Complete Guide to Crochet Abbreviations

This list is in alphabetical order and constantly updated as The Crochet Crowd uses more abbreviations. Check back. Mikey is personally gathering abbreviations data from Yarnspirations.com to compile a list.

Terms with links have a matching free video tutorial showing how to do the stitch. The list is frequently updated and can be downloaded.

Absolute Basics of Crochet for Beginners

Each linked abbreviation has a dedicated tutorial to show you what to look at and how to do the stitch.

• Approx = Approximately
• Beg = Begin(ing)
• Bet = Between
• Ch = Chain
• Dc = Double crochet
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Prev = Previous
• Rem = Remain(ing)
• Rep = Repeat
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• RS = Right side, Extra Tip to Identify This
• Sc = Single crochet
• Sk = Skip
• Slip Knot = Slip knot
• Slip Knot Inv = Slip knot invisible
• Sp(s) = Space(s)
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Tog = Together
• Tr = Treble
• Turn = Turn the project around.
• WS = Wrong side
• Yoh or Yo = Yarn over hook

More Complex Abbreviations

• 2 dc cluster st = 2 double crochet cluster stitch.
• 3 dc cluster st = 3 double crochet cluster stitch.
• 4 dc cluster st = 4 double crochet cluster stitch.
• 5 dc cluster st = 5 double crochet cluster stitch.
• 2 dc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 2 double crochet.
• 3 dc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 3 double crochet.
• 4 dc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 4 double crochet.
• 5 dc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 5 double crochet.
• 2 dc shell = 2 double crochet in same stitch.
• 3 dc shell = 3 double crochet in same stitch.
• 4 dc shell = 4 double crochet in same stitch.
• 5 dc shell = 5 double crochet in same stitch.
• 2 hdc cluster st = 2 half double crochet cluster stitch.
• 3 hdc cluster st = 3 half double crochet cluster stitch.
• 4 hdc cluster st = 4 half double crochet cluster stitch.
• 5 hdc cluster st = 5 half double crochet cluster stitch.
• 2 hdc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 2 half double crochet.
• 3 hdc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 3 half double crochet.
• 4 hdc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 4 half double crochet.
• 5 hdc popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 5 half double crochet.
• 2 hdc shell = 2 half double crochet in same stitch.
• 3 hdc shell = 3 half double crochet in same stitch.
• 4 hdc shell = 4 half double crochet in same stitch.
• 5 hdc shell = 5 half double crochet in same stitch.
• 2 sc shell = 2 single crochet in same stitch.
• 3 sc shell = 3 single crochet in same stitch.
• 4 sc shell = 4 single crochet in same stitch.
• 5 sc shell = 5 single crochet in same stitch.
• 2 tr cluster st = 2 treble crochet cluster stitch.
• 3 tr cluster st = 3 treble crochet cluster stitch.
• 4 tr cluster st = 4 treble crochet cluster stitch.
• 5 tr cluster st = 5 treble crochet cluster stitch.
• 2 tr popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 2 treble crochet.
• 3 tr popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 3 treble crochet.
• 4 tr popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 4 treble crochet.
• 5 tr popcorn = Popcorn stitch made up of 5 treble crochet.
• 2 tr shell = 2 treble crochet in same stitch.
• 3 tr shell = 3 treble crochet in same stitch.
• 4 tr shell = 4 treble crochet in same stitch.
• 5 tr shell = 5 treble crochet in same stitch.
• 2togextsc = 2 together single crochet stitch
• Alt = Alternate or Alternating
• Beg Sunset Reflection St = Ch 3, 1 tr in same st (counts as 1), skip 2 sts, place tr4tog by placing 2 of the tog stitches in the next st, skip next 2 stitches, place next 2 tog stitches in the next st. Yoh and pull through 6 loops on hook.
• Big V-st(s) = Big V-stitch(es). 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc using same st.
• BLO or Blo = Back loop only
• Bp = Back Post
• Bpdc = Back post double crochet
• Break = The colour will be changed at the end of each round or row. Break means to end the colour, fasten off and weave in ends. This is typical to say break while the pattern is in progress and fastening off is usually used when the project is finished and there is no more to the section or pattern to be completed.
• Bs = Bean stitch
• Camel St = Camel Stitch
• CC = Contrast Colour
• Cl or Cluster = Clusters can be defined by the designer to mean many things. Watch the pattern for the instructions. (Yoh and insert into stitch, yoh and pull through stitch, yoh pull through 2 loops.) 4 times. 5 loops on hook, yoh and pull through all 5 loops.
