Crochet Abbreviations
Crochet patterns use crochet abbreviations that newbies may find confusing. So, use our handy guide for common crochet abbreviations!
Some common crochet abbreviations are always used in patterns, and there’s no explanation about them in the pattern. For a newbie, it can seem like gibberish or a completely different language.
But, once you get used to these abbreviations and what they mean, you’ll be reading patterns like a pro!
We have put together a list of crochet abbreviations that are most used by yarn industry designers and publishers. These definitions reflect the US crochet terminology.
Crochet Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| bef | before |
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| bl | back loop |
| blo | back loop only |
| bp | back post |
| bpdc | back post double crochet |
| bpdtr | back post double treble crochet |
| bphdc | back post half double crochet |
| bpsc | back post single crochet |
| bptr | back post treble crochet |
| CC | contrast color |
| ch | chain |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| cl | cluster |
| cont | continue |
| dc | double crochet |
| dc2tog | work two double crochet together |
| dcbp | back post double crochet |
| dcfp | front post double crochet |
| dec | decrease |
| dtr | double treble |
| ea | each |
| est | established |
| fdc | foundation double crochet |
| fhdc | foundation half double crochet |
| fl | front loop |
| flo | front loop only |
| fo | fasten off |
| foll | following |
| fp | front post |
| fpdc | front post double crochet |
| fpdtr | front post double treble crochet |
| fphdc | front post half double crochet |
| fpsc | front post single crochet |
| fptr | front post treble crochet |
| fsc | foundation single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| hdc2tog | work two half double crochet together |
| hk | hook |
| inc | increase |
| lp | loop |
| m | stitch marker |
| MC | main color |
| pat | pattern |
| pm | place marker |
| prev | previous |
| puff | puff stitch |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| sc2tog | work two single crochet together |
| sh | shell |
| sk | skip |
| sl | slip |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sm | slip marker |
| sp | space |
| st | stitch |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble crochet |
| trtr | triple treble crochet |
| tr2tog | work two treble crochet together |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
| yoh | yarn over hook |
| yrh | yarn round hook |
This is by no way a comprehensive list as a publisher may use some unique abbreviations in a pattern that might not be on this list. In such cases, a definition of the particular abbreviation is given at the beginning or end of the pattern or the book.
Here’s a downloadable PDF of these abbreviations for you!
You can also check out other crochet and knit resources from our website.
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