Crochet Terms & Abbreviations
There are many crochet terms, and even I sometimes get them a little mixed up occasionally. To make matters worse, there are crochet abbreviations for those crochet terms and quite a few of them look extremely similar to each other.
Crochet abbreviations are easy ways for crochet pattern writers to simplify their patterns. Think of it as a crochet shorthand of sorts. Many crochet designers, publishers, and crochet companies will use abbreviations when referring to crochet stitches in their project patterns.
I use these crochet stitch abbreviations in almost all of my blog posts, patterns, and reference guides. So not only is it important to have an understanding of these crochet terms for reading and working my patterns (😉), but it's also important to learn these crochet abbreviations to be able to read any future crochet patterns you may come across with ease.
Complete List of Crochet Terms and Abbreviations
Crochet Abbreviations for Crochet Actions & Common Terms
Crochet patterns don't only have abbreviations for crochet stitches, but also for crochet actions and common terms. The following table lists crochet abbreviations for crochet actions and common crochet words and terms found in crochet patterns.
Crochet Abbreviation | Crochet Term |
alt | alternate |
approx | approximately |
beg | begin or beginning |
bet | between |
BL or BLO | Back Loop or Back Loop Only |
BP | Back Post |
CA | Color A |
CB | Color B |
CC | Contrasting Color |
con or cont | continue |
dec | decrease |
FL or FLO | Front Loop or Front Loop Only |
foll | Following |
FP | Front Post |
hk | hook |
inc | increase |
lp | loop |
m | marker |
MC | Main Color |
mm(s) | millimeter(s) |
patt | pattern |
pm | place marker |
prev | previous |
rem | remaining |
rep | repeat |
rnd(s) | round(s) |
RS | Right Side |
sk | skip |
sm/sl m | slip marker or stitch marker |
sp | space |
st(s) | stitch(es) |
TBL | Through Back Loop |
tch or t-ch | turning chain |
TFL | Through Front Loop |
tog | together |
WS | Wrong Side |
yo | yarn over |
Crochet Symbols for Repetition
Oftentimes to simplify a crochet pattern the pattern designer will also use shorthand for repetition of a certain section of the pattern instead of writing it over and over (which can get to be pretty confusing for the reader).
The crochet symbols below are important to know when reading crochet patterns so that you can quickly recognize when something is about to be repeated.
Crochet Abbreviation | Crochet Description |
* | Repeat the instructions after the asterisk or between asterisks as instructed in the pattern |
** | Repeat the instructions between a double set of asterisks as instructed at specified location(s) |
{ } | Work the instructions within the curly brackets as many times as directed |
[ ] | Work the instructions within the square brackets as many times as directed, or this is also used to show a repeat inside of another repeat |
( ) | Work the instructions within the parentheses as many times as directed, or this is also used to show that you will be working a group of stitches into the same stitch or space |
Crochet Abbreviations for Common Crochet Stitches
These are the crochet abbreviations for the most common crochet stitches. All of the abbreviations below are written in US standard terms.
Crochet Abbreviation | Crochet Term |
ch | chain stitch |
ch- | refer to chain or ch-sp previously made |
ch-sp | chain space |
dc | double crochet stitch |
dtr | double treble crochet stitch |
hdc | half double crochet stitch |
mc or mr | magic circle or magic ring (also magic adjustable loop) |
sc | single crochet stitch |
slst or sl or ss | slip stitch |
tr | treble crochet stitch |
trtr | triple treble crochet stitch |
qtr | quadruple treble crochet stitch |
Crochet Abbreviations for Intermediate & Advanced Crochet Stitches
The following crochet terms and crochet abbreviations are more advanced than the common crochet stitches that were listed above. These stitches are typically classified as intermediate, complex, or advanced stitches. These crochet abbreviations are written in US standard terms.
Crochet Abbreviation | Crochet Term |
bo | bobble stitch |
BPdc | Back Post double crochet stitch |
BPdtr | Back Post double treble crochet stitch |
BPhdc | Back Post half double crochet stitch |
BPsc | Back Post single crochet stitch |
BPtr | Back Post treble crochet stitch |
CL | Cluster stitch |
edc | extended double crochet stitch |
ehdc | extended half double crochet stitch |
esc | extended single crochet stitch |
etr | extended treble crochet stitch |
FPdc | Front Post double crochet stitch |
FPdtr | Front Post double treble crochet stitch |
FPhdc | Front Post half double crochet stitch |
FPsc | Front Post single crochet stitch |
FPtr | Front Post treble crochet stitch |
dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
dc3tog | double crochet 3 stitches together |
hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
hdc3tog | half double crochet 3 stitches together |
hhdc | herringbone half double crochet stitch |
pc | popcorn stitch |
ps or puff | puff stitch |
sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
sc3tog | single crochet 3 stitches together |
sh | shell stitch |
tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
tr3tog | treble crochet 3 stitches together |
That is the end of the crochet terms and crochet abbreviations list! Please keep in mind that this list is not all-encompassing, and there may be other abbreviations and stitches that are not listed.
Happy Crocheting!
