Each crochet pattern is full of short hand that is supposed to tell you exactly what to do to complete the project. If you don’t know the short hand (abbreviations), it is like reading a foreign language!
Wondering what that crochet stitch abbreviation stands for and what it means to actually DO? Or, do you get annoyed having to click back and forth between charts and descriptions/tutorials of stitches? In this post is a very inclusive chart that give the abbreviation, stitch name, written description of the stitch, stitch symbol (which would be found in a chart version of the pattern), and either a video of how to make the stitch!
My inclusive crochet stitch abbreviation and chart symbol table is based on information from The Craft Yarn Council which provides the standards for crochet abbreviations and symbols. I have compiled the information available into a single table to improve convenience and provide the BEST resource out there for you!
Following the chart, there is some additional information about variations you may see. I know it is LONG, bet I definitely recommend glancing at the information after the chart as well!
Crochet Stitch Abbreviation Chart
| Abbreviation | Definition | Description (*yo will be used throughout to indicate “yarn over”) | Chart Symbol | Video Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BL/BLO/tbl | back loop/back loop only/through back loop | Insert your hook though only the back loop of the “V”. Stitch is otherwise worked as normal. |  appears at base of stitch being worked | How To Crochet-Back Loop |
| bo | bobble | yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch, yo and pull through 2 of the loops. Repeat 3-5 times (depending on the pattern description); then yo and pull through all loops on hook. *note that a true bobble stitch will have a single or half double crochet after it every time (if not, it is actually a cluster stitch)* |  (symbol for repeated 3 times) | How To Crochet-Bobble Stitch |
| BPdc | back post double crochet | completed like a normal double crochet, except insert your hook from back to front on the right side of the post, wrap the hook around that post and go from front to back on the left side (instead of inserting hook through “V” at top of stitch) |  | How To Crochet-Back Post Double Crochet |
| BPdtr | back post double treble crochet | *See BPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Back Post Double Treble Crochet |
| BPhdc | back post half double crochet | *See BPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Back Post Half Double Crochet |
| BPsc | back post single crochet | *See BPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Back Post Single Crochet |
| BPtr | back post treble crochet | *See BPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Back Post Treble Crochet |
| ch | chain stitch | yo, pull through loop on hook |  | How To Crochet-Chain Stitch |
| CL | cluster | For half double crochet cluster: yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch. Repeat 3-5 times (depending on the pattern description); then yo and pull through all loops on hook. |  (symbol for half double crochet cluster) | How To Crochet-Cluster Stitch |
| dc | double crochet | yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch, (yo and pull through 2 loops on hook), repeat () 1 time |  | How To Crochet-Double Crochet |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together | yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook; yo, insert hook into the following stitch, yo, pull through stitch, yo pull through 2 loops, yo pull through rest of loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Double Crochet 2 Together |
| dtr | double treble crochet | yo 3 times, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook), repeat () 3 more times |  | How To Crochet-Double Treble Crochet |
| edc | extended double crochet | yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stich, yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops), repeated () 1 more time | None | How To Crochet-Extended Double Crochet |
| ehdc | extended half double crochet | yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stich, yo, pull through 1 loop, yo, pull through last 3 loops on hook | None | How To Crochet-Extended Half Double Crochet |
| esc | extended single crochet | Insert hook into stitch, yo and through stitch, yo, pull through 1 loop, yo, pull through last 2 loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Extended Single Crochet |
| etr | extended treble crochet | yo 2 times, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stich, yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops), repeated () 2 more times | None | How To Crochet-Extended Treble Crochet |
| FL/FLO | front loop/front loop only | Insert your hook though only the front loop of the “V”. Stitch is otherwise worked as normal. |  appears at base of stitched being worked | How To Crochet-Front Loop |
| FPdc | front post double crochet | Insert your hook from front to back on the right side of the post, wrap the hook around that post and come from back to front on the left side. |  | How To Crochet-Front Post Double Crochet |
| FPdtr | front post double treble crochet | *See FPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Front Post Double Treble Crochet |
| FPhdc | front post half double crochet | *See FPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Front Post Half Double Crochet |
| FPsc | front post single crochet | *See FPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Front Post Single Crochet |
| FPtr | front post treble crochet | *See FPdc description |  | How To Crochet-Front Post Treble Crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet | yo, insert hook into stitch , yo and pull through stitch, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Half Double Crochet |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together | yo, insert hook into stitch , yo and pull through stitch; yo, insert hook into the following stitch, yo and pull through stitch, yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Half Double Crochet 2 Together |
