Crochet Abbreviations Explained: A Complete List for Beginners

Crochet patterns look like they're written in a secret code. Sc, dc, hdc, sl st, ch, inc, dec, BLO, FLO — these aren't typos or keyboard smashes. They're abbreviations for the stitches and techniques you'll use in every project. Designers use them because writing "single crochet in the next stitch, then chain one, then skip the next stitch" for a forty-row blanket pattern would fill a novel. Abbreviations keep patterns compact and scannable once you know the language.

Learning crochet abbreviations is like learning the vocabulary of a new language. At first, you'll reference a chart constantly, translating each abbreviation back to its full meaning. After a few projects, the most common ones become automatic. Your eyes see "sc2tog" and your brain knows "single crochet two together, a decrease" without conscious translation. This guide is your reference for that learning process — a complete list of standard US crochet abbreviations with plain-English explanations, organized logically so you can find what you need without scrolling through a chaotic alphabetical soup.

How Crochet Abbreviations Work

Almost all crochet patterns in English use the same standardized set of abbreviations established by the Craft Yarn Council. Individual designers may add a few unique abbreviations for special stitches, but the core vocabulary is consistent across publishers, websites, and yarn brands. If you learn the standard abbreviations, you can read 95% of crochet patterns without needing the abbreviation key.

The system is logical. Stitch names abbreviate to their initials: single crochet becomes "sc," double crochet becomes "dc." Actions abbreviate similarly: increase becomes "inc," decrease becomes "dec," skip becomes "sk." Modifiers follow: back loop only becomes "BLO," front loop only becomes "FLO." Once you understand this pattern, you can often guess unfamiliar abbreviations from context.

Patterns should include an abbreviation key for any non-standard terms, usually at the beginning of the pattern or in a sidebar. If you encounter an abbreviation you don't recognize and it's not in the pattern's key, it may be a designer-specific term — check the pattern notes or the designer's website for clarification.

Basic Stitch Abbreviations

These are the foundation stitches you'll encounter in every beginner pattern. Memorize these first.

• ch — chain. The most basic stitch. Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
• ch- — refers to a specific chain stitch. "Ch-3" means the third chain from the hook, or a chain space made of 3 chains depending on context.
• ch-sp — chain space. The gap or hole created by chaining one or more stitches in the previous row or round.
• sc — single crochet. Insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc — half double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• dc — double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
• tr — treble crochet (sometimes called triple crochet). Yarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through two loops) three times.
• dtr — double treble crochet. Yarn over three times, then work similarly to tr with an extra pull-through step.
• trtr — triple treble crochet. Yarn over four times. Rarely used in beginner patterns.
• sl st — slip stitch. Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook in one motion. Used for joining, moving yarn across stitches, and creating surface texture.

Increase and Decrease Abbreviations

Shaping uses these abbreviations to tell you where to add or remove stitches.

• inc — increase. Work two stitches into the same stitch. Typically implies two single crochet in one stitch when working in single crochet.
• dec — decrease. Combine two stitches into one. Method varies by stitch type; see the specific stitch abbreviation.
• sc2tog — single crochet two together. The standard single crochet decrease. Insert hook in first stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• hdc2tog — half double crochet two together. Decrease in half double crochet.
• dc2tog — double crochet two together. Decrease in double crochet. Sometimes called a double crochet cluster.
• sc3tog — single crochet three together. Decrease across three stitches, reducing three stitches to one.
• dc3tog — double crochet three together.

Loop and Placement Abbreviations

These tell you which part of the stitch to work into. They're essential for creating texture, ribbing, and specific fabric effects.

• BLO — back loop only. Insert your hook under only the back loop (the strand farther from you) of the stitch.
• FLO — front loop only. Insert your hook under only the front loop (the strand closer to you) of the stitch.
• both loops — the default. Insert hook under both the front and back loops of the stitch. Usually not abbreviated; patterns assume both loops unless specified otherwise.
• 3rd loop — specific to half double crochet. There's an extra horizontal loop below the back loop. Working into it creates specific textures.
• back bar or back bump — the horizontal ridge on the back of a foundation chain. Working into it creates a cleaner bottom edge.

Action and Instruction Abbreviations

These words tell you what to do, not what stitch to make.

• YO — yarn over. Wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front. This is an action, not a stitch.
• sk — skip. Pass over the indicated number of stitches without working into them.
• sp — space. The gap between stitches or the opening created by chains.
• rep — repeat. Go back to the indicated point and work the instructions again.
• beg — beginning. Refers to the start of a row or round. "Join to beg ch" means join to the first chain you made.
• rem — remaining. "Sc in rem sts" means work single crochet into whatever stitches are left.
• tog — together. Used in decrease abbreviations (sc2tog, dc2tog). Means combining stitches.
• cont — continue. Keep doing what you were doing.
• patt — pattern. "Work in patt" means continue the established stitch pattern.
• prev — previous. "Prev row" means the row you just completed.
• RS — right side. The side of the fabric intended to face outward.
• WS — wrong side. The side intended to face inward or toward the back.
• foll — following. "Foll row" means the next row.
• alt — alternate. Every other one.