• Cont = Continue
• Cr dcfp = Cross Double Crochet Front Post. Miss next dc. Dcfp around post of next dc, then dcfp around post of missed dc.
• Crab St = Crab stitch also known as the rsc or reverse single crochet.
• Dbl = Double
• Dc2tog = Double crochet 2 together.
• Dc3tog = Double crochet 3 together.
• Dc4tog = Double crochet 4 together.
• Dc5tog = Double crochet 5 together.
• Dcbp = Double crochet back post. Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at back of work, inserting hook from left to right. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.
• Dcfp = Double crochet front post Yoh and draw up a loop around post of stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.
• Dc blo = Double crochet back loop only
• Dc flo = Double crochet front loop only
• Dc xst = Double crochet cross stitch.
• Dclink = Double crochet link
• Dec = Decrease
• Dgs = Drunken granny stitch (4 dc. Ch 3. 1 dc) all in same assigned stitch or space.
• Dir = Directions
• Dk = Dark
• Dnt or DO NOT = Do not turn. It is usually bold to get your attention if the designer thinks it's important.
• Dtr or Dbl tr = Double treble
• Dtrcl = Double Treble Cluster, Yoh twice and draw up a loop in next stitch. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. Yoh twice and draw up a loop in same stitch. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• Ea = Each
• Ex Picot = Extended picot
• Ex sc = Extended single crochet. Extended extended single crochet. Insert hook into st, yoh, pull through, yoh, pull through 1 loop, yoh, pull through next loop, yoh, pull through final 2 loops.
• Fig = Figure 1 (picture of stitch)
• Flat Petal St = (1 tr, 5 dc, 1 tr) in same st. This stitch spans over 8 stitches.
• FLO or Flo = Front loop only
• Fo = Fasten off or finish.
• Foll = Follow(ing)
• Foundation dc = Foundation double crochet to start projects without chaining first.
• Foundation hdc = Foundation half double crochet to start projects without chaining first.
• Foundation sc = Foundation single crochet to start projects without chaining first.
• FP or scfp, hdcfp, dcfp or example = Front post
• Frog = Ripping out stitches or project to restart.
• Fth = From the hook. Usually used in reference of a location to put a crochet stitch when a chain is involved in some way.
• Gr = Group
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Hdc2tog = Half double crochet 2 together.
• Hdc3tog = Half double crochet 3 together.
• Hdc4tog = Half double crochet 4 together.
• Hdc5tog = Half double crochet 5 together.
• Hdc Join = Half double crochet join to the top of the beg ch or st.
• Hdcbp = Half double crochet back post. Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at back of work, inserting hook from right to left. Yoh and draw through through 3 loops on hook.
• Hdcblo = Half double crochet back loop only
• Hdcf2l = Half double crochet front two loops only. Yoh and draw up a loop in horizontal bar created by hdc at front of work and front loop in next st. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• Hdcf2lCluster = Half double crochet front 2 loops only forming cluster. (Yoh and draw up a loop in horizontal bar created by hdc at front of work and front loop) twice in next st. Yoh and draw through all 5 loops on hook.
• Hdcflo = Half double crochet front loops only
• Hdcfp = Half double crochet. Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. Yoh and draw through 3 loops on hook.
• Hdc Link = Half double crochet link stitch.
• Hk = Hook
• Htr = Half treble crochet (UK term)
• Inc = Increase
• Incl = Including
• Inst = Instructions
• Join = At the end of a round, join to the beginning stitch or top of a beginning chain with a slip stitch.
• Ldc = Long double crochet
• Lhdc = Long half double crochet
• Lp(s) = Loop(s). Referencing to loops on the hook or when a loop is dropped to be picked back up or left alone to create texture.
• Lsc = Long single crochet
• Ltr = Long treble crochet
• Lt = Light
• MC = Main color. Always upper case in lettering.
• Med = Medium. Usually in reference to sizing.
• No. = Number
• Pat = Pattern
• Pat St = Pattern has a repeat that's indicated on pattern.
• Pc rs = Popcorn on right side.
• Pc st = Popcorn stitch, see pattern for definitions as not a standard stitch or count.
• Pc ws = Popcorn on wrong side.
• Picot = Ch 3. Sl st back into last sc worked.
• Prev = Previous
• Puff St = Puff stitch. This can be a combination of different stitches. Commonly used half double crochet. Linked in the (Yoh and Insert hook into assigned stitch or space. Yoh, draw through stitch or sp, yoh and through 2 loops on hook.) 3 times. Yoh and draw through 3 loops only, leaving the last 2 loops on hook. Yoh and draw through the last 2 loops.
