Crochet Abbreviations Chart (US & UK) - Complete List + Examples
Crochet Abbreviations Chart (US & UK) — Complete List + Examples
Every crochet abbreviation in one place, decoded in plain English with US and UK terms and worked examples. Bookmark this chart so you can read any pattern with confidence.
Basic crochet abbreviations
| Abbr. | US meaning | UK equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ch | Chain | Chain (same) |
| sl st | Slip stitch | Slip stitch (same) |
| sc | Single crochet | dc — double crochet |
| hdc | Half double crochet | htr — half treble |
| dc | Double crochet | tr — treble |
| tr | Treble (triple) crochet | dtr — double treble |
| dtr | Double treble crochet | trtr — triple treble |
| st / sts | Stitch / stitches | same |
| sp | Space | same |
| yo | Yarn over (hook) | yoh |
| sk | Skip | miss (m) |
| rep | Repeat | same |
| rnd / rnds | Round / rounds | same |
| beg | Beginning | same |
| tch / t-ch | Turning chain | same |
Shaping & technique abbreviations
| Abbr. | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| inc | Increase | Usually 2 stitches in one stitch |
| dec | Decrease | Combine 2 stitches into 1 |
| sc2tog | Single crochet 2 together | A decrease worked over 2 stitches |
| dc2tog | Double crochet 2 together | A taller decrease |
| invdec | Invisible decrease | Front loops only — best for amigurumi |
| MR / mc | Magic ring / magic circle | Adjustable starting loop |
| FLO | Front loop only | Work into the front loop |
| BLO | Back loop only | Work into the back loop |
| FPdc | Front post double crochet | Around the post, from the front |
| BPdc | Back post double crochet | Around the post, from the back |
| cl | Cluster | Several stitches joined at top |
| tog | Together | Used in decreases |
| RS / WS | Right side / wrong side | Front / back of the work |
| FO | Fasten off | Finish and secure the yarn |
| pm | Place marker | Mark a stitch or round start |
This chart is the printable companion to our card-style crochet glossary. For the full stitch-name translation between traditions, see our US vs UK crochet terms chart.
Worked examples — the tricky ones explained
sc2tog — "single crochet 2 together." Insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop; insert into the following stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook); yarn over and pull through all 3. Two stitches become one — a decrease.invdec — the invisible decrease used in amigurumi. Insert your hook into the front loops only of the next two stitches, then yarn over and pull through all loops. It leaves no visible gap, perfect for smooth toy faces.sc in next 3 sts — work one single crochet into each of the next three stitches (3 stitches total).[sc, inc] × 6 — repeat the instructions inside the brackets six times. Here you'd work 1 single crochet, then an increase, six times around (18 stitches).FLO / BLO — work only into the front loop (FLO) or back loop (BLO) of each stitch instead of both loops. BLO creates a ribbed, stretchy texture; FLO is used for joins and surface details.ch 2 (counts as dc) — the turning chain stands in for the first double crochet of the row, so you skip the first stitch.Reading a full instruction
Put it together and a line like Rnd 3: [sc in next 2 sts, inc] × 6 (24) simply means: in round 3, repeat "one single crochet in each of the next two stitches, then an increase" six times, ending with 24 stitches. Once the abbreviations click, every pattern reads like a sentence. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to read a crochet pattern.
Frequently asked questions
What does sc mean in crochet?
"sc" means single crochet — the most basic crochet stitch in US terms. In UK terms the same stitch is called double crochet (dc).
What does sc2tog mean?
"sc2tog" means single crochet two stitches together — a decrease that combines two stitches into one, reducing your stitch count by one.
What does FLO and BLO mean in crochet?
FLO means front loop only and BLO means back loop only — you work into just one loop of the stitch instead of both. BLO creates a ribbed, stretchy texture.
What is an invisible decrease (invdec)?
An invisible decrease works into the front loops only of the next two stitches to combine them with no visible gap — ideal for smooth amigurumi.
Are crochet abbreviations the same in the US and UK?
The non-stitch abbreviations are mostly the same, but stitch names differ: a US single crochet (sc) is a UK double crochet (dc), and so on. See our US vs UK terms chart.
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