Whether you’re a beginner just starting to learn crochet terminology, or a seasoned pro looking to brush up on your skills, you’ve come to the right place! We’re here to guide you through the basics on how to read crochet patterns, learn crochet abbreviations and symbols, and provide handy resources that help you create beautiful crochet projects with ease.
What are crochet abbreviations?
Crochet patterns frequently use abbreviations to condense instructions and make them more manageable. By using abbreviations, patterns become more concise and easier to read, allowing you to quickly understand and follow the steps needed to create the project. Imagine a pattern written in full sentences with no abbreviations— even the simplest design would turn into an intricate, hard-to-follow novel! While abbreviations can be intimidating at first, they become second nature with a little practice, making following written patterns quick and easy.
UK vs US terminology
The differences between UK and US terminology can be a source of confusion for both beginners and experienced crocheters alike. While both use the same basic stitches, the names for these stitches differ substantially. For example, what is called a “single crochet” in US terms is referred to as a “double crochet” in UK terms. This difference can significantly affect how you read and follow a pattern. It’s crucial to check the terminology used in a pattern before starting, as using the wrong terms will most likely lead to a failed project and endless frustration. Luckily, all well written crochet patterns state whether they’re written using US or UK terminology at the start of the document.
Familiarising yourself with both sets of terms can help you navigate patterns from different regions and make finding suitable patterns for your projects much easier. If you’re not confident about knowing both sets of terms, don’t worry! You can use the handy Crochet Abbreviation Table below, which will help you translate and understand any patterns written in US or UK terminology!
Crochet Abbreviations Table
US terminology | UK terminology |
ST - Stitch | |
YO - Yarn over | YOH - Yarn over hook |
CH - Chain | |
CH SP - Chain space | |
SL ST - Slip stitch | SS - Slip stitch |
SC - Single crochet | DC - Double crochet |
HDC - Half double crochet | HTC - Half treble crochet |
DC - Double crochet | TR - Treble crochet |
TR - Treble crochet | DTR - Double treble crochet |
DTR - Double treble crochet | TRTR - Triple treble crochet |
SK - Skip a stitch | MS - Miss a stitch |
FP DC - Front post double crochet | RTRF - Raised treble front |
BP DC - Back post double crochet | RTRB - Raised treble back |
BLO - Back loop only | |
FLO - Front loop only | |
SC2tog - Single crochet 2 together | DC2tog - Double crochet 2 together |
INC - Increase | |
DEC - Decrease | |
CL - Cluster | |
P - Picot | |
REP - Repeat | |
RS - Right side | |
WS - Wrong side | |
FO - Fasten off | CO - Cast off |
CONT - Continue | |
MR - Magic ring | |
Terms with the same meaning are placed in cells next to each other, making it easier for you to translate patterns. While UK and US terms differ in basic stitches, many general instructions such as “continue” and “repeat” remain the same. Terms that are identical in both US and UK terminology are placed in a merged, shared cell.
What are Crochet Symbols?
In addition to written instructions, many patterns include crochet charts. These visual representations use symbols to depict stitches and their arrangement within a design. Crochet charts can be particularly helpful for visual learners, providing a clear roadmap of the project. However, deciphering these charts requires familiarity with the specific set of symbols used to represent different stitches.
The Crochet Symbol Table is a helpful and reliable resource for understanding various crochet symbols. By assisting you in decoding crochet charts as you learn, the symbol table enables beginners to tackle crochet charts and schematics with ease!
Crochet Symbol Table
Symbol | US terminology | UK terminology |
 | Chain | Chain |
 | Slip stitch | Slip stitch |
 | Single crochet | Double crochet |
 | Half double crochet | Half treble crochet |
 | Double crochet | Treble crochet |
 | Treble crochet | Double treble crochet |
 | SC increase | DC increase |
 | SC decrease | DC decrease |
 | DC increase | TR increase |
 | DC decrease | TR decrease |
 | CH3 picot | CH3 picot |
 | Front post DC | Raised TR front |
 | Back post DC | Raised TR back |
 | Back loop only | Back loop only |
 | Front loop only | Front loop only |
As there aren’t specific symbols to annotate increases and decreases, the table includes samples of both single crochet and double crochet (US terms) increases and decreases. Increases are depicted by drawing multiples of a specific stitch worked into one stitch, while decreases are represented as multiple stitches worked together into one. As you can see, crochet schematics are quite literal, making it easy to decipher instructions and recreate a design based on just a few symbols!
Reading Crochet Patterns
Whether you’re following a written pattern or a crochet schematic, just abbreviations and symbols might not be enough to understand all the intricacies of a pattern. If you’re seeking a more in depth guide to understanding crochet patterns, check out our How to Read Crochet Patterns 101. This comprehensive tutorial offers more of a step-by-step approach to reading and understanding different types of crochet patterns.
Conclusion
The value of understanding and utilising crochet abbreviations and symbols cannot be overstated, as both are foundational knowledge when it comes to crocheting. Accessible tables not only simplify the learning process for beginners but also support experienced crocheters in navigating complex patterns and freshening up on previous knowledge. By incorporating these tables into their practice, crocheters can enhance their efficiency, accuracy, and hone their skills with ease.
