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

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  2. sophia says:

    I am trying to make the ruffle scarf. and I am confused on row 2 it says to 2 tr in each tr across. I know how to make a tr stitch but what does it mean in a tr?

  3. Sophia says:

    Oh I think I get it so instead of me tr in the chain we are using the word treble stitch and doing the same?Sorry to if I am being difficult

    • Rachel says:

      That’s right! In row 1 you are working into the chain, but in the remaining rows you are working into the previous rows, which are no longer chains, but treble stitches. You are creating the same stitch.

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  7. cindy hamm says:

    I’m hoping someone can please help me…..found a pretty pattern for earrings. They looked easy enuf to make, are beaded, very pretty. I have crocheted many hard patterns, tested patterns for a woman who designed her own, etc. but am completely stuck here.

    the directions state : “dc loop”……I have no clue as to what this means. Doesn’t say dc loop stitch….thinking that may mean double crochet loop stitch. But this, to me wouldn’t pertain to a pattern for earrings. A loop chain is normally made on a row of single crochet. Just doesn’t make sense, and the woman who writes the blog which contains the pattern is not available to answer my question. Can someone pls help? I’ve tried making just one earring so many times and it NEVER comes out right. Thank you. If you need to see the pattern, I could share it, to an email or give you the website name to put in your browser. I’ve searched high and low under crochet terms in my books, on the net and there is no dc loop anywhere. THANK you in advance. I would really like to make these earrings but it’s getting more and more frustrating, have spent close to 15.00 in materials as I was going to make them as gifts in 2 different colors.
    Cindy

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Cindy, I’m not sure if I can help you, as I’m not sure what the designer is trying to say with “dc loop” either. I would guess that the designer herself would be the best person to ask, but as you mentioned she’s not available. Maybe the “dc loop” is referring to a place where you are to insert your crochet hook? Maybe there are different loops on a dc she is referring to? Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, if it was a pattern on Crochet Spot I would definitely be able to help you much better since these are our patterns. Maybe you can find a similar earring pattern to use instead?

  8. Rachel M. says:

    Hey, so I’m trying to make mittens and I’ve just started the part with the thumb. The instructions for this row are:
    “Ch 1. 1 sc in each of first 9 sc. Ch 1. Miss next 11 sc. 1 sc in each of next 15 sc. 25 sts. Turn.”
    I have two questions:
    1. Is “miss” the same as skip? So would I skip 11 sc?
    2. What does “25 sts” mean? I mean, I know “sts” means stitches, but I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do.

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Rachel, miss is the same thing as skip. To skip 11 sc, you would count the next 11 sc stitches and then make your next stitch into the stitch after the 11 you skipped. “25 sts” seems to be the total stitch count for the pattern. Normal patterns will put a colon before the stitch count, but I guess not in this pattern. The stitch count basically just tells you how many stitches were made in that row.

  9. Amy says:

    can someone explain this part of a pattern to me. I’m a beginner and only making a dish cloth.The pattern says

    Ch 32.
    Row 1 (right side): Sc in second ch from hook,*ch 2, skip next 2 chs, sc in next ch; repeat from * across:
    11 sc and 10 ch-2 sps.

    Ok I get the first part but what does the 11 sc and10 ch-2 mean? When I do the pattern ch 32 to get my start then I do the row 1 instructions but when done I don’t come up with 11 sc and 10 ch2 sps so I’m not sure if I am doing it correctly.

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Amy, the “11 sc and 10 ch-2sps” is the stitch count. After you do the instructions for row 1, you should have a total of 11 single crochets stitches and 10 spaces that were made by chaining 2. Make sure you’re not skipping any stitches or adding any extra stitches by accident.

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  16. kim says:

    how do i do the tog step in the slouch hat

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  20. elizabeth says:

    What is: DK weight yarn?

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  28. MJ says:

    Hi, I simply love your website and your patterns and I have purchased two so far 🙂 but I had a question about the crochet types/stiches as i always get confused with the Single, Double and Treble Crochet. I am from Sydney/Australia and I think here and the UK use them differently to the US is that right? As in i think the US SC is a UK DC? is that right? and if so how can I tell and how would I know which is which when I’m reading the patterns because the books can be from either country or is the only way to know is to find out where the book/pattern is from?
    I would really appreciate your help as I always get confused and not sure if I’m doing the right stich for them.
    Thanks heaps and have a lovely day 🙂

    • Rachel says:

      Hi MJ, all the patterns on this site are in the U.S. abbreviations. If you’re looking at a pattern and you’re not sure where it’s from, most of the time you can look a the picture and tell what stitch it is or you can read the pattern and it might not make sense for it be a certain stitch in U.K. so you’ll know it’s suppose to be U.S. or vice versa. If you’re still not sure if they are written in U.S. or U.K. then you can try and ask the designer.

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  31. Debra says:

    help with a st. what is a crdc crossed double crochet

    • Rachel says:

      Hi Debra, I believe a crossed double crochet is when you skip a stitch, make a double crochet into the next stitch, then go back and make a double crochet into the stitch your skipped crossing over the first double crochet you made.

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