Crochet Abbreviations: Complete List for Beginners (US Terms)
Crochet patterns have their own shorthand, and the first time you see something like “sc2tog, ch 1, sk next st, dc in next ch-sp” it can feel like reading a secret code. Good news: once you know about 20 abbreviations, you can read most crochet patterns out there.
This is my complete list of crochet abbreviations in US terms, the same ones I use in every Made with a Twist pattern. Bookmark it, keep it open next to your pattern, or grab the printable version below to keep by your yarn basket.
Click any underlined stitch for a step-by-step tutorial (opens in a new tab).
Jump to a section
- Basic stitches
- Where to put your hook (loops and spaces)
- Increases and decreases
- Post stitches
- Special stitches
- Pattern terms (rows, rounds, colors and more)
- Symbols: asterisks, brackets and parentheses
- US vs. UK terms
- Crochet abbreviation FAQ
Basic crochet stitch abbreviations
These are the building blocks. They’re listed shortest to tallest, so you can see how each stitch builds on the one before it.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ch | chain | The starting point of almost every project. ch(s) = chains. |
| sl st / slst / ss | slip stitch | The shortest stitch. Used to join rounds and move across without adding height. All three spellings mean the same thing. |
| sc | single crochet | |
| hdc | half double crochet | |
| dc | double crochet | |
| tr / tc | treble (triple) crochet | Two names, one stitch. You’ll see both in my patterns. |
| dtr | double treble crochet | |
| yo | yarn over | Wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front. |
Where to put your hook: loops and spaces
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BLO / BL | back loop only | Work into the loop farthest from you. Creates a ridge and stretchy ribbing. |
| FLO / FL | front loop only | Work into the loop closest to you. |
| BB / third loop | back bar (third loop) | The horizontal bar behind the back loop of a half double crochet. Gives a knit-look ridge. You’ll see it in my messy bun and Beehive patterns. |
| sp | space | |
| ch-sp | chain space | The gap under one or more chains. Work into the gap, not into the chain itself. |
| sk | skip | Skip the indicated stitch(es) and don’t work into them. |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Increase and decrease abbreviations
These shape your work, making hats round, mittens taper and amigurumi come to life.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| inc | increase | Work 2 stitches into the same stitch. Also written sc inc, scinc, hdc inc, 2hdc, 2dc. |
| dec | decrease | Turn 2 stitches into 1. The pattern will tell you which kind. |
| sc2tog / sc dec | single crochet 2 together | sc3tog = 3 together. |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 together | |
| dc2tog / dc3tog | double crochet 2 (or 3) together | |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 together | |
| inv dec | invisible decrease | Worked in the front loops only. Used mostly in amigurumi for a smooth finish. |
| tog | together |
Post stitch abbreviations
Post stitches are worked around the stitch below instead of into the top of it. They make ribbing, cables, basketweave and the Alpine stitch.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FP / BP | front post / back post | |
| FPsc / BPsc | front / back post single crochet | |
| FPhdc / BPhdc | front / back post half double crochet | |
| FPdc / BPdc | front / back post double crochet | My most-used special stitch. Used in brims, cuffs and the Grice Mountain beanie. |
| FPtr / BPtr (FPtc) | front / back post treble crochet | |
| FPdc2tog | front post double crochet 2 together | A post-stitch decrease. |
Special stitch abbreviations
Special stitches vary more from designer to designer, so always check the “Special Stitches” section of your pattern. Here are the ones you’ll run into most often, including the ones I use in my own designs.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| bo / bob / BS | bobble | Several unfinished stitches worked into one stitch and closed together. |
| MBS | modified bobble stitch or modified bean stitch | Heads up: this one means different things in different patterns. Check the special stitches section. |
| ps / puff | puff stitch | |
| pc | popcorn stitch | |
| CL / cl | cluster | |
| sh | shell | Several stitches worked into the same stitch or space. The pattern tells you how many. |
| V-st | V-stitch | Usually dc, ch 1, dc in the same stitch. |
| XST / X-st | cross stitch | Two stitches crossed over each other. A favorite in my one-hour hats and headbands. |
