Abbreviations and Symbols
Understanding crochet patterns is essential for a smooth crafting experience. Here's a handy list of common crochet abbreviations to help you decode any pattern with ease:
| Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | begin/beginning |
| bet | between |
| BL or BLO | back loop or back loop only |
| bo | bobble |
| 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 | contrasting color |
| ch | chain stitch |
| ch- | refers to chain or space previously made, e.g., ch-1 space |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| CL | cluster |
| cont | continue |
| dc | double crochet |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
| dec | decrease |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| edc | extended double crochet |
| ehdc | extended half double crochet |
| esc | extended single crochet |
| etr | extended treble crochet |
| FL or FLO | front loop or front loop only |
| 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 |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
| inc | increase |
| lp | loop |
| m | marker |
| MC | main color |
| pat or patt | pattern |
| pc | popcorn stitch |
| pm | place marker |
| prev | previous |
| ps or puff | puff stitch |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
| sh | shell |
| sk | skip |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sm or sl m | slip marker |
| sp | space |
| st | stitch |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tch or t-ch | turning chain |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble crochet |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
| trtr | triple treble crochet |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
| yoh | yarn over hook |
Common Symbols
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| * | repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
| ** | repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat at specified locations |
| { } | work instructions within brackets as many times as directed |
| [ ] | work instructions within 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 |
Common Measurements
| Measurement | Description |
|---|---|
| ” or in | inch |
| cm | centimeter |
| g | gram |
| m | meter |
| mm | millimeter |
| oz | ounce |
| yd | yard |
