Crochet Abbreviations

By Rachel Choi – 252 Comments
Abbreviation
Description
[ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
* repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
* * repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
: instructions after (to the right of) the colon indicates the total stitch count for the row
alt alternate
approx approximately
beg begin/beginning
bet between
BL back loop(s)
bo bobble
BP back post
BPdc back post double crochet
BPsc back post single crochet
BPtr back post treble crochet
CA color A
CB color B
CC contrasting color
ch chain stitch
ch- refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space
ch-sp chain space, the space made by the chain
CL cluster
cm centimeter(s)
cont continue
dc double crochet
dc2tog double crochet 2 stitches together
dec decrease/decreases/decreasing
dtr double treble
FL front loop(s)
foll follow/follows/following
FP front post
FPdc front post double crochet
FPsc front post single crochet
FPtr front post treble crochet
g gram
hdc half double crochet
inc increase/increases/increasing
lp(s) loops
m meter(s)
MC main color
mm millimeter(s)
oz ounce(s)
p picot
pat(s) or patt pattern(s)
pc popcorn
pm place marker
prev previous
rem remain/remaining
rep repeat(s)
rnd(s) round(s)
RS right side
sc single crochet
sc2tog single crochet 2 stitches together
sk skip
sl st slip sitich
sp(s) space(s)
st(s) stitch(es)
tch or t-ch turning chain
tbl through back loop
tog together
tr treble crochet
trtr triple treble crochet
WS wrong side
yd(s) yard(s)
yo yarn over
yoh yarn over hook

Feel free to leave a comment if there are crochet abbreviations that are missing or if you need further explanation of an abbreviation. Your input is greatly appreciated!

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252 Comments

  1. BLO=Back Loop Only
    FLO=Front Loop Only

  2. Toni D says:

    I came across an abbreviation the other day that I had never encountered.

    LDC = Linked Double Crochet

    I found a video on YouTube that explained it quite well by crochetnmore.

    This stitch makes a very nice solid fabric, I fell in love with it!

  3. Wineplz says:

    I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what is meant by “R1”, as in, “Ch 46 
R1. Sc in second ch from hook, and ea. sc across. 
Work 13 rows sc, repeating r1.” Does it simply mean “row 1” and they just have horrible formatting? Or is it something else?

  4. becky says:

    Hi
    I was just wondering are your patterns written using US or UK crochet terminology?
    I did have a bit of a look round i may have missed it if you did state which you are using

  5. becky says:

    Thank you very much for taking time to awnser my question 🙂

  6. Mary Simon says:

    I have enjoyed this pattern and anxious to try to crochet it.

  7. swarna says:

    hi ,if we skip 1 stitch how can the row stiches same count as 24 (lines 4 -8)

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hello! Somewhere on the row you’re probably adding another stitch. If you are using a pattern on Crochet Spot, let me know which one and I can take a closer look at it for you.

  8. Victoria says:

    Thank you so much for this. I am a new coming crocheter, so this abbreviations list really helps.

  9. Victoria says:

    Hi Rachel can you post a pattern for a dolphin? Oh and how do you do a popcorn stitch?

  10. Victoria says:

    Hi rachel do you have any FREE beanie patterns?

  11. Janet says:

    Hi. thank you for the abr. chart, but have come across one in a pattern I have been working on…YP…YPO…I am so confused and have spent an hour online looking. Can you help me?

    • Rachel Choi says:

      Hi Janet, sorry I haven’t come across that abbreviation before. If you haven’t already, try to check the beginning of your pattern since there usually are special stitch definitions there. You can also try to contact the designer of the pattern if you can. Best of luck with your search!

      • Janet says:

        Thanks, we figured it had something to do with cross stitch since we were putting the face pieces on a turkey potholder. Thank you for answering my question.

  12. Trilby says:

    Hi,

    Can you please help. Here is where I get lost ch-2 space (4 dc,ch2,dc) all in next ch-2 space. It is the ch-2 space I do not understand.

    I love your sight. This is only my third piece.

  13. Wineplz says:

    would love to see fsc (foundation single crochet), fdc (foundation double crochet) and fhdc (foundation half double crochet) along with your fabulous tutorials on it. I have a book that has them listed that I use when I’m at home, but I don’t usually bring it with me, so in those cases I use your site. 🙂

  14. Marie says:

    Can you make this into a downloadable PDF so it can be printed and be at our desk side to look up if needed for the patterns.

    TY for the consideration

  15. Linda says:

    What is frogging?

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