| RSC | reverse single crochet (crab stitch) | Single crochet worked backward, left to right. Makes a twisted, rope-like edge. |
| WC / CSC | waistcoat stitch / center single crochet | A single crochet worked into the center of the V below. Looks like knitting. |
| HBhdc | herringbone half double crochet | |
| esc / ehdc | extended single / extended half double crochet | |
| FSC / FHDC / FDC | foundation single / half double / double crochet | Builds your starting chain and first row in one step. |
| CSDC | chainless starting double crochet | Replaces the chain-3 at the start of a row for a neater edge. |
| Tss / Tks | Tunisian simple stitch / Tunisian knit stitch | Tunisian crochet. |
Pattern terms: rows, rounds, colors and more
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| beg | beginning | |
| rnd(s) / R | round(s) | Rounds are worked in a circle. Rows are worked back and forth. |
| rep | repeat | |
| cont | continue | |
| prev | previous | |
| approx | approximately | |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side | The side that will show on the finished piece, and the side that won’t. |
| MC | main color or magic circle | Most patterns use MC for main color. Amigurumi patterns often use it for magic circle (also written MR, magic ring). |
| CC / C2 / C3 | contrasting color / color 2 / color 3 | |
| tch | turning chain | The chains you make at the start of a row to reach the right height. |
| PM / M | place marker / marker | |
| FO / BO | fasten off / bind off | Cut your yarn and pull it through the last loop. |
| JAYG | join as you go | Joining pieces while you crochet the last round, instead of sewing afterward. |
Symbols: asterisks, brackets and parentheses
| Symbol | Meaning | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| * | repeat from asterisk | Repeat the instructions that follow the * as many times as directed. |
| * … * | repeat between asterisks | Repeat everything between the two asterisks as directed. |
| [ ] or { } | repeat within brackets | Repeat what’s inside the brackets the number of times shown. |
| ( ) | work all in one stitch, or stitch count | Either work everything inside into the same stitch or space, or (at the end of a row) the number of stitches you should have. |
| x | times | “[sc, inc] x 6” means do it 6 times. |
Example: “Rnd 3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (18 sts)” means single crochet in one stitch, increase in the next, and keep repeating that pair all the way around. You should end with 18 stitches.
US vs. UK crochet terms
This is the #1 source of beginner confusion. US and UK patterns use the same names for different stitches. All Made with a Twist patterns use US terms.
| US term | UK term |
|---|---|
| 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 (tr) | double treble (dtr) |
| skip (sk) | miss |
Quick tip: if a pattern mentions single crochet anywhere, it’s written in US terms. UK patterns don’t have a single crochet.
Crochet abbreviation FAQ
What are the most common crochet abbreviations?
ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch), sc (single crochet), hdc (half double crochet), dc (double crochet), st(s) (stitches), sk (skip), and rep (repeat). Learn those and you can follow most beginner patterns.
What does sc2tog mean in crochet?
Single crochet 2 together, a decrease. Insert your hook in the next stitch and pull up a loop, then do the same in the following stitch, then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Two stitches become one.
What does “ch-sp” mean?
Chain space: the gap under a chain or group of chains from the previous row. You work into the space itself, not into the chain stitches.
Why do some patterns say “sl st” and others say “ss”?
Different designers, different habits. sl st, slst and ss all mean slip stitch. When a pattern uses an unusual abbreviation, the designer should define it in the pattern’s abbreviations section.
Do the turning chains count as a stitch?
It depends on the pattern, and your designer will tell you. A ch 1 for single crochet usually doesn’t count; a ch 2 or ch 3 often does. My chain tutorial explains turning chains in more detail.
Keep learning
- Crochet Hook Size Chart: Metric, US and UK Conversions
- How to Crochet a Chain (and Count Your Foundation Chain)
- How to Filet Crochet
- More stitch tutorials are on the way. Every underlined stitch on this page links to one.
- Crochet Chart Symbols: How to Read a Crochet Chart
- Crochet Skill Levels Explained: Beginner to Experienced
Ready to put it all into practice? Browse my free crochet patterns. Every one has an abbreviations list that links back here.
