The Complete Crochet Abbreviation Guide

As a crochet enthusiast, reading patterns may come as a challenge. You will find pattern instructions combining two to multiple letters, repeatedly appearing in these crochet patterns.

You will encounter standard and not-so-common abbreviations as you progress in your crocheting journey.

Not all abbreviations are standardized for all patterns, so you will need to
check your pattern’s abbreviations list for the terms that are not familiar to you.

You can usually locate the list at the start of the pattern. Sometimes you can find it written together at the front or back of a crocheting book.

Below is the Complete Crochet Abbreviation Guide you will come across in many crochet patterns.

What does CH mean in crocheting?

The CH in crochet means chain stitch. It is the basic unit of a crochet project. You will form your first row of crochet stitches in the crochet chain.

Chain stitches are the first ones you must learn because they form foundation chains. You can also use a chain stitch to connect rows.

What does BRDC mean in crocheting?

BRDC means Back Raised Double Crochet. It is a variation of the double crochet. You can do BRDC by wrapping the yarn over the hook and inserting the hook from the back to the front at the right of the next stitch. Then, insert your hook through the back at the left of the same stitch.

What does CL mean in crocheting?

The term CL means cluster in crocheting. You can identify a cluster as a group of stitches joined closely at the top or the bottom. A cluster of stitches is usually designated in the pattern using the abbreviation “tog” along with the type and number of stitches.

For example, a cluster made from 4 double crochet stitches worked together would be shown as dc4tog.

Below is a sample procedure for doing a dc4tog cluster.

• Work each stitch to be joined to the last “yo, pull through” that will complete it. One loop from each stitch to be joined should remain on the hook, plus the loop from the previous stitch. Wrap the yarn over the hook once again.
• Pull a loop through all the loops on the hook. One loop now remains on the hook. You can work together four double crochet stitches.

What does DC mean in crocheting?

DC means double crochet. The double crochet is one of the basic stitches and is twice as tall as the single crochet stitch.

You can make a double crochet stitch using these steps:

• Start with a certain length of chains. Wrap the yarn over the hook, then insert the hook in the fourth chain from the hook.
• Pull a loop through this chain to create three loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook, then draw a new loop through the first two loops on the hook.
• You will find that two loops remain on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook once more, then pull a new loop through both loops on the hook.
• You have made one double (1dc) crochet stitch. Repeat steps 1 and 2 in each chain to complete a row of double crochet stitches.

What is TR in crochet?

The Triple crochet pertains to treble crochet. You can create treble crochet by starting with a specific length of chains. Wrap the yarn twice over the hook, then insert the hook in the fifth chain from the

Begin with a length of chains. Wrap the yarn twice over the hook, and insert the hook in the fifth chain from the hook.

Pull a loop through this chain. You now have four loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over again. Then, pull through the first two loops.

Three loops remain on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook. Then, pull through the first two loops.

Two loops remain on the hook. Wrap the yarn over again. Then, pull through the two remaining loops.

You made one treble crochet. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 in each chain to the end to complete one row of trebles.

What does BL mean in crocheting?

BL means a back loop only in crocheting. When the pattern instructs to use the back loop only, you should work into only the back loops of your crochet stitches instead of both loops.

What does BP mean in crocheting?

The term BP means back post in crocheting. The back post designates the textured stitches worked from the back around the post of the stitch below.

What does BPdc in crocheting mean?

Bpdc is the abbreviation for back post double crochet. To form a back post stitch, you work around the post of the stitch below:

1. Insert your hook from the back, in front of the post of the stitch, and back out to the back.
2. Take yarn around the front of the post of the stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook and insert it from the back to the front.
3. Then, bring it out at the back of the crochet. Yarn over the hook again and pull up a loop on the wrong side of the fabric (three loops on the hook).
4. Yarn over the hook. Draw it through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over the hook again and pull it through the remaining two loops.

What does CC mean in crocheting?

CC is short for contrasting colors in crochet projects. Contrasting color provides an accent to your crochet work’s primary color.

These colors differ from one another. It can vary from high to low, based on their position on the color wheel.

For instance, those colors directly opposite from one another create the highest contrast. On the other hand, colors next to each other have lower contrast.

What does CH mean in crocheting?

The term CH means chain in crocheting. The chain is where all crochet begins. Chains form the foundation row where other stitches are worked into.

Keeping the tension even and slightly loose when making chains is vital, or your crochet work will get distorted. Try to keep them uniform in size.

