How to Read Crochet Abbreviations (US vs UK Terms)

Crochet patterns are written in short abbreviations, and the same abbreviation can mean a different stitch in US and UK patterns. In a US pattern, dc is double crochet; in a UK pattern, dc is the stitch Americans call single crochet. Learn the common abbreviations, then check which terms your pattern uses.

The most common abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet (US)
• hdc: half double crochet (US)
• dc: double crochet (US) / single crochet's UK name
• tr: treble crochet (US) / double crochet's UK name
• inc: increase, two stitches in the same stitch
• dec, sc2tog: decrease, work two stitches together into one
• MR: magic ring
• BLO / FLO: back loop only / front loop only
• FPdc / BPdc: front post / back post double crochet
• yo: yarn over
• sk: skip
• sp: space, rnd: round, rep: repeat, beg: beginning, RS / WS: right side / wrong side

US vs UK crochet terms

UK names count the yarn overs differently, so every basic stitch except chain and slip stitch is one step "taller" in name:

• US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)
• US half double crochet (hdc) = UK half treble (htr)
• US double crochet (dc) = UK treble (tr)
• US treble (tr) = UK double treble (dtr)
• US skip = UK miss, US gauge = UK tension, US yarn over (yo) = UK yarn round hook (yrh)

How to tell which terms a pattern uses

• Look for a note near the top: "US terms" or "UK terms".
• If the pattern uses sc or single crochet, it is US: UK terms have no single crochet.
• If it uses htr, miss or tension, it is UK.
• A pattern whose first round is only "dc" is ambiguous. Check the photo: short, dense stitches suggest UK dc (US sc).

Reading the symbols

• *...* or *... ; rep from *: repeat the part after the asterisk as told, for example "*sc, inc; rep from * 6 times".
• ( ) or [ ]: a group worked together, or worked into one stitch: "(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp".
• (24 sts) at the end: the stitch count after that row or round.

See it in the app

In Hooknest you paste any pattern and tap an abbreviation to see what it means, with the US and UK name side by side. The tools tab has a US/UK terms chart and an abbreviations list, and it works offline with no account.

Is UK double crochet the same as US double crochet?

No. UK double crochet (dc) is US single crochet (sc). US double crochet is UK treble (tr). Check which terms the pattern uses before you start.

What does inc mean in crochet?

Increase: work two stitches into the same stitch, which adds one stitch to the row or round. A pattern may write it as "2 sc in next st".

What does sc2tog mean?

Single crochet two together, a decrease: insert into the next stitch and pull up a loop, insert into the following stitch and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all three loops. Two stitches become one.

What do the numbers in brackets at the end of a row mean?

That is the stitch count, the number of stitches you should have at the end of that row or round, like (24 sts). Count your work and compare.