A List of Crochet Abbreviations and What They Mean

Here’s a detailed explanation of common crochet abbreviations. This list is not exhaustive, but it covers many of the abbreviations you’ll encounter in crochet patterns:

1. ch – Chain: The foundation of most projects. Yarn is looped to create a series of chain stitches.
2. sl st – Slip Stitch: Used to join stitches together, usually at the end of a round, or to move the yarn to a different position without adding height.
3. sc – Single Crochet: A basic crochet stitch that is short and dense. Insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
4. hdc – Half Double Crochet: A stitch that is taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
5. dc – Double Crochet: A common stitch that is taller than a single and half double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
6. tr or tc – Treble Crochet or Triple Crochet: A tall stitch. Yarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two loops, repeat twice.
7. dtr – Double Treble Crochet: A very tall stitch. Yarn over three times, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two loops, repeat three times.
8. inc – Increase: Adding a stitch or stitches to a row or round, often by making more than one stitch in the same stitch from the previous row.
9. dec – Decrease: Combining two or more stitches into one to reduce the number of stitches.
10. sk – Skip: Skip a stitch or number of stitches as indicated.
11. sp(s) – Space(s): Refers to the space created between stitches, often used in patterns like granny squares.
12. st(s) – Stitch(es): Refers to the individual stitches made.
13. yo – Yarn Over: A basic move in crochet where you loop the yarn over your crochet hook.
14. blo – Back Loop Only: Working into only the back loop of the stitches from the previous row, which creates a ribbed texture.
15. flo – Front Loop Only: Similar to blo but working into only the front loop of the stitches.
16. tog – Together: Often used with decreasing, indicating that stitches should be worked together, as in “sc2tog” (single crochet two together).
17. lp(s) – Loop(s): The loops on your crochet hook or the loops that make up a stitch.
18. sc2tog – Single Crochet Two Together: A basic decrease method in single crochet.
19. dc2tog – Double Crochet Two Together: A decrease method in double crochet.
20. pm – Place Marker: Indicates where to place a stitch marker.
21. rep – Repeat: Repeat a sequence of stitches as indicated.
22. rnd(s) – Round(s): Refers to when you are working in circles.
23. alt – Alternate: Alternate a stitch or sequence of stitches.
24. [ ] – Brackets: Used to enclose a group of stitches to be worked a specified number of times.
25. ( ) – Parentheses: Similar to brackets, these also indicate a group of stitches. Sometimes used to provide additional information or variations.
26. { } – Curly Brackets: Less common, but used similarly to parentheses and brackets for grouping stitches.
27. *** ** – Asterisk: Used to mark a sequence of stitches to be repeated.
28. beg – Begin/Begging: Refers to the beginning of a row, round, or sequence of stitches.
29. bet – Between: Indicates that a stitch or action is to be performed between specified stitches or spaces.
30. CC – Contrasting Color: In patterns with multiple colors, CC refers to a secondary color, different from the main color (MC).
31. cont – Continue: Proceed with the pattern without interruption.
32. dc3tog – Double Crochet Three Together: A decrease technique where three double crochets are combined into one stitch.
33. fp – Front Post: Refers to a stitch worked around the post of the stitch from the previous row from the front.
34. bp – Back Post: Similar to front post, but the stitch is worked around the post from the back.
35. htr – Half Triple Crochet: A stitch that is between a half double crochet and a triple crochet in height.
36. m – Marker: A tool used to mark specific stitches in a pattern.
37. MC – Main Color: The primary color used in a multi-colored pattern.
38. ps or puff st – Puff Stitch: A textured stitch created by pulling up multiple loops and securing them together.
39. picot – Picot: A small loop made usually at the edge of a work, creating a decorative effect.
40. rem – Remaining: Refers to the stitches, rows, or rounds that are left to work.
41. RS – Right Side: The front or ‘public’ side of the fabric.
42. WS – Wrong Side: The back or ‘private’ side of the fabric.
43. ssk – Slip, Slip, Knit: A method of decreasing, more common in knitting but sometimes used in crochet.
44. tbl – Through Back Loop: Working into the back loop of the stitch only, similar to ‘blo’.
45. tch or turning ch – Turning Chain: The chain stitches made at the beginning of a row to give height for the next row.
46. yo or yoh – Yarn Over Hook: The action of wrapping the yarn over the crochet hook.
47. Yrh – Yarn Round Hook: Similar to yarn over, it’s the action of wrapping the yarn around the crochet hook.
48. Spk – Spike Stitch: A decorative stitch that creates a long stitch by inserting the hook into a stitch several rows below.
