Crochet abbreviations
Crochet patterns use abbreviations for almost every stitch and instruction. This page uses US terms, as the Craft Yarn Council’s list does. UK patterns use some of the same abbreviations for different stitches; if your pattern is British, check the US vs UK crochet terms chart first.
Basic stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain stitch |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| trtr | triple treble crochet |
| esc, ehdc, edc, etr | extended single, half double, double, treble crochet |
Increases and decreases
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| inc | increase |
| dec | decrease |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together (removes 1) |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together (removes 1) |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together (removes 1) |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together (removes 1) |
Where to put the hook
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BL or BLO | back loop only |
| FL or FLO | front loop only |
| tbl | through the back loop |
| FP / BP | front post / back post |
| FPdc, BPdc | front post / back post double crochet (also FPsc, FPhdc, FPtr and the BP versions) |
| ch- | a chain or space made earlier, e.g. ch-1 space |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| sp | space |
| sk | skip |
Textured stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| bo | bobble |
| CL | cluster |
| pc | popcorn stitch |
| ps or puff | puff stitch |
| sh | shell |
Pattern instructions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tch or t-ch | turning chain |
| rnd | round |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| * | repeat what follows the asterisk as instructed |
| [ ] or ( ) | work what is inside the brackets as many times as instructed; ( ) can also mean “work all these stitches in the same stitch or space” |
| beg | beginning |
| rem | remaining |
| pm / sm | place marker / slip marker |
| MC / CC | main color / contrasting color |
| yo | yarn over |
Starting a new project? The starting chain calculator tells you how many chains to make and which chain to work into first.
Questions
What does sc2tog mean?
Single crochet 2 stitches together. You work two stitches into one, which removes one stitch.
What is a ch-sp?
A chain space, the gap under one or more chains made in an earlier row. A pattern might say "3 dc in next ch-sp".
What do FP and BP mean?
Front post and back post. You work the stitch around the post of the stitch below, from the front or from the back, instead of into its top loops.
Sources
- Craft Yarn Council, Crochet Abbreviations: abbreviations and meanings. Source: Craft Yarn Council's www.YarnStandards.com
Related
- US vs UK crochet terms
Convert stitch names between US and UK patterns, and spot which one you have.
- Knitting abbreviations
Common knitting pattern abbreviations explained, grouped by type.
- Starting chain calculator
How many chains to make for a crochet blanket or scarf of any width.