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US crochet abbreviation lookup
Search US crochet abbreviations, understand pattern instructions, and compare UK stitch names. A free lookup with source references and clear terminology notes.
Search common US crochet terms and see verified UK equivalents. Check the pattern’s terminology first: US dc and UK dc describe different stitches. A designer’s own key controls special abbreviations.
48 entries shown.
| US code and meaning | UK comparison | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| chChain stitch | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Read the stated number of chains. A chain space is the opening formed by chains. |
| sl stSlip stitchAlso: slst | ssSlip stitch | US sl st corresponds to UK ss. |
| scSingle crochet | dcDouble crochet | A UK dc is the stitch called sc in US terminology. |
| hdcHalf double crochet | htrHalf treble crochet | Translate the stitch name before following a UK pattern. |
| dcDouble crochet | trTreble crochet | US dc and UK dc name different stitches. |
| trTreble crochet | dtrDouble treble crochet | US tr corresponds to UK dtr. |
| dtrDouble treble crochet | trtrTriple treble crochet | US dtr corresponds to UK trtr. |
| sc2togSingle crochet 2 stitches together | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Combine two stitch positions into one resulting single crochet. Follow the pattern’s decrease instructions. |
| hdc2togHalf double crochet 2 stitches together | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The stitch name is US terminology; the number describes positions combined. |
| dc2togDouble crochet 2 stitches together | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The stitch name is US terminology. Use the pattern’s instructions for the decrease. |
| tr2togTreble crochet 2 stitches together | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Work the stated decrease, using the pattern’s stitch convention. |
| CLCluster | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | No universal stitch count or automatic UK conversion: use the pattern’s special-stitch definition. |
| boBobble | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Construction can vary. Use the pattern’s bobble instructions. |
| pcPopcorn stitch | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Read the pattern’s special-stitch instructions for the stitch count and closure. |
| psPuff stitchAlso: puff | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The number of loops and method can vary. Use the pattern’s definition. |
| shShell | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | A group defined by the pattern; it has no single universal stitch count or UK equivalent. |
| yoYarn overAlso: yoh | yohYarn over hook | An action, not a completed stitch. CYC lists yoh as another US abbreviation too. |
| skSkip | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Skip the number of stitches or spaces the instruction specifies. |
| incIncrease | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The abbreviation does not specify a single method. Read the pattern’s instructions. |
| decDecrease | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Use the decrease method and stitch count specified by the pattern. |
| repRepeat | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Find both the sequence to repeat and the stated number or endpoint. |
| pmPlace marker | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Put a marker at the position specified by the pattern. |
| smSlip markerAlso: sl m | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Move the marker as directed; this does not mean slip stitch. |
| BLOBack loop only / back loopAlso: BL | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | A loop placement instruction. Translate any accompanying stitch name separately. |
| FLOFront loop only / front loopAlso: FL | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | A loop placement instruction, distinct from working around a post. |
| BPBack post | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Work around the post as instructed; this is not a back-loop instruction. |
| FPFront post | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | A post placement, distinct from FLO. |
| BPdcBack post double crochet | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | BP describes placement and dc is US double crochet. Translate the dc portion for UK terminology. |
| FPdcFront post double crochet | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | FP describes placement and dc is US double crochet. UK stitch wording uses treble. |
| ch-spChain spaceAlso: ch sp | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Work into the opening formed by chains when instructed, rather than an individual stitch. |
| ch-Previously made chain or chain space | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | For example, ch-1 space refers to the opening formed by a chain-one instruction. |
| spSpace / spacesAlso: sps | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Find the opening named by the full instruction. |
| stStitch / stitchesAlso: sts | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The number and insertion position come from the surrounding instruction. |
| rndRound / roundsAlso: rnds | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | A round is worked around the project; follow the pattern’s joining or continuous-round directions. |
| RSRight side | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The side designated as the right side by the pattern. |
| WSWrong side | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The designated reverse side of the fabric; it does not indicate a mistake. |
| MCMain color | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The color assigned the main-color role by the pattern. |
| CCContrasting color | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | A color role assigned by the pattern, not a particular yarn shade. |
| tchTurning chainAlso: t-ch | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Read the pattern to determine the chain height and whether it counts as a stitch. |
| togTogether | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Read the surrounding stitch and number to know what to combine. |
| begBegin / beginning | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Refers to the beginning of the instruction, row, round, or section specified. |
| remRemaining | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Refers to the stitches or actions still to work as directed. |
| contContinue | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Continue the stated pattern sequence or action. |
| patPatternAlso: patt | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | The surrounding instruction identifies the sequence or pattern being used. |
| *Repeat markerAlso: * *, asterisk | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Repeat the instructions after or between asterisks as directed by the full instruction. |
| [ ]Grouped instructionsAlso: [], brackets | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Work or repeat the bracketed group as directed. [sc, ch 1] 3 times makes three sc and three chains. |
| ( )Grouped instructionsAlso: (), parentheses | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | May mark a repeat or stitches in one position. (sc, dc) in next st puts both in that stitch. |
| { }Grouped instructionsAlso: {}, braces | No automatic conversion listed; use the pattern’s key. | Work or repeat the enclosed group as directed by the full pattern. |
Loop and post labels describe placement; translate the accompanying stitch separately. Clusters, shells, bobbles, popcorn and puff stitches need their pattern’s construction instructions rather than a guessed one-to-one UK conversion.
Test your recall with 30 crochet abbreviation questions or practice conversions and repeats.