49. Trtr – Triple Treble Crochet: A very tall stitch, created by yarning over four times before completing the stitch.
50. Lp st – Loop Stitch: A stitch that creates a loop of yarn on the fabric’s surface, often used for added texture.
51. BLO – Back Loop Only: Working into only the back loop of the stitches from the previous row, which creates a ribbed texture.
52. FLO – Front Loop Only: Working into only the front loop of the stitches, creating a different texture and fabric appearance.
53. Fpdc – Front Post Double Crochet: A double crochet stitch worked around the post of the previous row’s stitch from the front.
54. Bpdc – Back Post Double Crochet: A double crochet stitch worked around the post of the previous row’s stitch from the back.
55. Fptr – Front Post Treble Crochet: A treble crochet worked around the post of a stitch from the front.
56. Bptr – Back Post Treble Crochet: A treble crochet worked around the post of a stitch from the back.
57. Cl – Cluster: A group of stitches worked closely together, typically in the same stitch or space, often used to create texture.
58. Pc – Popcorn Stitch: Made by working several stitches into the same space and then joining them together, creating a ‘popcorn’ effect.
59. Bobble – Similar to the popcorn stitch, but the technique to create the bobble may vary slightly.
60. Sh – Shell: Several stitches worked into the same stitch or space, creating a shell-like shape.
61. V-st – V-Stitch: A pattern of stitches that creates a ‘V’ shape, typically a double crochet, chain, and double crochet.
62. Esc – Extended Single Crochet: A single crochet stitch with an extra chain to give it more height.
63. Edc – Extended Double Crochet: A double crochet with an extra chain worked into its base.
64. Etr – Extended Treble Crochet: A treble crochet with additional chains to increase its height.
65. Adj – Adjust: Typically used at the end of a pattern round to ensure the piece lies flat or fits correctly.
66. Altr – Alternate: To do something every other stitch, row, or round.
67. FO – Fasten Off: To cut the yarn and secure it after completing your project.
68. WS – Work Even: Continue working the pattern without increasing or decreasing.
69. Rsc – Reverse Single Crochet: Also known as the crab stitch, it’s worked from left to right, creating a twisted, rope-like edge.
70. Inv dec – Invisible Decrease: A way of decreasing stitches, typically in amigurumi, that makes the decrease less noticeable.
71. M1 – Make One: An increase method where a loop is picked up from the fabric and worked into, creating an extra stitch.
72. Sc3tog – Single Crochet Three Together: A decrease technique where three single crochet stitches are combined into one stitch.
73. Dc3tog – Double Crochet Three Together: Similar to sc3tog, but with double crochet stitches.
74. Tr3tog – Treble Crochet Three Together: A decrease technique where three treble crochets are combined into one stitch.
75. Ch-sp – Chain Space: The space created when a series of chains are skipped between stitches.
76. Hdc2tog – Half Double Crochet Two Together: A decrease technique in half double crochet.
77. Hdc3tog – Half Double Crochet Three Together: A decrease technique combining three half double crochet stitches.
78. Ldc – Long Double Crochet: A double crochet worked into a stitch several rows below the current row, creating a long stitch.
79. Sk2p – Skip Two, Purl: A technique more common in knitting but can be applied in certain crochet patterns.
80. Surface sl st – Surface Slip Stitch: A decorative technique where slip stitches are worked on the surface of the fabric.
81. Beg-cl – Beginning Cluster: Typically the first cluster stitch in a row or round.
82. Htr2tog – Half Treble Two Together: A decrease method in half treble crochet.
83. Htr3tog – Half Treble Three Together: A decrease method combining three half treble crochet stitches.
84. Yoh – Yarn Over Hook: Another way of saying ‘yarn over,’ often used in British crochet patterns.
85. Magic ring or Magic circle: A technique for starting projects worked in the round, creating a tightly closed center.
86. Beg – Beginning: Refers to the start of a row, round, or a sequence of stitches.
87. Tog – Together: Often used in decrease instructions, indicating that two or more stitches are to be worked together.
88. Pm – Place Marker: Used to mark a certain stitch or place in the pattern.
89. Rm – Remove Marker: Indicates when to remove a previously placed stitch marker.

Remember, different patterns may use abbreviations slightly differently, so always refer to the pattern’s abbreviation key if available. As you continue to crochet, these abbreviations will become more familiar, and reading patterns will become much easier.

These abbreviations cover a broad range of stitches and techniques that you might encounter in various crochet patterns. Each brings a unique texture or shape to your crochet work, allowing for endless creativity in your projects.