Crochet Terms and Abbreviations Explained: UK vs US

If you’ve ever picked up a crochet pattern and felt completely lost despite knowing how to crochet, there’s a good chance you were reading instructions written in a different dialect than the one you learned. No, not Spanish or French — just UK versus US crochet terminology. It’s one of the most confusing aspects of the craft for beginners and even experienced crocheters who have only ever worked with patterns from one country. A US single crochet is not the same as a UK single crochet. A US double crochet is not the same as a UK double crochet. In fact, the two systems are offset by roughly one stitch the whole way up the ladder, which means if you follow a UK pattern using US assumptions (or vice versa), your finished project will look nothing like the photo.

This guide is here to untangle all of it. We’ll cover every major stitch term and abbreviation, explain the differences clearly, give you a handy reference you can bookmark, and help you figure out which system a pattern is using when it doesn’t tell you outright.

Why Do UK and US Crochet Terms Differ?

The short answer is history. Crochet terminology developed independently on both sides of the Atlantic, and by the time patterns were being widely published and shared, the two systems had already diverged. Neither is more “correct” than the other — they simply grew up in different places with different naming conventions. The UK system tends to name stitches in a more literal progression (single, double, treble, double treble), while the US system has its own logic too, though the stitch that US crocheters call a “double crochet” would be called a “treble crochet” in the UK, which is where a lot of the confusion begins.

With the rise of the internet and platforms like Ravelry, YouTube, and Instagram, patterns from all over the world are now accessible to everyone. That’s wonderful for the craft — but it means you absolutely need to know which system a pattern is written in before you pick up your hook.

How to Tell Which System a Pattern Uses

Before diving into the full stitch comparison, here’s a quick way to check which terminology a pattern uses. Look for a “sc” (single crochet). If the pattern uses “sc,” it’s almost certainly a US pattern, because UK patterns don’t use the term “single crochet” at all — that stitch is called a “double crochet” (dc) in the UK. Conversely, if you see “dc” used for the most basic, beginner-level tall stitch in a simple pattern, and especially if the pattern comes from a UK-based designer, it’s probably a UK pattern.

Many modern patterns will state upfront which terminology they use, often written as “This pattern is written in US terms” or “This pattern uses UK terminology.” Always look for this note before you start. It can usually be found at the top of the pattern, in the materials/notes section, or just before the stitch abbreviations list.

If the pattern doesn’t say, check:

Where the designer is based. UK, Australian, and South African designers typically use UK terms. US, Canadian, and many other global designers use US terms.

The abbreviation list. If “dc” appears and means a very basic stitch with just one yarn over, it’s a UK pattern. If “dc” appears in a context suggesting a mid-height stitch that requires one yarn over before inserting the hook, it’s likely US.

The presence of “sl st” versus “ss.” Both mean slip stitch, but “ss” is more commonly seen in UK patterns while “sl st” is more common in US patterns.

The Master Comparison: UK vs US Crochet Stitch Names

Here is a comprehensive side-by-side guide to every standard crochet stitch, showing how the two systems relate to each other. This is the section to bookmark.

Slip Stitch
US: slip stitch (sl st) — UK: slip stitch (ss or sl st). This one is essentially the same in both systems, though the abbreviation differs slightly. A slip stitch is the shortest crochet stitch — used for joining rounds, moving across stitches, and surface decoration. No yarn over is involved; you simply insert the hook, catch the yarn, and pull it directly through both the stitch and the loop already on your hook.

Single Crochet / Double Crochet
US: single crochet (sc) — UK: double crochet (dc). This is the one that trips people up the most. In US terms, a single crochet is a short, compact stitch made by inserting the hook, yarning over, pulling up a loop, yarning over again, and pulling through both loops. It creates a dense, firm fabric. In UK terms, this exact same stitch is called a double crochet. So if a UK pattern says “dc,” don’t panic — it’s just asking you to make what Americans call a “sc.” The stitch is identical; only the name is different.

Half Double Crochet / Half Treble Crochet
US: half double crochet (hdc) — UK: half treble crochet (htr). This is a medium-height stitch that sits between a single/double and a double/treble. You yarn over before inserting the hook, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), then pull the yarn through all three loops at once. It creates a slightly softer, stretchier fabric than the single/double crochet, and has a characteristic horizontal bar across its neck. The stitch construction is identical in both systems.