• Rsc = Reverse single crochet
• Sc2tog = Single crochet 2 together.
• Sc3tog = Single crochet 3 together.
• Sc4tog = Single crochet 4 together.
• Sc5tog = Single crochet 5 together.
• Scblo = Single crochet back loops only
• Scbp = Single crochet back post
• Scf2l = Single crochet front 2 loops only. Draw up a loop in horizontal bar created by hdc at front of work and front loop in next st. Yoh and draw through.
• Scflo = Single crochet front loops only
• Scfp = Single crochet front post
• Sc xst = Single crochet cross stitch.
• Shark Fin St = 1 sc, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, 1 tr in next. Ch 3, 6 dc along the tr post. Sk next 2 sts.
• Sl cl = Slanted cluster, sk 3 sts, (3 dc, ch 3, 1 sc) in next st.
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• Spec Tog St = 1 dc + 1 hdc together as a st. The dc will use the next empty or assigned stitch 2 rnds below by going over top of the ch 1 completely so the ch 1 is encased inside the dc. Then use the next hdc st in rnd below to bring them together.
• Spike dc = Spike double crochet
• Spike hdc = Spike half double crochet
• Spike sc = Spike single crochet
• Spike tr = Spike treble crochet
• Splhdc = Split half double crochet, work hdc between ‘legs’ at front to back of stitch (splitting stitch) instead of through top loops.
• Splsc = Split single crochet, work sc between 'legs' at the front to back of stitch (splitting stitch) instead of through top loops.
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Standing Dc = Form split knot and insert onto the hook. Hold knot with finger and wrap the yarn around the hook. Insert into the stitch, you and pull through. (Yoh and pull through 2 loops) twice.
• Standing Hdc = Standing half double crochet. Form split knot and insert onto the hook. Hold knot with finger and wrap the yarn around the hook. Insert into the stitch, you and pull through. Yoh and pull through 3 loops.
• Standing Sc = Standing single crochet. Form slip knot and insert onto the hook. Insert hook into st, yoh and pull loop through, yoh through 2 loops.
• Standing Scbp = Standing single crochet back post.
• Standing Tr = Standing treble. Form split knot and insert onto the hook. Hold knot with finger and wrap the yarn around the hook twice. Insert into the stitch, you and pull through. (Yoh and pull through 2 loops) three times.
• Sunset Reflection St = Tr6tog spanning over the next 7 stitches. Place 2 tr stitches in first st, skip 2 sts, place 2 stitches in next st, skip 2 stitches, place last 2 stitches in next st. Yoh and pull through all 7 loops.
• Tch = Turning chain
• Tr2tog = Treble crochet 2 together, *Yoh twice and draw up a loop in next stitch. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat from * once. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• Tr3tog = Treble crochet 3 together.
• Tr4tog = Treble crochet 4 together, *Yoh twice and draw up a loop in next stitch. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat from * 3 times. Yoh and draw through all 5 loops on hook.
• Tr5tog = Treble 5 together.
• Trbp4tog = Treble crochet back post 4 together, *Yoh twice and draw up a loop around post of stitch at back of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat from * 3 more times. Yoh and draw through all 5 loops on hook.
• Trbp8tog Treble crochet back post 8 together, *Yoh twice and draw up a loop around post of stitch at back of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat from * 7 more times. Yoh and draw through all 9 loops on hook.
• Trblo = Treble back loop only
• Trbp = Treble back post, Yoh twice and draw up a loop around post of stitch at back of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) three times.
• Trflo = Treble front loop only
• Trfp2tog = Treble crochet front post 2 together, *Yoh twice and draw up a loop around post of stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat from *once. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• Trfp = Treble front post, Yoh twice and draw up a loop around post of stitch at front of work, inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) three times.
• Ttr = Triple treble
• X-st = Skip next st or sp, dc in next st or sp, dc in skipped st or sp. This could have several definitions based on the pattern.
• Xsc = Skip the 1st st, 1 sc in next st. 1 sc in the skipped st and directly over the first st to bury it. Yo(h) Yarn over or yarn over hook.
• X times = Repeating the instruction the number of times suggested. X is replaced with number for instruction.
• Yuh or Yu = Yarn under hook