Pattern Structure Abbreviations

These indicate how instructions are organized and repeated across rows or rounds.

• * (asterisk) — Marks the start of a repeat section. Everything between the * and the phrase "rep from *" gets repeated.
• ** (double asterisk) — Used for repeats within repeats. The pattern might say "rep from * to **" to indicate a shorter repeat.
• () (parentheses) — Multiple uses: groups stitches worked into the same location, indicates stitch counts at row ends, encloses size variations, or groups repeat sequences with a multiplier.
• [] (brackets) — Similar to parentheses, often used for repeats or groupings when parentheses are already in use for other purposes.
• × or times — Indicates how many times to repeat a sequence. "(Sc, inc) × 6" means work the sc-then-inc sequence six times.

Stitch Pattern Abbreviations

Specific stitch combinations have their own abbreviations in some patterns:

• shell — Multiple stitches (usually 3-5 double crochet) worked into the same stitch or space, creating a fan or shell shape.
• cl or cluster — Multiple partial stitches joined at the top. Similar to a decrease but worked into the same stitch or adjacent stitches depending on the pattern.
• V-st — V-stitch. Typically (dc, ch 1, dc) or similar combination worked into the same stitch or space.
• puff st — Puff stitch. Multiple half-finished stitches worked into the same stitch and joined at the top, creating a puffy texture.
• bobble — Similar to a puff stitch but typically worked from the wrong side and finished differently.
• popcorn — Multiple completed stitches worked into the same stitch, then joined at the top to create a protruding bump.
• FP — front post. "FPdc" means front post double crochet — work around the post of the stitch from front to back to front.
• BP — back post. "BPdc" means back post double crochet — work around the post from back to front to back.

Common Phrases and Their Meanings

Patterns use certain phrases consistently. Understanding them prevents confusion.

• "Join with sl st to first st" — Insert hook into the first stitch of the round, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook. This closes the round into a ring.
• "Ch 3 (counts as first dc)" — Your chain-3 turning chain is acting as the first double crochet of the row. Skip the first stitch and work into the second stitch because the chain-3 occupies the first stitch position.
• "Work even" — Continue without increasing or decreasing. Same stitch count each row or round.
• "Fasten off" — Cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and pull it through the last loop on your hook to secure.
• "Weave in ends" — Thread the yarn tail onto a needle and sew it through the fabric to hide and secure it.
• "Block to measurements" — Wet or steam your finished piece and pin it to the specified dimensions to set the shape.
• "Turn" — Flip your work over to start the next row from the other side.
• "Do not turn" — Continue working in the same direction. Common in round patterns and some specialty techniques.

US vs. UK Terms: Why It Matters

The abbreviations above are US terms, which are the standard for most patterns published in North America and widely used online. UK crochet terms use the same abbreviations but mean different stitches. This is a notorious source of beginner confusion.

The critical difference: in UK terms, there is no "single crochet." What the US calls single crochet, the UK calls double crochet. What the US calls double crochet, the UK calls treble crochet. The UK system shifts everything up by one level.

US Term	UK Term
single crochet (sc)	double crochet (dc)
half double crochet (hdc)	half treble crochet (htr)
double crochet (dc)	treble crochet (tr)
treble crochet (tr)	double treble crochet (dtr)
double treble crochet (dtr)	triple treble crochet (trtr)
slip stitch (sl st)	slip stitch (sl st) — same in both
chain (ch)	chain (ch) — same in both

Always check which system a pattern uses before you start. Most patterns will state "US terms" or "UK terms" near the materials list or abbreviation key. If the pattern mentions "single crochet" anywhere, it's US terms — that stitch doesn't exist in UK terminology. If the pattern mentions "treble" frequently for stitches that seem short, it's probably UK terms.

How to Learn Abbreviations Without Memorizing

You don't need to memorize this entire list. You need reference access to it. Here's how to use it practically:

• Bookmark this guide. Reference it when you encounter unfamiliar abbreviations.
• Keep a printed abbreviation chart in your project bag. The Craft Yarn Council offers free printable abbreviation charts.
• Patterns include their own keys. For any abbreviation not listed here, check the pattern's specific key. Designers define unique abbreviations in their pattern notes.
• Context reveals meaning. If you see "sc2tog" and know "sc" means single crochet and "tog" means together, you can deduce it's a decrease even if you've never seen the abbreviation before.

After three to five projects, the core abbreviations will be automatic. Until then, reference freely. No crocheter memorized these all at once.

For patterns that use these abbreviations in clear, beginner-friendly contexts, the free crochet patterns for beginners collection is designed with accessible language. The what a crochet stitch actually looks like guide connects abbreviations to the actual stitch structures in your fabric.