Crochet Glossary — 50+ Terms Every Maker Should Know
The Complete Crochet Glossary 🧶
Every stitch, abbreviation, and term you need — explained in plain English for beginners and pros alike.
Whether you're picking up a hook for the very first time or you've made dozens of amigurumi, a clear glossary is your best friend. Bookmark this page and refer back any time a pattern uses a term you're unsure about. Every MrsCrochetWorld pattern also spells out its abbreviations, so you're never left guessing.
Basic stitches
The essentials
- Chain (ch)
- The foundation of almost every project — a row of interlocking loops.
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- A flat, short stitch used to join rounds or move across without adding height.
- Single crochet (sc)
- The workhorse stitch; tight and sturdy — the heart of amigurumi.
- Half double crochet (hdc)
- A touch taller than sc, soft and quick — lovely for hats and scarves.
Taller & textured
- Double crochet (dc)
- Tall with beautiful drape — perfect for blankets and garments.
- Treble crochet (tr)
- Even taller; creates an airy, open fabric.
- Bobble / Popcorn
- Clusters that pop off the fabric for texture and 3D detail.
- Shell stitch
- Several stitches worked into one point, fanning out like a shell.
Common abbreviations
Stitches & actions
- inc / dec
- Increase / decrease — add or remove a stitch to shape your work.
- st(s)
- Stitch(es).
- rep
- Repeat.
- yo
- Yarn over — wrap the yarn around the hook.
- sk
- Skip.
Placement & counts
- FLO / BLO
- Front / back loop only — work into just one loop for ridges or seams.
- MR / magic ring
- An adjustable starting loop for working in the round (key for amigurumi).
- rnd / row
- Round (worked in a circle) / row (worked back and forth).
- ( ) x6
- Repeat the sequence in brackets six times.
Yarn & hooks
Yarn “weight” means thickness, not how much it weighs. It runs from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo) — the thicker the yarn, the bigger the hook and the faster your project grows. For a full chart, see our Yarn & Hook Size Guide.
Yarn terms
- Worsted (CYC 4)
- The most popular all-rounder — great for toys, bags and blankets.
- DK (CYC 3)
- Slightly finer; lovely for amigurumi and garments.
- Gauge / tension
- How many stitches fit in a measured square — controls finished size.
Hook basics
- Hook size (mm)
- The metric diameter — e.g. 4.0 mm. Smaller hook = tighter fabric.
- US hook letters
- e.g. G-6 = 4.0 mm, H-8 = 5.0 mm.
- Tighter for toys
- For amigurumi, go a size smaller so stuffing doesn't show.
Techniques
Shaping & assembly
- Working in the round
- Crocheting in a continuous spiral — the basis of amigurumi.
- Invisible decrease
- A neat decrease that hides the join — perfect for toys.
- No-sew / low-sew
- Patterns designed so parts are crocheted on, minimising sewing.
Finishing
- Weave in ends
- Thread loose tails back through stitches so they disappear.
- Blocking
- Gently shaping & setting finished pieces with moisture.
- Stuffing
- Polyester fibrefill, added firmly & evenly for a smooth shape.
How to read a pattern
A line like “Rnd 2: (sc, inc) x6 (18)” means: in round 2, repeat “one single crochet, then one increase” six times — and you should finish with 18 stitches (the number in brackets is your stitch count). Always check your stitch count at the end of each round. New to this? Start with an easy beginner pattern or grab a free pattern to practise.
Glossary FAQ
What does “MR” mean in a crochet pattern?
MR = magic ring, an adjustable loop you start amigurumi with so there's no hole in the centre.
What's the difference between US and UK terms?
The same stitch names refer to different stitches. A US single crochet = UK double crochet. Our patterns always specify the term set.
What yarn weight should a beginner use?
Worsted (CYC 4) with a 4–5 mm hook is the most forgiving combination to learn with.
