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Crochet Abbreviations Chart: US and UK Terms Side by Side
Crochet patterns use short abbreviations like ch (chain), sc (single crochet) and dc (double crochet). US and UK patterns use the same words for different stitches: US single crochet is UK double crochet, so always check which system a pattern is written in.
Updated:
- US sc = UK dc; US hdc = UK htr; US dc = UK tr; US tr = UK dtr.
- If a pattern mentions single crochet (sc) anywhere, it is in US terms; UK patterns have no single crochet.
- Yarn over (yo) is written yrh (yarn round hook) in older UK patterns, and skip (sk) is written miss.
- Gauge (US) is called tension (UK).
- Asterisks (*) and brackets [ ] mark sections to repeat; numbers in parentheses at the end of a line are stitch counts.
US vs UK stitch names
| 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 crochet | tr | double treble | dtr |
| double treble | dtr | triple treble | trtr |
| yarn over | yo | yarn round hook / yarn over | yrh / yo |
| skip | sk | miss | – |
| gauge | – | tension | – |
Common crochet abbreviations (US)
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| beg | beginning |
| BLO / FLO | back loop only / front loop only |
| BPdc / FPdc | back post / front post double crochet |
| CC / MC | contrasting color / main color |
| dec | decrease (work 2 stitches together) |
| inc | increase (2 stitches in one stitch) |
| lp(s) | loop(s) |
| MR | magic ring |
| pm | place marker |
| 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) |
| tog | together |
| tch | turning chain |
| ch-sp | chain space, e.g. ch-2 sp |
Symbols and punctuation in written patterns
- * (asterisk): repeat the instructions after the asterisk as directed, e.g. “*sc in next st, inc; rep from * around.”
- [ ] or ( ) brackets: a group to repeat a set number of times, e.g. “[2 dc, ch 1] 3 times”, or a group of stitches worked into the same stitch or space, e.g. “(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp.”
- Number at the end in parentheses: the stitch count you should have after that row or round, e.g. (24).
- × or “times”: how many times to repeat the group.
- “In next st” vs “in next sp”: a stitch is worked into the top of a stitch; a space is worked under a chain.
How to tell if a pattern uses US or UK terms
- Look for a note near the materials list; most designers state “US terms” or “UK terms”.
- Search the pattern for sc or single crochet. It only exists in US terms.
- Look for htr, miss, tension or yrh; these are UK clues.
- Check the hook size: older UK patterns may use numbered UK hook sizes, US patterns letters and numbers (e.g. H-8).
- If you are still unsure, crochet a small swatch of the first rows. A UK pattern worked in US stitches comes out noticeably taller than its photo.
Converting a pattern from UK to US terms
Convert the stitch names one step down: UK dc becomes US sc, UK htr becomes US hdc, UK tr becomes US dc, UK dtr becomes US tr. Chains, slip stitches and stitch counts stay the same.
The easiest method is to print or copy the pattern and rewrite every stitch name before you start, rather than converting in your head while crocheting. Highlight each conversion so you do not convert the same stitch twice.
Watch out for dc and tr in particular: they appear in both systems with different meanings, so a quick find-and-replace can go wrong. Convert from the tallest stitch down (dtr first, then tr, then htr, then dc) so you never rename a stitch you already converted.
Reading an abbreviated line: a worked example
Here is a typical amigurumi line in US terms and what it means in plain English:
Rnd 4: *sc in next 2 sts, inc; rep from * 5 more times. (24)
- Rnd 4: this is the fourth round, worked in a circle rather than back and forth.
- sc in next 2 sts: work one single crochet into each of the next two stitches.
- inc: work two single crochet into the following stitch.
- rep from * 5 more times: go back to the asterisk and do the same sequence again, five more times, for six repeats in total.
- (24): you should end the round with 24 stitches. If you do not, find the repeat that went wrong before moving on.
The same line in UK terms would read “*dc in next 2 sts, inc; rep from * 5 more times (24)”. The fabric is identical; only the stitch name changed.
Yarny breaks every pattern into simple steps, and the “I need help” button under each step opens an AI helper you can ask what an abbreviation means. With Cozy Plus, you can import a photo or PDF of a pattern and turn it into a clean step-by-step tutorial.
Frequently asked questions
What does sc mean in crochet?
Sc means single crochet in US terms: insert the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops. The same stitch is called double crochet (dc) in UK patterns.
What does dc mean in crochet?
In US patterns dc is double crochet, a tall stitch made with one yarn over before inserting the hook. In UK patterns dc is double crochet too, but it is the short stitch that Americans call single crochet.
What does inc and dec mean in crochet?
Inc means increase: work 2 stitches into the same stitch to add one. Dec means decrease: work 2 stitches together into one to remove one. Patterns usually specify which stitch, such as sc2tog.
What does sk mean in a crochet pattern?
Sk is short for skip: leave the next stitch unworked and go to the following one. UK patterns write this as miss.
Are crochet chart symbols the same in US and UK patterns?
Yes. Chart symbols are drawn the same way regardless of terms, which is why charts are useful for patterns written in another language or terminology.