Crochet Abbreviations

All patterns on mycrochetmakes use US crochet terms. If you learned to crochet in the UK, Australia or Ireland, check the UK column: the same stitch can have a different name. The most common mix-up is that a US single crochet is a UK double crochet.

beg beginning

UK: beginning

Refers to the start of a row or round, e.g. "join to beg ch".

BLO back loop only

UK: back loop only

Work into the loop farthest from you instead of both loops. Creates a ridge on the front of the fabric.

BPdc back post double crochet

UK: back post treble (BPtr)

Work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, inserting the hook from the back. Pushes the stitch to the back; used in ribbing.

ch chain

UK: chain

Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. The foundation of most crochet.

dc double crochet

UK: treble crochet (tr)

Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (3 loops), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] twice. A tall stitch, about 3 chains high.

dc2tog double crochet 2 together

UK: treble 2 together (tr2tog)

A decrease: work two double crochets until the last step of each, then yarn over and pull through all loops.

dec decrease

UK: decrease

Reduce the stitch count, usually by working two stitches together.

FO fasten off

UK: fasten off

Cut the yarn and pull the tail through the last loop to secure.

FLO front loop only

UK: front loop only

Work into the loop closest to you only.

FPdc front post double crochet

UK: front post treble (FPtr)

Work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, inserting the hook from the front. Pops the stitch forward.

hdc half double crochet

UK: half treble crochet (htr)

Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over and pull through all 3. Between sc and dc in height.

inc increase

UK: increase

Work 2 stitches into the same stitch to add one stitch.

invdec invisible decrease

UK: invisible decrease

Insert hook into the front loops of the next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through both front loops, then complete as a single crochet. Nearly invisible on amigurumi.

MR magic ring

UK: magic ring

An adjustable loop used to start work in the round, pulled tight to close the centre with no hole.

pm place marker

UK: place marker

Clip a stitch marker into the stitch, often the first stitch of a round.

rep repeat

UK: repeat

Repeat the instructions given, usually those in brackets [ ] or between asterisks *.

rnd(s) round(s)

UK: round(s)

One full circuit when working in the round, as opposed to back-and-forth rows.

RS right side

UK: right side

The side of the work that will face out on the finished piece.

sc single crochet

UK: double crochet (dc)

Insert hook, pull up a loop (2 loops), yarn over and pull through both. A short, dense stitch used for most amigurumi.

sc2tog single crochet 2 together

UK: double crochet 2 together (dc2tog)

A decrease: pull up a loop in each of the next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

sk skip

UK: miss

Do not work into the next stitch; move past it.

sl st slip stitch

UK: slip stitch (ss)

Insert hook, yarn over and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. Used for joining and moving across stitches.

sp space

UK: space

The gap between stitches or under a chain, e.g. "ch-1 sp".

st(s) stitch(es)

UK: stitch(es)

Any single crochet stitch, or the stitches of the previous row.

tog together

UK: together

Work the stated stitches together as one, making a decrease.

tr treble crochet

UK: double treble (dtr)

Yarn over twice, insert hook, pull up a loop (4 loops), [yarn over, pull through 2] three times. About 4 chains tall.

WS wrong side

UK: wrong side

The side of the work that will face inward on the finished piece.

yo yarn over

UK: yarn over hook (yoh)

Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.