Crochet Abbreviations
Reading a crochet pattern can sometimes feel like reading a foreign language. Actually, that’s not far from the truth! Crochet does have its own vocabulary of stitches and abbreviations.
Most patterns will include a list of the abbreviations that are used in that pattern, but some don’t. If you ever get stuck, here is a list of commonly used crochet abbreviations. I may add to this list as I think of (or use) others.
Several of the stitches below are linked to tutorials for that stitch. This list is in US terms – read about how US and UK crochet terms differ here.
Basic Stitches
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
Increases & Decreases
| Abbreviation | Description |
| dec | decrease |
| inc | increase |
| tog | together |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
| [st] [number] tog | Work the indicated stitch over the indicated number of stitches together. (For example, dtr3tog = double treble 3 stitches together). |
Other Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Description |
| alt | alternate |
| AC | Accent color |
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| blo | back loop only |
| bo | bobble |
| bp(st) | back post stitch (for example, bpdc = back post double crochet). |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| ch-(number) sp | chain space with the indicated number of chains. (for example, ch-2 sp = chain 2 space) |
| cl | cluster |
| e[st] | extended version of indicated stitch. For example, edc = extended double crochet. |
| flo | front loop only |
| fp(st) | front post stitch (for example, fpdc = front post double crochet). |
| lp | loop |
| MC | main color |
| pc | popcorn |
| pm | place marker |
| rem | remaining |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| sk | skip |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
