Crochet Abbreviations: US Terms Chart & Cheat Sheet

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Crochet abbreviations are short codes for stitches and actions, such as ch for chain, sc for single crochet and dc for double crochet. The catch is that US and UK patterns use the same names for different stitches: a UK double crochet is a US single crochet. Check which terms your pattern uses before you start.

The 5 abbreviations you need first

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet (UK: dc)
hdc – half double crochet (UK: htr)
dc – double crochet (UK: tr)

US vs UK stitch names

The stitches are identical; only the names change. UK names count the loops differently, so each UK name is one step “taller” than the US name.

US term	US abbr.	UK term	UK abbr.
chain	ch	chain	ch
slip stitch	sl st	slip stitch	ss
single crochet	sc	double crochet	dc
half double crochet	hdc	half treble	htr
double crochet	dc	treble	tr
treble (triple) crochet	tr	double treble	dtr
double treble	dtr	triple treble	trtr
skip	sk	miss	–
yarn over	yo	yarn over hook / yarn round hook	yoh / yrh
gauge	–	tension	–

How to tell US from UK: if a pattern uses sc anywhere, it is US. UK patterns have no single crochet. Many UK patterns also say “tension” instead of “gauge”.

Full crochet abbreviations list (US)

Abbreviation	Meaning
approx	approximately
beg	beginning
BLO	back loop only
BP (BPdc)	back post (back post double crochet)
ch-sp	chain space
cl	cluster
dec	decrease
FLO	front loop only
FP (FPdc)	front post (front post double crochet)
inc	increase (2 stitches in one stitch)
lp(s)	loop(s)
MR	magic ring (also magic circle)
pm	place marker
rem	remaining
rep	repeat
rnd(s)	round(s)
RS / WS	right side / wrong side
sc2tog	single crochet 2 together (a decrease)
dc2tog	double crochet 2 together
sp(s)	space(s)
st(s)	stitch(es)
tbl	through back loop
tog	together
yo	yarn over

Symbols you will see in patterns

* (asterisk): repeat the instructions after the * as many times as stated. “*sc in next st, ch 1; rep from * across” means keep repeating to the end.
( ) parentheses: work everything inside into one stitch or space, e.g. “(sc, dc) in next st”, or a stitch count at the end of a row.
[ ] brackets: repeat the group the number of times given, e.g. “[sc, ch 1] 3 times”.
(12) at the end of a row: the number of stitches you should have.

Read a pattern line: worked example

Row 2: ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, *sk next st, (sc, dc) in next st; rep from * to last st, sc in last st. (19)

Chain 1 and turn your work.
Work a single crochet into the first stitch.
Skip a stitch, then work a single crochet and a double crochet into the next one. Keep repeating that until one stitch is left.
Single crochet in the last stitch. You should have 19 stitches.

Practise the basic stitches with our beginner lesson, single crochet guide and half double crochet guide.

Frequently asked questions

What does sc mean in crochet?

Sc means single crochet in US terms. In UK patterns the same stitch is called double crochet (dc).

Is dc the same in US and UK crochet?

No. US dc is double crochet; UK dc is the US single crochet. A US double crochet is called a treble (tr) in the UK.

How do I know if a pattern uses US or UK terms?

Look for sc. If single crochet appears, the pattern is in US terms. Many patterns also state the terms near the materials list.

What does BLO mean in crochet?

BLO means back loop only: insert your hook under the back loop of the stitch instead of both loops. It makes stretchy ribs.

What does an asterisk mean in a crochet pattern?

It marks the start of a repeat. Work the instructions after the * again as many times as the pattern says.