To make chains:

1. Start by forming a loose slipknot about six inches from the yarn end.
2. Insert the hook in the loop from right to left.
3. Tighten the loop by pulling both yarn ends.
4. Wrap the end of the yarn with the ball around the little finger of the left hand. Place under the fourth and third fingers and over the top of the index finger.

Hold the slipknot between your left hand’s thumb and middle finger, slide the hook forward, catch the yarn, and draw it back through the chain to form a loop. Repeat the process according to the number of chains your foundation row requires.

You must also remember that you should not count the loop on the hook as part of the foundation row.

What does CH-SP mean in crocheting?

The term CH-SP means chain space in crocheting. It is the gap formed below one or more chain stitches. It is usually the area where stitches are worked into instead of the individual chains.

What does DC mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation DC means Double crochet. The double crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches and is double the height of the single crochet stitch.

This short stitch can help create a compact fabric ideal for crochet projects like garments, accessories, toys, and containers.

To make double crochet on a foundation chain, you can follow these steps:

1. Begin with a yarn over, insert the hook in the fourth chain, and then draw up a loop.
2. You will then find three loops on the hook.
3. Yarn over, draw the yarn through two loops, yarn over again, and then pull the yarn over the two remaining loops.
4. Repeat the procedure in each chain of the foundation row.

What does DEC mean in crocheting?

The term DEC means a decrease in crocheting. There are times in your crocheting when you must reduce the number of stitches. It can be in a row or round. The easiest way to decrease the number of stitches is by skipping a stitch. But this method leaves a hole.

To keep your crochet looking more even, you can work decrease. You can create decreases by working multiple stitches together, crocheting incomplete stitches, and then completing all the stitches together at the top.

What does DTR mean in crocheting?

The term DTR means Double Treble Crochet. This stitch is commonly used in lacy patterns and crochet blocks because their height helps to add shape to your crochet work.

It works almost the same way as treble crochet, but its stitches are one chain length taller.

1. The first step to making your double treble crochet is to yarn over the hook thrice. The double treble stitch is the next higher stitch to the treble stitch, so you need to yarn over thrice.
2. Insert the hook into the next stitch where you desire to make the DTR crochet stitch. Then, yarn over the hook then draw the yarn through the stitch. Notice that there are five loops on the hook.
3. Loop the yarn over the hook and draw through two loops on the hook. Now there are four loops left on the hook.
4. Yarn over the hook, then draw through two loops. There are already three loops remaining on the hook.
5. Repeat the pattern of yarning over the hook and drawing through two loops until only one loop remains on the hook, just like at the end of any basic crochet stitch. You have completed a double treble crochet stitch.

What does FC mean in crocheting?

FC means foundation chain in crocheting. The foundation chain runs along the bottom of your crochet project, offering a base to work your stitches.

1. To make a foundation chain, make a slip knot.
2. Chain as many stitches as the pattern requires for.
3. You have completed the foundation chain, where you can work single crochets, double crochets, or any combination of stitches the pattern tells you to use.

What does FL mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation FL means front loop only. FL is a method of crocheting in which you work into only the front loop of a stitch instead of both loops. It is a technique that creates a differently textured crochet fabric.

What does FPdc in crocheting mean?

It means front post double crochet.

To form a front post stitch, you work around the post below, inserting your hook from the front, behind the post of the stitch, and back out to the front.

Post stitches are formed by crocheting around the post of the stitch below. It adds texture by bringing the stitch in front of, or behind, the stitch below.

1. Wrap the yarn around the hook, then insert the hook from the front going to the back of the fabric. Take it around the back of the post of the stitch.
2. Bring it out at the front of the crochet fabric.
3. Yarn over the hook again and pull up a loop on the right side of the fabric. (three loops on the hook)
4. Yarn over the hook. Draw it through the first two loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over the hook again. Then, draw the yarn through the remaining two loops. You have made a front post double crochet.

What does HDC mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation HDC means half double crochet. A half-double crochet is halfway in height between single and double crochet. It is firm and quite dense but produces a slightly softer texture, making it excellent for baby garments.

1. Start your half-double crochet with a yarn over the hook. Next, insert the hook into your next stitch.
2. Make another yarn over, then pull up a loop.
3. Then, pull the yarn over again through all three loops on the hook. You have created a half-double crochet stitch that is not quite short or tall.

What does INC mean in crocheting?

The term INC means an increase in crocheting. It is a shaping technique where you add extra stitches to your work. A sample of an increase in a row or round is working two stitches into the same stitch.

An increase in stitches is written as the number of stitches you will make into that stitch, such as “1 dc in next st” or “2 sc in next st”.

