Crochet Abbreviations
By Rachel Choi – 252 Comments| Abbreviation | |
| [ ] | work instructions within brackets as many times as directed |
| ( ) | work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed |
| * | repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
| * * | repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions |
| : | instructions after (to the right of) the colon indicates the total stitch count for the row |
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | begin/beginning |
| bet | between |
| BL | back loop(s) |
| bo | bobble |
| BP | back post |
| BPdc | back post double crochet |
| BPsc | back post single crochet |
| BPtr | back post treble crochet |
| CA | color A |
| CB | color B |
| CC | contrasting color |
| ch | chain stitch |
| ch- | refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space |
| ch-sp | chain space, the space made by the chain |
| CL | cluster |
| cm | centimeter(s) |
| cont | continue |
| dc | double crochet |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
| dec | decrease/decreases/decreasing |
| dtr | double treble |
| FL | front loop(s) |
| foll | follow/follows/following |
| FP | front post |
| FPdc | front post double crochet |
| FPsc | front post single crochet |
| FPtr | front post treble crochet |
| g | gram |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| inc | increase/increases/increasing |
| lp(s) | loops |
| m | meter(s) |
| MC | main color |
| mm | millimeter(s) |
| oz | ounce(s) |
| p | picot |
| pat(s) or patt | pattern(s) |
| pc | popcorn |
| pm | place marker |
| prev | previous |
| rem | remain/remaining |
| rep | repeat(s) |
| rnd(s) | round(s) |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
| sk | skip |
| sl st | slip sitich |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| tch or t-ch | turning chain |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble crochet |
| trtr | triple treble crochet |
| WS | wrong side |
| yd(s) | yard(s) |
| yo | yarn over |
| yoh | yarn over hook |
Feel free to leave a comment if there are crochet abbreviations that are missing or if you need further explanation of an abbreviation. Your input is greatly appreciated!
BLO=Back Loop Only
FLO=Front Loop Only
I came across an abbreviation the other day that I had never encountered.
LDC = Linked Double Crochet
I found a video on YouTube that explained it quite well by crochetnmore.
This stitch makes a very nice solid fabric, I fell in love with it!
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what is meant by “R1”, as in, “Ch 46 
R1. Sc in second ch from hook, and ea. sc across. 
Work 13 rows sc, repeating r1.” Does it simply mean “row 1” and they just have horrible formatting? Or is it something else?
Hmm… your guess is as good as mine! I’ve never seen a pattern written like that, but I’m would guess that it means “row 1” as well. Maybe you can ask the designer of the pattern if possible?
thanks!
R1 usually means Row 1
R -row
Hi
I was just wondering are your patterns written using US or UK crochet terminology?
I did have a bit of a look round i may have missed it if you did state which you are using
Hi Becky, all the patterns on the site are in US terms.
Thank you very much for taking time to awnser my question 🙂
I have enjoyed this pattern and anxious to try to crochet it.
hi ,if we skip 1 stitch how can the row stiches same count as 24 (lines 4 -8)
Hello! Somewhere on the row you’re probably adding another stitch. If you are using a pattern on Crochet Spot, let me know which one and I can take a closer look at it for you.
Thank you so much for this. I am a new coming crocheter, so this abbreviations list really helps.
Hi Rachel can you post a pattern for a dolphin? Oh and how do you do a popcorn stitch?
Hi Victoria,
I don’t have a dolphin pattern at the moment. Here is the link to the popcorn stitch tutorial:http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-popcorn-stitch/
Hi rachel do you have any FREE beanie patterns?
Although most of the beanie patterns can be found in the hat section… http://www.crochetspot.com/store/?category=3
I do have a couple that are free. Here are some links:
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-a-beanie-using-double-crochet-stitches/
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-a-beanie/
Hi. thank you for the abr. chart, but have come across one in a pattern I have been working on…YP…YPO…I am so confused and have spent an hour online looking. Can you help me?
Hi Janet, sorry I haven’t come across that abbreviation before. If you haven’t already, try to check the beginning of your pattern since there usually are special stitch definitions there. You can also try to contact the designer of the pattern if you can. Best of luck with your search!
Thanks, we figured it had something to do with cross stitch since we were putting the face pieces on a turkey potholder. Thank you for answering my question.
Hi,
Can you please help. Here is where I get lost ch-2 space (4 dc,ch2,dc) all in next ch-2 space. It is the ch-2 space I do not understand.
I love your sight. This is only my third piece.
Hello! Here is a tutorial that explains chain spaces: http://www.crochetspot.com/what-is-a-chain-space-ch-sp/
Thank you so much. I’ve got it now. I greatly appreciate the quick response. I am in snowy Colorado and wanted to finish my project.
would love to see fsc (foundation single crochet), fdc (foundation double crochet) and fhdc (foundation half double crochet) along with your fabulous tutorials on it. I have a book that has them listed that I use when I’m at home, but I don’t usually bring it with me, so in those cases I use your site. 🙂
Hello!
Thanks for letting us know! We do have the fsc and fdc tutorials on the site, but haven’t updated it on this page. Here are the links:
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-foundation-single-crochet-fsc/
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-foundation-double-crochet-fdc/
The fhdc is very similar to the fdc, with you working the foundation the same but making the hdc stitch instead of the dc.
Can you make this into a downloadable PDF so it can be printed and be at our desk side to look up if needed for the patterns.
TY for the consideration
What is frogging?
Here is a post about frogging: https://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-frog-your-crochet/