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Familiarizing crochet abbreviations and terms is another crucial skill that will prove useful in this craft.

At first glance, it can be a little intimidating. But no matter how many crochet abbreviations and terms there are, you have nothing to worry about. As long as you have a handy guide at your disposal, you will be able to start working, one project at a time.
Just like knitting, crochet also has a whole set of abbreviations and terms. You will find some of them quite easy to remember. While some others will take a few tries before you get used to them.
That is why I made this compilation of crochet abbreviations and terms. It’s divided into categories according to their use for your convenience. You will also see that some crochet techniques and stitch pattern tutorials contain links to useful tutorials.
In addition, crochet pattern books will specify crochet abbreviations at the beginning of a pattern.
Finally, the definitions I included in this compilation are US crochet terminology. It is essential to note that some US terminologies may differ from UK and Canada terminologies. You will also find a few of them listed in this article.
Table of Contents
Standard Crochet Abbreviations
Typically, design patterns and books follow a standard set of crochet abbreviations. Plus, they often indicate whether they use it’s US/Canada or UK definitions.
Moreover, you can refer to the Special Abbreviations section, usually at the beginning or end of the pattern, if you come across unusual combination of stitches.
For a more complete list of common crochet terms and abbreviations that you can refer to, check out this chart.
Abbrev. | Term | Abbrev. | Term |
ALT | alternate | HDC | |
APPROX | approximately | HDC2TOG | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
BEG | begin/beginning | INC | increase |
BET | between | LP | loop |
BL/BLO | back loop/back loop only | M | marker |
BO | bobble | MC | main color |
BP | back post | PAT | pattern |
BPDC | back post double crochet | PC | popcorn stitch |
BPDTR | back post double treble crochet | PM | place marker |
BPHDC | back post half double crochet | PREV | previous |
BPSC | back post single crochet | PS/PUFF | puff stitch |
BPTR | back post treble crochet | REM | remaining |
CC | contrast color | RND(S) | round(s) |
CH | REP | repeat | |
CH-SP | chain space | RS | right side |
CL | cluster | SC | |
CONT | continue | SH | shell |
DC | SC2TOG | single crochet 2 stitches together | |
DC2TOG | double crochet 2 stitches together | SC DEC | single crochet decrease |
DEC | decrease | SK | skip |
DTR | double treble | SL ST | slip stitch |
EDC | extended double crochet | SM/SL M | slip marker |
EHDC | extended half double crochet | SP | space |
ESC | extended single crochet | ST | stitch |
ETC | extended treble crochet | TBL | through back loop |
FL/FLO | front loop/front loop only | TCH/TC-H | turning chain |
FOLL | following | TOG | together |
FP | front post | TR | |
FPDC | front post double crochet | TRTR | triple treble crochet |
FPDTR | front post double treble crochet | TR2TOG | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
FPHDC | front post half double crochet | WS | wrong side |
FPSC | front post single crochet | YO | yarn over |
FPTR | front post treble crochet | YOH | yarn over hook |
FSC | foundation single crochet |
Common Measurements and Terms
In addition to the standard abbreviations listed above, there are also what the crochet community considers as instructional and measurement symbols and abbreviations.
As the name suggests, these are symbols and abbreviation that each represent a certain crochet instruction or technique.
You will also encounter them quite often in patterns. Some, specifically the measurements, you might already be familiar with. But some might not be too familiar, so when you do see them, it’s crucial to know what to do.
The next chart will show you the most common of these symbols and abbreviations, and their corresponding instruction or measurement.
Symbol/Abbrev. | Term/Meaning |
* | repeat instructions following the asterisk as directed |
** | Repeat instructions between two asterisks as many times as indicated / repeat at specified locations |
( ) | work instructions within parentheses as many times as indicated / work group of stitches all in the same stitch or space |
[ ] | work instructions within brackets as many times as indicated |
{ } | work instructions within brackets as many times as indicated |
in / “ | inch |
cm | centimeter |
g | gram |
m | meter |
mm | millimeter |
oz | ounce |
yd | yard |
FO | finished object |
incl | include / including / inclusive |
rev | reverse - usually used with other abbreviations, i.e. rev sc (reverse single crochet) |
UFO | unfinished object or set aside - used in written conversation more so than in patterns |
WIP | work in progress - indicates that a work is in progress |
What is Tunisian Crochet?
Tunisian crochet is a type of crochet that works multiple loops on the hook at the same time.
To do this, it requires an elongated hook known as the Afghan hook, typically 11 inches to 14 inches long. That’s approximately 28 cm to 35 cm in the metric system. Whereas traditional crochet makes use of crochet hooks that are 6 inches (about 15 cm) long.
Here is where it becomes interesting. The Tunisian crochet combines some of the crochet techniques with knitting techniques. Both of which effectively complement each other, that is why it has its own set of stitches and techniques.
In fact, this type of crochet creates a fabric that’s less stretchable than what you would normally get with traditional crochet. In addition, it results in gorgeous textures, as well as a neater, more natural border on the fabric.
Tunisian crochet is also known by different names, like Railroad Knitting, Cro-hooking, and Shepherd’s Knitting. But it is more commonly referred to as Afghan Crochet.
Tunisian Abbreviations
As a subset of the traditional crochet, Tunisian crochet has its own set of stitches and abbreviations. For those who want to master the techniques, this is where it all starts.
Abbrev. | Term |
ETSS | Extended Tunisian simple stitch |
FwP | Forward pass |
RetP | Return pass |
TDC | Tunisian double crochet |
TFS | Tunisian full stitch |
THDC | Tunisian half double crochet |
TKS | Tunisian knit stitch |
TPS | Tunisian purl stitch |
TRS | Tunisian reverse stitch |
TSC | Tunisian single crochet |
TSS | Tunisian simple stitch |
TSLST | Tunisian slip stitch |
TTR | Tunisian treble crochet |
TTW | Tunisian twisted |
WIP | work in progress - indicates that a work is in progress |
Final Tips
As I mentioned previously, the charts in this article use the US crochet definitions.
However, note that pattern designers and publishers in the US, Canada, and the UK may use different abbreviations to mean the same instruction.
On the other hand, some use the same abbreviation to mean different instructions. Hence, the inconsistencies that you might find in some of the patterns, especially in the newer ones.
The chart below will show you an example of these differences.
US/Canada and UK Terms and Abbreviations
US / Canada | UK | ||
SL ST | slip stitch | SS | slip stitch |
SC | DC | double crochet | |
HDC | HTR | half treble | |
DC | TR | treble | |
TR | DTR | double treble | |
DTR | double treble | TRTR | triple treble |
US | UK / Canada | ||
YO | yarn over | YOH | yarn over hook |
gauge | tension |
If you need a full guide on this, you can look it up here: Crochet Terms: The Differences Between US and UK Crochet Terms Explained.