Double Crochet / Treble Crochet
US: double crochet (dc) — UK: treble crochet (tr). This is the workhorse stitch of crochet. Tall, elegant, and fast to work up, it creates an open, drapey fabric. You yarn over before inserting the hook, pull up a loop, then work off the loops two at a time in two steps. When a US pattern says “dc,” it means this stitch. When a UK pattern says “tr,” it means this same stitch. This mismatch causes a huge amount of confusion for crocheters who have used patterns from both countries.

Treble Crochet / Double Treble Crochet
US: treble crochet (tr) — UK: double treble crochet (dtr). A tall stitch that involves two yarn overs before inserting the hook. After pulling up a loop, you work off the loops two at a time in three steps. It creates an open, airy texture and is commonly used in lace patterns, shawls, and decorative stitch patterns.

Double Treble Crochet / Triple Treble Crochet
US: double treble crochet (dtr) — UK: triple treble crochet (ttr or trtr). Three yarn overs before inserting the hook. This is a very tall stitch, used in dramatic lace work, statement stitch patterns, and certain floral motifs. It’s worked off in four steps of two loops each.

Triple Treble Crochet / Quadruple Treble Crochet
US: triple treble crochet (trtr) — UK: quadruple treble crochet (qtr). Four yarn overs. This is one of the tallest standard stitches and appears in highly specialised lace and textured patterns. It’s not commonly used, but knowing it exists can save you from total confusion if you ever encounter it.

Quick Reference Conversion Table

If you want a simple at-a-glance cheat sheet, here it is written out clearly:

US slip stitch (sl st) = UK slip stitch (ss)
US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)
US half double crochet (hdc) = UK half treble crochet (htr)
US double crochet (dc) = UK treble crochet (tr)
US treble crochet (tr) = UK double treble crochet (dtr)
US double treble crochet (dtr) = UK triple treble crochet (ttr)
US triple treble crochet (trtr) = UK quadruple treble crochet (qtr)

The pattern holds: every US stitch name is essentially one “level” behind the UK name. Once you see this, you’ll never forget it.

Common Crochet Abbreviations: Both Systems

Beyond the stitch names themselves, there are plenty of other abbreviations that appear in patterns. Most of these are the same across both systems, which is reassuring.

beg — beginning. Used at the start of a row or round, as in “beg ch” (beginning chain).

BL or BLO — back loop only. Instructions to work into only the back loop of a stitch, which creates a ribbed or textured effect.

BP — back post. As in “BPdc” (US) or “BPtr” (UK), meaning you insert the hook around the post (the vertical body) of a stitch from the back. Creates a raised texture.

ch — chain. The foundation of most crochet projects. A series of interlocking loops formed by repeatedly yarning over and pulling through the loop on your hook.

ch sp — chain space. The open loop or gap created by a chain section within a pattern, often used in lace and granny squares.

cont — continue. Usually means to carry on in the established pattern.

dec — decrease. Reducing the number of stitches in a row or round to shape a piece.

FL or FLO — front loop only. Working into only the front loop of a stitch. Like BLO, this creates texture.

FP — front post. Inserting the hook around the post of a stitch from the front, creating a raised, embossed effect. “FPdc” in US terms, “FPtr” in UK terms.

inc — increase. Working more than one stitch into the same stitch to add stitches and expand the fabric.

lp(s) — loop(s).

MC — main colour. Used in colourwork patterns.

pm — place marker. A reminder to pop a stitch marker into the work at a specific point for reference.

rem — remaining. As in “work across rem sts” (work across remaining stitches).

rep — repeat. Instructions within asterisks or brackets are repeated as directed.

rnd(s) — round(s). Used in patterns worked in the round, like granny squares, amigurumi, or hats.

RS — right side. The “public” face of the fabric, intended to be seen.

sk — skip. In US patterns, this means to pass over the next stitch without working into it. UK patterns sometimes use “miss” instead of “skip,” so “miss 1 st” in a UK pattern is the same as “sk 1 st” in a US pattern.

sp(s) — space(s). The gaps between stitches, especially in lace or mesh patterns.

st(s) — stitch(es).

t-ch or tch — turning chain. The chain(s) worked at the beginning of a row to bring your hook up to the correct height for the stitches in that row.

tog — together. As in “dc2tog” (US) meaning work two double crochets together as a decrease, or “tr2tog” (UK) for the same thing.

