crochetguideCrochet reference: terms, yarn labels and charts
Look up a stitch abbreviation, compare US and UK terms, read a yarn label or check units before the next row.
Look up an abbreviation
Crochet abbreviations chart
Look up the abbreviation, see what a UK pattern writes instead, then follow its stitch lesson. These definitions use US terms; a pattern’s own special-stitch key takes priority.
Read a chart symbol
Crochet chart symbols
Start at the chart’s row or round marker. Read the symbol key, find where each stitch goes, and count the stitch symbols separately from the chain spaces.
Switch US and UK terms
US vs UK crochet terms
US single crochet is UK double crochet. US double crochet is UK treble. Identify the pattern’s terminology before following an abbreviation such as dc.
Read a repeat
Crochet pattern repeats
Read what the punctuation groups, then count old stitches used and new stitches made. A bracketed number at the end of a row is often a checkpoint, not another instruction.
Read a yarn label
How to read a yarn label
Find the fiber content, length per ball, ball mass, yarn category and care instructions. Keep the exact color and dye-lot details with the project.
Compare fibers
Yarn fibers compared
Cotton is firm and cool with little stretch, acrylic is light and easy to wash, wool is warm and springy, bamboo drapes and shines, and blends sit in between. The exact label and your washed swatch decide.
Size a blanket
Crochet blanket sizes
A lap blanket is about 36 × 48 in (91 × 122 cm), a throw about 50 × 60 in (127 × 152 cm) and a crib blanket about 45 × 60 in (114 × 152 cm). Pick the size, then turn it into stitches from your own swatch.
Size a hat
Crochet hat size chart
Measure around the forehead and make the hat about 2.5 cm (1 in) smaller than that head, so it stays on: a 56 cm head needs a beanie about 53.5 cm around. No head to measure? The chart gives each age’s head range and the hat range that follows from it.
Size a scarf or cowl
Crochet scarf sizes
An adult scarf is usually 6–8 in wide and 60–72 in long (15–20 × 152–183 cm); a child’s about 5–6 × 42–48 in. Cowls are measured around: about 22–26 in for a neck cowl and 56–64 in for an infinity scarf.
Size socks, slippers and mitts
Crochet sock and slipper sizes
Measure the foot length and the circumference around the widest part. A woman’s US 7–9½ foot is about 23.5–25.5 cm long and 20.5 cm around; a man’s US 9–11½ about 26–28 cm long and 23 cm around.
Convert yarn units
Yarn units
Convert length to length and mass to mass. You need a yarn’s stated length per mass before converting a ball’s grams into meters.
Find a yarn weight
Yarn weight chart
Compare categories, then read the label and make a swatch.