Reading Instructions Tip

Remember that abbreviations are used like regular punctuation in a sentence. Capitalization matches the sentence structure. Here’s an example:

3rd row: Ch 3, counts as dc here and throughout. 1 dc in each st across. Turn.

Tunisian

• 2togextsc = 2 together extended single crochet
• Beginning cl = Beginning Cluster. Ch 2, yo, insert hook in same sp as joining, yo and draw up a lp to height of ch-2, yo and draw through all lps on hook.
• Bind Off = Insert hook into the vertical bar of the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on the hook. Repeat until the end of the row.
• Brioche St = Tunisian brioche stitch.
• Cast on = Cast On (to start project)
• Ch = Chain stitch
• Cl = Cluster. [Yo, insert hook in specified st, yo and draw up a lp to height of ch-2] twice, yo and draw through all lps on hook.
• FwP = Forward pass. Sk first vertical bar; *insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and draw up a lp; repeat from * across.
• Griddle st = Griddle stitch.
• Honey Comb St = Tunisian honey comb stitch.
• Loh = Loop(s) on hook
• Long dc = Yo, insert hook under specified st, yo and draw up a lp to height of row in work, [yo and draw through 2 lps on hook] twice.
• Lp(s) = Loop(s).
• Mtss = Modified Tunisian simple stitch
• Puff Lace St = Puff lace stitch.
• Rep = Repeat
• RetP = Return pass. Yo and draw through one lp on hook; *yo and draw through 2 lps on hook; repeat from * until only one lp remains on hook.
• Shadow st = Shadow stitch.
• Sk = Skip
• Sl St = Slip Stitch
• St(s) = Stitch(es
• Surface slip st = Surface slip stitch. With yarn held on underside, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over, pull loop to right side and through loop on hook.
• Tds = Tunisian double stitch
• Tfs = Tunisian full stitch, Insert hook from front to back under horizontal bar between two sts, yo and pull up a loop.
• Thds = Tunisian half double stitch
• Textss = Tunisian extended simple stitch
• Tinc = Tunisian increase stitch. Insert hook in top loop of horizontal strand between last 2 stitches, yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Tks = Tunisian knit stitch. Holding working yarn behind work, insert hook through work from front to back between strands of next vertical bar, yarn over and draw up a loop.
• Tlds = Tunisian lace double stitch.
• Tps = Tunisian purl stitch. Bring yarn to front, insert hook under next front vertical bar as if to work Tunisian simple stitch, bring yarn across front of vertical bar and to back, yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Tpicot st = Tunisian picot stitch.
• Trs = Tunisian reverse stitch
• Tss = Tunisian simple stitch, Insert hook from right to left under next vertical bar, yo and pull up a lp.
• Tss2tog = Tunisian simple stitch 2 together which means decrease. Working from right to left, holding working yarn behind work, insert hook under next 2 vertical bars, yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Tssl = Tunisian simple slanted stitch
• Tstw = Tunisian simple twisted stitch
• Ttr = Tunisian treble stitch
• Yo = Yarn over

Reading Measurement & Repeating Standards

Information from the Craft Yarn Council.

• “ or in = Inch
• cm = Centimeter
• dia = Diameter
• g = Gram
• m = Meter
• mm = Millimeter
• oz = Ounce
• yd(s) = Yard(s)
• * = Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
• ** = Repeat instructions between the asterisks as many times as directed or repeat at specified locations.
• { } = Work instructions within the brackets as many times as directed.
• [ ] = Work instructions within the brackets as many times as directed.
• ( ) = Work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed or work a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space.

Crochet abbreviations are used in patterns. If you are new to crochet, getting used to seeing short-form abbreviations in the instructions may take a bit. This is done so that patterns don't have to be mini novels. It can simplify instructions. The list is general; typically, if a designer has used something unusual, they make a note and explain the abbreviation.

Crochet abbreviations and terminology have become standard thanks to the Yarn Craft Council of America. It is a council where yarn companies and designers come together to create standards where yarn users like you and I can count on being the same. If you look at yarn ball labels in the major retailers, you will notice that the terminology, symbols, and more are similar among all major yarn manufacturers.

Not everyone follows this standard. Some new designers are unaware of standards and may make up their own abbreviations. Usually, these types of patterns are self-published. Following a standard makes it easier for everyone.

The terms are in North American Standards. 

Download the Simple Abbreviations List Here

Not all abbreviations on this page are provided in the download, as some are very specific and not used often.

More Helpful Links

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More Pattern Abbreviations

Summary

Article Name

Get The List of Crochet Abbreviations Used by The Crochet Crowd

Description

Discover the abbreviations and their meanings for crochet. Basic list is a free downloadable.

Author

Michael Sellick

Publisher Name

The Crochet Crowd

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