Crochet Terms & Abbreviations for Beginners
Crochet abbreviations are a way to shorten a certain crochet stitch name inside patterns. You will find that designers, publishers, and companies will use abbreviations when referring to crochet stitches.
For example, you will learn that (sc) means single crochet, (hdc) means half double crochet and much more in patterns! Once you learn these terms, you will be able to look at any pattern and make it with ease.
I use these crochet stitch abbreviations extensively in my crochet patterns, so understanding these terms is essential when trying to make a crochet project. I know it seems scary at first, but I promise you’ll be able to learn and understand this new crochet language in no time!
Great for Beginners: Print off our Crochet Abbreviation Sheet to use whenever you are crocheting! ⬇
These crochet terms will be broken down by crochet actions, repeating shorthand, as well as basic crochet stitches and advanced crochet stitches too. Once you become familiar with these terms, you’ll be able to read and understand crochet patterns quite well.
Scroll down to learn these must-know crochet terms, so you can read a crochet pattern and start making all the fun crochet projects you want.
Abbreviations for Crochet Actions
To show actions that need to be performed inside a crochet pattern, the following abbreviations are used as shorthand.
| Abbreviation | Crochet Action |
|---|---|
| alt | alternate |
| beg | begin(ning) |
| bet | between |
| con or cont | continue |
| dec | decrease |
| foll | follow(s)(ing) |
| inc | increase |
| lp | loop |
| patt | pattern(s) |
| rem | remain(s)(ing) |
| rep | repeat(s)(ing) |
| RS | right side |
| sk | skip |
| sp | space(s) |
| TBL | through back loop, or turning back loop |
| TFL | through front loop, or turning front loop |
| tog | together |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
Common Repeating Shorthand
Typically, inside patterns you will learn a short pattern of crochet stitches, then be asked to repeat that pattern a set number of times to ensure that the measurement of the item you are trying to make comes out correct.
The shorthand or abbreviations below are important to know when using any crochet pattern, including ours.
These common crochet punctuations are shorthand for repeating pattern sections:
| Shorthand | Repeating Description |
|---|---|
| * | Repeat instructions after asterisk or between asterisks as many times as instructed. |
| ** | Repeat the instructions between the double asterisks as many times as directed or repeat at specified locations |
| { } | Work the instructions within curly braces as many times as directed |
| [ ] | Work the instructions within square brackets as many times as directed, or is used to show a repeat inside a repeat. |
| ( ) | Work the instructions within the parentheses as many times as directed. This can also mean that you need to work a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space. |
Abbreviations for Basic Crochet Stitches
These are the most common abbreviations in standard US terms as determined by the crochet guild. All of these abbreviations refer to the most basic of crochet stitches.
| Abbreviation | Term |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sl st or ss | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| tr or trc | triple crochet |
| dtr | double triple crochet |
| trtr | triple triple crochet |
| qtr | quadruple triple crochet |
All the crochet stitches above that end in the word “crochet” are variants of the same stitch. A single crochet is roughly one chain tall, a half double crochet stitch is two chains tall, a double crochet is three chains tall, and so on.
These heights determine the number of turning chains you need to work at the beginning of each row for each of the basic stitches. The diagonal bars on the symbols for each are useful because they indicate how many times you have to wrap the yarn around the hook before working the stitch.
Advanced Crochet Abbreviations
The following stitches are for the more advanced crocheters, usually for making some Intermediate or Complex skill level patterns.
These abbreviations are not common in most of my patterns, but are sometimes found in crochet patterns in other places.
| Abbreviation | Term |
|---|---|
| bo | bobble stitch |
| edc | extended double crochet |
| ehdc | extended half double crochet |
| esc | extended single crochet |
| etr | extended triple crochet |
| dc2tog | work 2 double crochet together |
| dc3tog | work 3 double crochet together |
| hdc2tog | work 2 half double crochet together |
| hdc3tog | work 3 half double crochet together |
| hhdc | herringbone half double crochet |
| pc | popcorn stitch |
| ps or puff | puff stitch |
| sc2tog | work 2 single crochet together |
| sc3tog | work 3 single crochet together |
Keep in mind that if you are reading a pattern that is written in UK terms, then it will be different. Take a look at our US to UK crochet terms conversion chart.
Crochet Slang Abbreviations
There are also some crochet slang terms to know. While they aren’t official, you may see them from time to time online or in crochet pattern discussions.
Here are some common crochet slang abbreviations.
- C2C: Corner-to-corner – These projects are worked diagonally and can use graphs to create images.
- FROG or FROGGING: Ripped out stitches of a crochet project
- WIP: “Work in Progress”… the crochet project you are currently working on.
- YARN CHICKEN: Trying to finish a row or a whole project without running out of yarn.
- AYGO: Join as you go
- LYS: Local yarn store
- YARN BARF: The mess that comes out of the middle of yarn ball when you try to pull the center strand out.
- YARN CAKE: When you rewind a skein of yarn using a yarn winder.
How to Start Crocheting
We created a beginner’s article to help those that are interested in learning more about the world of crochet. This beginner guide should help anyone when trying to understand the basics of becoming a crochet designer or just wanting to learn how to crochet.
Crochet Patterns by Stitch Type
All of our free crochet patterns are tagged with the stitches they use. If you are looking for a crochet pattern to use with a specific stitch, take a look at our archives below.
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Can you tell me what this means – holding next petal forward, slip st in base of center dc? It’s a pretty petals potholder using aunt Lydia’s fashion crochet thread size 3. The picture looks beautiful but I can’t understand how to do this.
Thank you
Hi Pam,
Without seeing the pattern, I can only guess, but I think it means to sl st into the dc from the round or row before? I recommend reaching out to the designer or company who designed the pattern for better help.
Krista
I’ve been looking at a lot of websites to find out what mbs means pls help
Hi! MBS could mean quite a few things, but there isn’t any official abbreviation for it. I have seen it mean mini bean stitch, make bobble stitch, modified bean stitch. It is really up to the designer, so I’d double-check the pattern you want to make and see if it gives any clue to what it may mean for that particular pattern.
Krista
I’ve always been confused about which side is the right side in a project. Can you clarify?
Thx,
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
This may help https://easycrochet.com/right-side-vs-wrong-side-in-crochet/
Please let me know if you have any questions.
-Krista
What does hlf stand for in crochet?
Hi Sandi,
I’ve never seen that one used before, but maybe it means half? Some designers may abbreviate stitches different, so that is my best guess. Hope this helps!
Krista
what does ca means
Hi! It could mean color A in a pattern.
Krista
What does dee mean?
Hi Marcie,
Dee is not a crochet abbreviation. If it is in a pattern, maybe the designer meant dec (decrease) instead, and it was a typo?
– Krista
hey thank you for everything and can i ask about what does trc mean thx
You are welcome!
Trc is another way to refer to a triple crochet.
-Krista