| pc | popcorn stitch | 5 double crochet indicated stitch, drop loop from hook, insert hook from front to back through first stitch, place dropped loop on hook, draw loop through first stitch. |  | How To Crochet-Popcorn Stitch |
| Picot (no abbreviation) | Picot | chain 3, insert hook back into the center of the base stitch (the one right under your chain 3), yo and pull through all loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Picot Stitch |
| ps or puff | puff stitch | yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch, (yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull through stitch), repeat () 2 more times, yo, and draw through all loops on hook |  symbol for 3 half double puff stitch | How To Crochet-Puff Stitch |
| sc | single crochet | insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Single Crochet |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together | insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch; insert hook into the following stitch, yo and pull through stitch, , yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Single Crochet 2 Together |
| sh | shell | Can vary based on pattern, follow instructions in pattern. “Standard shell”= work 5 double crochets inserting your hook into the same stitch or space for each one |  symbol for 5 double crochet shell | How To Crochet-Shell Stitch |
| sl st | slip stitch | insert hook into indicated stitch, yo and draw through stitch and 1 loop on hook |  | How To Crochet-Slip Stitch |
| tch or t-ch | turning chain | complete as many chain stitches as indicated in the pattern. If not specified it is 1 for single crochet, 2 for half double crochet, 3 for double crochet, 4 for treble crochet, etc. |  symbol for “chain 3” turning chain | |
| tr | treble crochet | yo 2 times, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch (yo, pull through 2 loops), repeat () 2 more times |  | How To Crochet-Treble Crochet |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together | yo 2 times, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull through stitch (yo, pull through 2 loops), repeat () 1 more time [2 loops left on hook]; yo 2 times, insert hook into following stitch, yo pull through stitch, (yo, pull through 2 loops), repeat () 1 more time, yo pull through last 3 loops on hook |  | How To Crochet-Treble Crochet 2 Together |
| trtr | triple treble crochet | yo 4 times, insert hook in st, yo and pull through stitch, (yo, pull through 2 loops} repeated () 4 more times |  | How To Crochet-Triple Treble Crochet |
Variations to the Above Crochet Stitch Abbreviation Chart
US versus UK stitch terminology
It is important to note that this chart is for US crochet terminology! UK terminology is different. Here is a chart from The Craft Yarn Council that indicates those differences.
Abbreviation & Term Differences between the United States (U.S.), Canada, and United Kingdom (U.K.)
| U.S./Canada | U.K. |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| double treble (dtr) | triple treble (trtr) |
So, basically the US and UK stitches are called something different, even though they are worked the exact same way. If you pattern indicates that it is written using UK terms, you will need to “convert” it if you use my chart.
So, for example, if the UK pattern says “tr” or “treble crochet,” you will want to look at “dc-double crochet” on my chart.
Pattern to pattern variations
A pattern may use slightly different abbreviations. The main variation you will see is in capitalization, which isn’t too bad to figure out (e.g. DC equals dc).
Sometimes a pattern will use a completely different abbreviation. Typically, at the beginning or end of the pattern it will provide a “glossary” for the abbreviations used. ALWAYS defer to the pattern’s abbreviation list, especially for special stitches (such as bobble, picot, shell, etc.)
If the pattern does not specify what the abbreviation means, defer to the standards set by The Craft Yarn Council (used for my chart).
Also, a pattern may use a certain abbreviation, but mean a different stitch. The most common for this variation is between the bobble, cluster, puff, and popcorn stitches. Provided in my chart stitch descriptions are the standard way to make each of these stitches, but often patterns will use them interchangeably.
Typically, for these types of stitches, the pattern will describe how the designer completed the stitch. Hopefully, this is the case. It will usually be under a “special stitches” type of heading. Again, ALWAYS defer to the pattern’s description since that is what the designer used (even if it is “wrong”).
Other Crochet Terminology
There are a ton of other crochet abbreviations and terminology that does not describe a stitch. You will need to know this information when reading a pattern as well.
Hop over to my follow-up post, “Decoding the Jargon: Common Crochet Terminology and What It Means,” to find that information!
I hope that this clarified some things and provides you with a great resource that you can save and always come back to! If you think of any other questions about crochet stitch abbreviations, drop me a comment, and I will answer the best I can!
Now it is time for YOU to get Crafty with Ashy! Go grab a pattern and crochet away!!
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Thank you this was so helpful. I have done theses crafts for years now and then see where they use Somme new terms but why us old folk had this but I’ll go and learn there new words that just mean the same old thing. Thanks again for this insight it is greatly appreciated.Is there a book that can be referred to at time to time both knitting and crocheting new terms.
I’m not sure of any books for the terms, but www.craftyarncouncil.com is a very good resource that I have found!
(sorry for the delayed response! I’ve been out of town and moving houses, so keeping up my blog has fallen through the cracks a little bit. Gotten get back into the routine!)