Crochet Abbreviations
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| Symbol | Definition |
|---|---|
| [ ] | Work instructions within brackets as many times as directed. Example: [ch 2, sk 1 ch] 4 times means: [chain 2 then skip 1 chain]then repeat that process 4 times. Example: [ch 5, sk 2 ch, sc] 2 times more means: [chain 5, skip 2 chains then single crochet in the next stitch] then repeat that process 2 more times for a total of 3 times. |
| ( ) | Work instructions within parentheses together. Example: (sc 2, ch 1) in ch 3 loop means: single crochet twice then chain 1) all in the same chain 3 loop |
| Note: | Sometimes [ ] are used in place of ( ) when parentheses are used in explanation. Example: ch 4 (counts as first double crochet and chain 1) - this pattern would use [ ] to group the instructions together. Example: [sc 2, ch 1] in ch 3 sp means: [single crochet twice and chain 1] all in the same chain 3 space. [ ] and ( ) can also be used when trying to give multiple size instructions at once. Example: S (M, L) Sweater pattern: work 86 (96, 106) sc means: work 86 single crochet for small, work 96 single crochet for medium, or work 106 single crochet for large. The pattern will define sizing in the beginning. Or when giving a stitch count total at the end of the set of instructions. Example: Row 2: 2 sc in each sc across, turn. (10) Row 3: 2 sc in each sc across, turn. [20] |
| * | Repeat instructions as directed. Example: ch 1, *dc, ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 5 times in ch 3 sp, rep from * dc, ch 1, dc, turn. Means: chain 1, *double crochet, chain 1, (do the double crochet, chain 1) 5 times in chain 3 space, repeat that process from* to * again, then double crochet, chain 1, double crochet in the last two stitches on the row, and turn your work. If this pattern were given for a blanket, or something large, you would continue to repeat between the * and * until you had two stitches left on the row, then you would complete the double crochet, chain 1, double crochet, and turn your work. |
| ** | Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or just repeat given instructions. (This is basically the same as a single *, but it is usually used when there are multiple repeats of a pattern on a row. Personally, I think they do this to see if it will make us blind or crazy!!) Example: ch 3, *sc, ch 1, **dc, ch 1** 6 times, rep from* across, sc in last stitch, turn. Means: chain 3, *single crochet, chain 1, **the double crochet, and chain 1** will be repeated 6 times, then you would start over from the * with single crochet, chain 1, repeating double crochet, chain 1, 6 times, etc... This will be repeated across to the last stitch where you will end with a single crochet, and turn your work. |
Common Crochet Abbreviations
| Abbrev. | Definition |
|---|---|
| bl | back loop |
| beg | begin/beginning |
| CC | contrasting color |
| ch | chain stitch |
| ch-sp or ch sp | chain space |
| dc | double crochet |
| dec | decrease/decreases/decreasing |
| fl | front loop |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| inc | increase/increases/increasing |
| lp(s) | loop(s) |
| MC | main color |
| pm | place marker |
| rem | remain/remaining |
| rep | repeat(s) |
| rnd(s) | round(s) |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| sk | skip |
| sl st or ss | slip stitch |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tfl | through front loop |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble crochet |
| tch or t-ch | turning chain |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
Once you have mastered the basics of crochet, you can move on confidently to the more advanced stitches. I’m not sure why people even call them “advanced”. Once you break them down, they really are as simple as the single crochet!
More “Advanced” Crochet Abbreviations
| Symbol | Definition |
|---|---|
| bo | bobble (sometimes referred to as a popcorn stitch) |
| cl | cluster |
| dc2tog | double crochet two stitches together |
| dc3tog | double crochet three stitches together |
| dtr | double treble |
| exdc | extended double crochet |
| exsc | extended single crochet |
| htr | half treble crochet |
| htr2tog | half treble crochet two stitches together |
| pop, pc or p | popcorn (pc or p can also stand for picot - pattern will usually indicate) |
| pc or p | picot(pc or p can also stand for popcorn - pattern will usually indicate) |
| rb | raised back |
| rbdc | raised back double crochet (one double crochet around back of stem) |
| rbdtr | raised back double treble crochet (one double treble crochet around back of stem) |
| rbtr | raised back treble crochet (one treble crochet around back of stem) |
| rf | raised front |
| rfdc | raised front double crochet (one double crochet around front of stem) |
| rfdtr | raised front double treble crochet (one double treble crochet around front of stem) |
| rftr | raised front treble crochet (one treble crochet around front of stem) |
| trtr or ttr | triple treble crochet |
| yoh | yarn over hook |
| yrh | yarn round hook |
Most patterns in the United States are written with American crochet abbreviations. But there are some very beautiful English patterns out there, as well. So below are some American terms with their English equivalents.
American vs. English Equivalent
Crochet Abbreviations
| American Description | English Equivalent | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| dc | double crochet | tr | treble crochet |
| dtr | double treble crochet | trtr or ttr | triple treble crochet |
| exsc | extended single crochet | exdc | extended double crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet | htr | half treble crochet |
| sc | single crochet | dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet | dtr | double treble crochet |
Click here to download PDF file
At first this “code” can seem quite intimidating, but after a few patterns you’ll have it cracked. Just keep at it and don't give up. Soon you’ll be reading crochet abbreviations like a bilingual pro!!
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