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Crochet abbreviations, A to Z
| Abbreviation | Meaning | UK patterns write | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| alt | alternate | alt | Switch between the two instructions named, one after the other. |
| approx | approximately | approx | Treat the number as a guide, not a count to match. |
| beg | begin, beginning | beg | Work the step at the start of the row or round. |
| bet | between | bet | Work into the gap or space between the stitches named. |
| BLO | back loop only | BLO | Work under the back strand of the top V only, the one farther from you. |
| bo | bobble | bobble | Close several unfinished stitches in one stitch into one round bump. |
| BP | back post | BP | Insert from the back, around the post of the stitch below, not into its top. |
| BPdc | back-post double crochet (US) | BPtr | Work a double crochet around the post from the back. |
| BPsc | back-post single crochet (US) | BPdc | Work a single crochet around the post from the back. |
| BPtr | back-post treble crochet (US) | BPdtr | Work a treble crochet around the post from the back. |
| CA, CB | color A, color B | CA, CB | Use the yarn the pattern names with that letter. |
| CC | contrasting color | CC | Use the second yarn color. |
| ch | chain | ch | Make a new chain loop. |
| ch- | chain made earlier | ch- | Find the chain or chain space named, such as ch-3 sp, from a previous row. |
| ch-sp | chain space | ch-sp | Insert into the opening under the chain, not into a chain itself. |
| CL | cluster | cl | Work part-made stitches and close them together at one top. |
| cm | centimeter | cm | 1 inch is 2.54 cm. |
| cont | continue | cont | Keep working in the same way. |
| dc | double crochet (US) | tr (treble) | Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop, then draw through two loops twice. |
| dc2tog | double crochet two together | tr2tog | Work two part-made double crochets and close them as one stitch. |
| dec | decrease | dec | Combine stitches by the pattern’s method. |
| dtr | double treble crochet (US) | trtr (triple treble) | Wrap three times, then draw through two loops four times. |
| FLO | front loop only | FLO | Work under the front strand of the top V only, the one nearer you. |
| foll | follow, following | foll | Work the next instruction or stitch named. |
| FP | front post | FP | Insert from the front, around the post of the stitch below, not into its top. |
| FPdc | front-post double crochet (US) | FPtr | Work around the post from the front. |
| FPsc | front-post single crochet (US) | FPdc | Work a single crochet around the post from the front. |
| FPtr | front-post treble crochet (US) | FPdtr | Work a treble crochet around the post from the front. |
| g | gram | g | Ball weights on labels are in grams, often 50 g or 100 g. |
| hdc | half double crochet (US) | htr (half treble) | Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop, then draw through all three loops. |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet two together | htr2tog | Pull up a loop in two stitches, each after a yarn over, then draw through all five loops. |
| inc | increase | inc | Make more stitches at the stated insertion point. |
| lp, lps | loop, loops | lp | Count or work the loops named, on the hook or in the fabric. |
| m | meter | m | 1 yard is 0.9144 m. |
| MC | main color | MC | Use the main yarn. |
| mm | millimeter | mm | Read the hook size in millimeters. |
| oz | ounce | oz | Weigh in ounces; 1 oz is about 28.35 g. |
| pat, patt | pattern | patt | Work the stitch pattern or instructions named. |
| pc | popcorn | pc | Work several complete stitches in one place, take the hook out, put it through the first of them and pull the loop through, closing them into a raised bump. |
| pm | place marker | pm | Mark the stitch or space the pattern names. |
| prev | previous | prev | Look back to the row, round or stitch before. |
| rem | remain, remaining | rem | Count what is left unworked, or work into it. |
| rep | repeat | rep | Work the named instruction group again. |
| rnd, rnds | round, rounds | rnd | One circuit of stitches. |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side | RS / WS | Names of the fabric’s faces, not your hands. |
| sc | single crochet (US) | dc (double crochet) | Insert, pull up a loop, then draw through both loops. |
| sc2tog | single crochet two together | dc2tog | Use 2 base stitches to make 1 top. |
| sk | skip | miss | Leave the stated stitch unworked. |
| sl st | slip stitch | ss or sl st | Draw through the work and active loop. |
| sp | space | sp | Insert in the opening, not a neighboring stitch top. |
| st / sts | stitch / stitches | st / sts | Count the worked tops specified by the pattern. |
| tbl | through back loop | tbl | Insert under the back strand of the top only. |
| tch, t-ch | turning chain | tch | Make the chain that lifts the hook to the next row’s height; the pattern says whether it counts. |
| tog | together | tog | Close the stitches named into one top. |
| tr | treble crochet (US) | dtr (double treble) | Wrap twice, insert, pull up a loop, then draw through two loops three times. |
| trtr | triple treble crochet (US) | quadruple treble | Wrap four times, then draw through two loops five times. |
| yd, yds | yard, yards | yd | Measure in yards; 1 yd is 0.9144 m. |
| yo | yarn over | yoh (yarn over hook) or yrh | Wrap the working strand before the next pull-through. |
| yoh | yarn over hook | yoh | The same wrap as yarn over. |
| * | repeat from the asterisk | * | Work from the * to the stated point, then repeat as told. |
| [ ] or ( ) | group or same place | [ ] or ( ) | Work everything inside as a group, or into one stitch, as many times as stated. |
Read a small instruction
“Ch 7; sc in second ch from hook and each ch across” means make 7 chains, leave the first chain below the hook unworked, then make 6 single crochets. The active loop on the hook is not a chain.
“Sc2tog” does not mean 2 single crochets in one stitch. It consumes 2 neighboring stitches and leaves 1 stitch top. For a group such as puff, bobble or cluster, read the pattern’s definition before choosing a familiar version.