | UK equivalent: double treble crochet (dtr). |
| sl st | Slip stitch | UK equivalent: slip stitch, commonly ss. |
| yo | Yarn over | An action within an instruction, rather than a finished stitch name. |
| sk | Skip | Pass over the stated stitch or space. |
| st / sts | Stitch / stitches | The singular and plural forms of the same term. |
| ch-sp | Chain space | Work into the opening formed by chains. |
| rep | Repeat | The pattern specifies the repeated sequence and its limit. |
| rnd | Round | A numbered round rather than a numbered row. |
| BLO / BL | Back loop only / back loop | A top loop; different from a back post. |
| FLO / FL | Front loop only / front loop | A top loop; different from a front post. |
| FP | Front post | FPdc combines the placement with US double crochet. |
| BP | Back post | BPdc combines the placement with US double crochet. |
| MC | Main color | Match the role to the yarn named in the pattern. |
| CC | Contrasting color | Match the role to the pattern’s color key. |
| RS | Right side | The project’s designated right side. |
| WS | Wrong side | The opposite designated side; not a mistake. |
| sc2tog | Single crochet two together | Two stitch positions become one resulting stitch. |
| dc in next 3 sts | One dc into each of three stitches | Three separate insertion positions. |
| [sc, ch 1] 3 times | Repeat the pair three times | Three sc actions and three chain actions. |
| (sc, dc) in next st | Both stitches in the same next stitch | Read the location attached to the group. |
| rep from * | Repeat starting at the asterisk | Continue to the endpoint stated by the pattern. |
| Special abbreviation | Use the pattern’s own definition | Check its abbreviation key or special-stitch section. |
These are common written-pattern terms. A pattern’s own key controls its custom abbreviations, color assignments, and repeat endpoints.
Reference sources: Craft Yarn Council: US crochet abbreviations and UK equivalents · Craft Yarn Council: how to read a crochet pattern
Check what you remember
Look away from the table. Try each question, then open it to check your answer.
A UK pattern asks for dc. Which corresponding US stitch name should you use?Show answer
US single crochet. The same dc letters mean different stitch names in US and UK conventions.
How many sc and chain actions appear in “[sc, ch 1] 3 times”?Show answer
Three single crochets and three chains: repeat the two-action group three times.
What is the difference between FLO and FP?Show answer
FLO means front loop only; FP means front post. They identify different insertion locations.
Stitches and actions: questions 1–10
Separate a finished stitch name from an action. Ch, sc, hdc, dc, tr, and sl st name familiar stitches in US terminology; yo says yarn over, and sk says skip. A short instruction can combine these labels with a count or location.
A chain space is the opening formed by chains. Working into that opening is different from working into an individual stitch’s loops. Read st and sts as stitch and stitches, rather than assuming they refer only to chains.
- Write out “sk next st” as “skip the next stitch.”
- Check whether an instruction says ch-sp, a stitch, a loop, or a post before inserting the hook.
Locations, colors, and sides: questions 11–20
BLO and FLO identify the back or front loop only. BP and FP identify the back or front post. In FPdc, FP supplies the placement and dc supplies the US stitch type; changing the location changes the instruction.
MC and CC identify main and contrasting color roles assigned by the pattern. RS and WS name the designated right and wrong sides of the fabric. These labels help you follow the project’s instructions without guessing a yarn shade or treating WS as an error.
- Rnd means round; rep means repeat and still needs a sequence and an endpoint.
- Loop labels and post labels describe different insertion locations.
Conversions and repeats: questions 21–30
The four tested US-to-UK conversions are sc to dc, hdc to htr, dc to tr, and tr to dtr. Translate the name according to the pattern convention before working the stitch. A UK dc instruction should not be read as US double crochet.
Read grouped examples literally. “[sc, ch 1] 3 times” contains three single crochets and three chains. “Dc in next 3 sts” uses three consecutive positions, while “(sc, dc) in next st” puts both stitches into one position. An asterisk marks where a stated repeat begins.
- Sc2tog combines two stitch positions into one resulting single crochet.
- Read the full instruction around parentheses or brackets: they may identify a repeat or a group worked together.
- Look up unfamiliar designer abbreviations in that pattern’s key or special-stitch section.