What does MC mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation MC means the main color in crocheting. The primary color is the main color of the crochet piece.

What does Rep mean in crocheting?

The term Rep in crocheting means repeat. It is indicated in the pattern when you need to replicate a series of crochet instructions.

To replicate a series of crochet instructions, one instance of the duplicated instructions.

What does Rnd mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation Rnd means round, defined by a line of crochet stitches worked around circularly. Crocheting in the round produces crochet items like doilies, coasters, and stool covers.

A line of stitches worked around a circular crocheted piece.

What does RS mean in crocheting?

RS is the abbreviation of the right side in crocheting. The right side is the visible side of the crochet work.

You can see the side outside or front of your crochet work.

What does sc mean in crocheting?

SC is the abbreviation for single crochet, the most basic crochet stitch, and is the easiest to learn. The single crochet forms a firm and compact fabric.

1. To make a single crochet, start by inserting the hook in the second chain coming from the hook, catching the yarn, and drawing up a loop.
2. You will find two loops on the hook. Catch the thread again and draw it through both loops. On loop remains on the hook.
3. Repeat the process on each chain across the row.

What does sc2tog mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation depicts single crochet two together and is used to decrease stitches. It can be demonstrated by inserting the hook into the first stitch and drawing a loop. Then, insert the hook into the second stitch then draw up a loop. You will now find three loops on the hook.

Then, yarn over the hook and draw through all three loops.

What does SK in crocheting mean?

Skipping stitches allows you to create different patterns in your crochet fabric. The term SK means skip in crocheting. It means you should pass over a stitch and not work into it.

What does SL st mean in crocheting?

The abbreviation SL st means slip stitch in crocheting. A slip stitch is a stitch that has no height and is the shortest of all the crochet stitches.

The stitch joins the stitches at the end of rounds, connects two pieces of crochet fabrics, or moves the hook and yarn to a new position without adding height.

Slip stitches are usually not worked in rows because they make a very dense fabric, but they are essential to learning so you can join other stitches together.

What does SP mean in crocheting?

SP means space or spaces in crocheting. They are the gaps formed between or beneath stitches and are usually seen in lace patterns.

What does ST mean in crocheting?

ST is the abbreviation for stitch in crocheting. A crochet stitch is the basic building block of crochet. A crochet stitch can be a group of one or more loops of yarn pulled through each other in a specified order until only one loop remains on the crochet hook.

What does T-ch mean in crocheting?

The T-ch term means turning chain in crocheting. The turning chain is essential to bring the first stitch of a row or round to the correct height. Many patterns will tell you to skip chains before you work your first stitch into the foundation chain.

Certain stitches require a certain number of chains to reach the proper height of the next row. A slip stitch does not need a turning chain. Single crochet requires one chain, which is not counted as a stitch.

Half double crochet requires two turning chains, which sometimes count as a stitch. Double crochet needs three turning chains, calculated as a stitch. Treble crochet requires four chains which also count as a stitch.

What does Tog mean in crocheting?

The term Tog means together in crocheting. It also indicates a shaping technique where you work two or more stitches into one to reduce the number of stitches.

What does TR mean in crocheting?

The term TR means triple (treble) crochet. The triple or treble crochet is the tallest among the basic stitches and is three times as tall as a single crochet.

As a tall stitch, treble crochet produces a softer and airier crochet fabric than the other basic stitches. The treble crochet multiplies, too.

You can make a triple or treble crochet using the following procedure.

1. Yarn over twice, then insert the hook in the fifth chain, catch the yarn and draw up a loop.
2. You can see four loops on the hook. Yarn over, then draw through two loops. Yarn over again, draw through two more loops, and then pull through the last two.
3. Repeat in each chain across the foundation row.

What does TRTR mean in crocheting?

All taller stitches are worked the same way as double trebles, except that more wraps are wound around the hook before the stitch is begun, and they require taller turning chains.

Once you can work triple trebles quickly, you can work quadruple and quintuple trebles without much effort. You’ll find taller stitches in decorative patterns such as flowers and snowflakes.

What does WS in crocheting mean?

WS is short for the wrong side of your crochet work. The WS is the side of the crocheted piece that will be hidden. It is the inside or back of your crochet fabric.

What does YO mean in crochet?

The abbreviation YO means yarn over in crochet. A yarn over is one of the essential moves in crochet. You can only progress with your crochet work if you can yarn over.

Yarn over is the move where you pass the yarn over the hook so the yarn is caught in the throat of the hook.

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