WS — wrong side. The back or interior face of the fabric.

yo — yarn over. The action of wrapping the yarn over the hook from back to front.

yoh — yarn over hook. The same action as “yo,” just written differently. More common in UK patterns.

A Note on the Turning Chain

The turning chain is another place where UK and US patterns can look different, not because the abbreviation changes, but because the chain count at the beginning of a row depends on which stitch follows it. Since the stitch names are offset, you’ll sometimes see a “ch 3” to begin a row of what the UK calls trebles (which are US doubles) and a “ch 3” to begin a row of what the US calls trebles (which are UK double trebles). The underlying logic is the same, but the numbers and stitch names attached to them can look confusing if you’re not aware of what’s going on.

As a general rule: the turning chain height corresponds to the height of the stitch you’re about to work. A chain of 1 is typical before single crochet (US) or double crochet (UK). A chain of 2 goes before half double crochet (US) or half treble (UK). A chain of 3 before double crochet (US) or treble (UK). A chain of 4 before treble crochet (US) or double treble (UK). And so on. This rule applies universally — the only confusion is matching the stitch name to the right chain height in each system.

Special Stitches and Techniques

Some abbreviations refer to techniques rather than specific stitches. These tend to be the same in both UK and US patterns, with only minor variation.

Magic ring (also called magic circle, adjustable ring, or MR) — A technique for starting projects worked in the round that allows you to close the centre hole tightly. UK patterns may also call it a magic loop, though that term sometimes refers to a knitting technique, so context matters.

Bobble — A cluster of partially worked stitches joined at the top to create a rounded bump on the fabric. Worked on the right side, the bump appears on the wrong side. Some patterns use “bobble” and “cluster” interchangeably, so always check how the pattern defines it.

Cluster (cl) — Multiple stitches worked into the same stitch or space and joined at the top, creating a gathered effect. Often written as “3dc-cl” or “3tr-cl” depending on your system.

Puff stitch — A series of half-completed stitches (usually hdc/htr) worked into the same point and closed together to form a soft, puffy bump.

Popcorn — A group of complete stitches worked into the same stitch, then the first and last are joined to create a pronounced, three-dimensional pop. Unlike bobbles or clusters, the stitches are fully completed before being joined.

Shell — A group of stitches (typically three, four, or five) worked into the same stitch or space, fanning out to form a shell shape.

V-stitch — Two stitches with a chain between them, worked into the same stitch or space, creating a V shape.

Spike stitch — A stitch worked into a row below the current one, creating a long, elongated leg. Used in colourwork and textured patterns.

Reverse single crochet / Reverse double crochet (also known as crab stitch) — Worked backwards (right to left for right-handed crocheters), creating a twisted, rope-like edging. Called “reverse sc” in US patterns and “reverse dc” in UK patterns, since the underlying stitch is what each system calls it.

Amigurumi and the Magic Ring

A quick word for those who crochet amigurumi (crocheted stuffed toys). These patterns almost universally use US terminology, regardless of where the designer is from, because amigurumi originated in Japan and became internationally popular largely through US-language platforms and tutorials. If you’re following an amigurumi pattern, you can usually assume US terms are in use. The stitches involved are almost always single crochet (US sc), slip stitch (sl st), and occasionally half double crochet (hdc), and patterns are typically worked in a continuous spiral rather than joined rounds.

Tips for Working Across Both Systems

The most practical thing you can do is print out or save a copy of the comparison table above and keep it next to you when you’re working on a new pattern. After a few projects in each system, the conversion becomes second nature.

It also helps to think of the UK system as “shifted one name up.” Every stitch in the US is called by the next name up in the UK. Single becomes double, double becomes treble, treble becomes double treble. If you internalise that one rule, you can convert on the fly without needing to look anything up.

When you’re buying patterns or following tutorials online, pay attention to the source. UK-based shops like LoveCrafts and Wool Warehouse, and designers based in the UK, Ireland, Australia, or South Africa, will generally use UK terms. US-based Ravelry patterns, American craft store patterns (Lion Brand, Red Heart, and so on), and most YouTube tutorials created by US crocheters will use US terms.

If you’re ever unsure mid-project, work a swatch and compare your stitch height to the photo. A pattern that calls for a tall, open fabric and produces something very short and dense suggests you may be using the wrong stitch. Likewise, if your fabric is growing much more quickly and