Put it into practice
Further reading: Craft Yarn Council: US crochet abbreviations and UK equivalents · Craft Yarn Council: how to read a crochet pattern
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
US crochet abbreviations quiz: the full question sheet
Read stitch names, pattern repeats, and US-to-UK conversions with this 30-question bank. Each round draws ten random questions; the full sheet groups the bank into three sets of ten.
By Quizpen · Updated
Browse the full question bank30 questions & answers
In a US crochet pattern, what does “ch” tell you to make?
Reveal answer
A chain stitch. The abbreviation ch means chain stitch. It can appear in a foundation, a turning instruction, or a space between stitches; the surrounding pattern tells you its purpose.
Sources for this answer
Which stitch does “sc” mean when the pattern uses US terminology?
Reveal answer
Single crochet. US sc is single crochet. Check the terminology before starting: the comparable stitch is called double crochet in UK terminology, so the name alone can cause a mismatch.
Sources for this answer
A US pattern asks for “hdc.” Which stitch is required?
Reveal answer
Half double crochet. Hdc is the US abbreviation for half double crochet. The corresponding UK name is half treble crochet; a US pattern does not use hdc to mean US double crochet.
Sources for this answer
In US crochet abbreviations, “dc” stands for which stitch?
Reveal answer
Double crochet. US dc means double crochet. UK patterns call the equivalent stitch treble crochet, which is why a pattern’s US or UK convention matters before you interpret the abbreviation.
Sources for this answer
What does “tr” mean in a pattern explicitly written in US crochet terms?
Reveal answer
Treble crochet. US tr means treble crochet. It is a stitch name, not an instruction to turn; the Craft Yarn Council lists tch or t-ch for a turning chain.
Sources for this answer
What is the usual meaning of “sl st” in a US crochet pattern?
Reveal answer
Slip stitch. Sl st means slip stitch. Keep it separate from sk, which tells you to skip: one makes a stitch, while the other directs you past a stitch or space.
Sources for this answer
When a crochet instruction says “yo,” what action is intended?
Reveal answer
Yarn over. Yo means yarn over. It names an action used within stitch instructions rather than a finished stitch such as sc or dc; some patterns also write yoh for yarn over hook.
Sources for this answer
In “sk next st,” what does “sk” direct you to do?
Reveal answer
Skip the next stitch. Sk means skip, and st means stitch. The instruction passes over the next stitch instead of working into it; a later instruction specifies where the next stitch should go.
Sources for this answer
A row ends with “24 sts.” What does “sts” mean?
Reveal answer
Stitches. St is stitch and sts is its plural. A count such as 24 sts describes the stated stitch total; it does not automatically mean twenty-four chains, rows, or spaces.
Sources for this answer
Where should you work if a pattern specifies a “ch-sp”?
Reveal answer
Into a chain space. Ch-sp means chain space: the opening formed by chains. Read the pattern’s location instruction carefully, because working into that opening differs from inserting into an individual stitch’s loops.
Sources for this answer
What does “rep” mean in a crochet instruction?
Reveal answer
Repeat. Rep means repeat. The pattern must still tell you what to repeat and how far or how many times; the abbreviation alone does not define the size of a repeat.
Sources for this answer
A circular pattern begins “Rnd 4.” What does “rnd” mean?
Reveal answer
Round. Rnd means round. A pattern worked in rounds uses this label to identify a circuit of stitches, while row labels identify rows in instructions worked back and forth.
Sources for this answer
What does “BLO” change about where you insert the hook?
Reveal answer
Use the back loop only. BLO means back loop only. It identifies one of the top loops of a stitch; BP means back post, so those abbreviations refer to different insertion locations.
Sources for this answer
Which location does “FLO” specify?
Reveal answer
The front loop only. FLO means front loop only. A front loop is part of the stitch’s top, whereas a front-post instruction works around the post; FLO and FP are not interchangeable.
Sources for this answer
In the abbreviation “FPdc,” what does the “FP” part mean?
Reveal answer
Front post. FP means front post, and dc supplies the US stitch type: double crochet. The combined abbreviation specifies both the stitch and its placement around the post.
Sources for this answer
In “BPdc,” what does the “BP” part identify?
Reveal answer
Back post. BP means back post. Read the full abbreviation as back-post double crochet in US terminology; back-loop-only double crochet would be a different instruction.
Sources for this answer
A two-color pattern calls one yarn “MC.” What does this label mean?
Reveal answer
Main color. MC means main color. It labels a yarn’s role in the pattern; the instructions or materials list identify which actual yarn color is assigned that role.
Sources for this answer
What does “CC” usually identify in a crochet pattern’s yarn instructions?
Reveal answer
Contrasting color. CC means contrasting color. Pair it with the materials list and any numbered color keys: the abbreviation identifies a color role, not a universal shade.
Sources for this answer
A crochet instruction marks a row “RS.” Which side does that mean?
Reveal answer
Right side. RS means right side, the side identified as the project’s right side by its instructions. It is a side-of-fabric label and does not mean “use your right hand.”
Sources for this answer
What does “WS” mean beside a row label?
Reveal answer
Wrong side. WS means wrong side. It helps track which face of the fabric is facing you during the specified row; it does not declare that the row contains an error.
Sources for this answer
Which UK stitch name corresponds to US single crochet?
Reveal answer
Double crochet. The US-to-UK conversion is US single crochet to UK double crochet. These names describe the corresponding stitch; do not substitute US double crochet when translating a UK dc instruction.
Sources for this answer
A stitch is called half double crochet in US terms. What is its UK name?
Reveal answer
Half treble crochet. US half double crochet corresponds to UK half treble crochet. The conversion changes the terminology for the stitch, rather than telling you to work half the number of stitches.
Sources for this answer
What is the UK equivalent of US double crochet?
Reveal answer
Treble crochet. US double crochet corresponds to UK treble crochet. Read a pattern’s terminology statement first: the same dc abbreviation has a different stitch meaning in US and UK conventions.
Sources for this answer
Which UK name matches US treble crochet?
Reveal answer
Double treble crochet. US treble crochet corresponds to UK double treble crochet. This is a stitch-name conversion, so a translated pattern should preserve the intended stitch construction.
Sources for this answer
What does “sc2tog” instruct you to combine?
Reveal answer
Two single crochet stitches into one. Sc2tog means single crochet two stitches together. It is a decrease that combines two stitch positions into one resulting stitch; it is different from working two sc into one stitch.
Sources for this answer
In US terms, how should you read “dc in next 3 sts”?
Reveal answer
Work one double crochet in each of the next three stitches. The phrase next 3 sts identifies three consecutive stitch positions. Work a dc in each one; an instruction that places several stitches in one position must say so.
Sources for this answer
How many single crochets and chains does “[sc, ch 1] 3 times” explicitly contain?
Reveal answer
Three single crochets and three chains. The bracketed pair is repeated three times. Each repetition contains one sc and one chain, giving three of each; this counts the stated actions rather than the total row length.
Sources for this answer
A pattern says “(sc, dc) in next st.” Where do these two stitches go?
Reveal answer
Both into the same next stitch. The phrase in next st applies to the grouped sc and dc. Both go into that single stitch position; parentheses can also mark repeats, so read the words around them.
Sources for this answer
After a marked sequence, the instruction says “rep from * across.” What should you repeat?
Reveal answer
The sequence beginning at the asterisk. The asterisk marks the start of the repeated sequence. Rep from * directs you back to that point and across as instructed; any remaining ending stitches are handled separately by the pattern.
Sources for this answer
A designer uses an abbreviation absent from the standard crochet list. Where should you look first?
Reveal answer
The pattern’s abbreviation key or special-stitch instructions. Designers can define special abbreviations for a particular pattern. Its key or special-stitch section supplies that definition; a standard list helps with common terms but cannot define every custom code.
Sources for this answer
Answer key
- A chain stitch. The abbreviation ch means chain stitch. It can appear in a foundation, a turning instruction, or a space between stitches; the surrounding pattern tells you its purpose.
- Single crochet. US sc is single crochet. Check the terminology before starting: the comparable stitch is called double crochet in UK terminology, so the name alone can cause a mismatch.
- Half double crochet. Hdc is the US abbreviation for half double crochet. The corresponding UK name is half treble crochet; a US pattern does not use hdc to mean US double crochet.
- Double crochet. US dc means double crochet. UK patterns call the equivalent stitch treble crochet, which is why a pattern’s US or UK convention matters before you interpret the abbreviation.
- Treble crochet. US tr means treble crochet. It is a stitch name, not an instruction to turn; the Craft Yarn Council lists tch or t-ch for a turning chain.
- Slip stitch. Sl st means slip stitch. Keep it separate from sk, which tells you to skip: one makes a stitch, while the other directs you past a stitch or space.
- Yarn over. Yo means yarn over. It names an action used within stitch instructions rather than a finished stitch such as sc or dc; some patterns also write yoh for yarn over hook.
- Skip the next stitch. Sk means skip, and st means stitch. The instruction passes over the next stitch instead of working into it; a later instruction specifies where the next stitch should go.
- Stitches. St is stitch and sts is its plural. A count such as 24 sts describes the stated stitch total; it does not automatically mean twenty-four chains, rows, or spaces.
- Into a chain space. Ch-sp means chain space: the opening formed by chains. Read the pattern’s location instruction carefully, because working into that opening differs from inserting into an individual stitch’s loops.
- Repeat. Rep means repeat. The pattern must still tell you what to repeat and how far or how many times; the abbreviation alone does not define the size of a repeat.
- Round. Rnd means round. A pattern worked in rounds uses this label to identify a circuit of stitches, while row labels identify rows in instructions worked back and forth.
- Use the back loop only. BLO means back loop only. It identifies one of the top loops of a stitch; BP means back post, so those abbreviations refer to different insertion locations.
- The front loop only. FLO means front loop only. A front loop is part of the stitch’s top, whereas a front-post instruction works around the post; FLO and FP are not interchangeable.
- Front post. FP means front post, and dc supplies the US stitch type: double crochet. The combined abbreviation specifies both the stitch and its placement around the post.
- Back post. BP means back post. Read the full abbreviation as back-post double crochet in US terminology; back-loop-only double crochet would be a different instruction.
- Main color. MC means main color. It labels a yarn’s role in the pattern; the instructions or materials list identify which actual yarn color is assigned that role.
- Contrasting color. CC means contrasting color. Pair it with the materials list and any numbered color keys: the abbreviation identifies a color role, not a universal shade.
- Right side. RS means right side, the side identified as the project’s right side by its instructions. It is a side-of-fabric label and does not mean “use your right hand.”
- Wrong side. WS means wrong side. It helps track which face of the fabric is facing you during the specified row; it does not declare that the row contains an error.
- Double crochet. The US-to-UK conversion is US single crochet to UK double crochet. These names describe the corresponding stitch; do not substitute US double crochet when translating a UK dc instruction.
- Half treble crochet. US half double crochet corresponds to UK half treble crochet. The conversion changes the terminology for the stitch, rather than telling you to work half the number of stitches.
- Treble crochet. US double crochet corresponds to UK treble crochet. Read a pattern’s terminology statement first: the same dc abbreviation has a different stitch meaning in US and UK conventions.
- Double treble crochet. US treble crochet corresponds to UK double treble crochet. This is a stitch-name conversion, so a translated pattern should preserve the intended stitch construction.
- Two single crochet stitches into one. Sc2tog means single crochet two stitches together. It is a decrease that combines two stitch positions into one resulting stitch; it is different from working two sc into one stitch.
- Work one double crochet in each of the next three stitches. The phrase next 3 sts identifies three consecutive stitch positions. Work a dc in each one; an instruction that places several stitches in one position must say so.
- Three single crochets and three chains. The bracketed pair is repeated three times. Each repetition contains one sc and one chain, giving three of each; this counts the stated actions rather than the total row length.
- Both into the same next stitch. The phrase in next st applies to the grouped sc and dc. Both go into that single stitch position; parentheses can also mark repeats, so read the words around them.
- The sequence beginning at the asterisk. The asterisk marks the start of the repeated sequence. Rep from * directs you back to that point and across as instructed; any remaining ending stitches are handled separately by the pattern.
- The pattern’s abbreviation key or special-stitch instructions. Designers can define special abbreviations for a particular pattern. Its key or special-stitch section supplies that definition; a standard list helps with common terms but cannot define every custom code.