Crochet Abbreviations Master List

Following is a list of crochet abbreviations used in patterns by yarn industry designers and publishers. In addition, designers and publishers may use special abbreviations in a pattern, which you might not find on this list. Generally, a definition of special abbreviations is given at the beginning of a book or pattern. These definitions reflect U.S. crochet terminology.

Also on this page:
Terms & Common Measurements
Tunisian Abbreviations
Abbreviation & Term Differences between the U.S., United Kingdom (U.K.) and Canada.

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- refer 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
Abbreviation Description
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

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Terms & Common Measurements

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
Measurement Description
” or in inch
cm centimeter
g gram
m meter
mm millimeter
oz ounce
yd yard

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Tunisian Abbreviations

Tunisian crochet is also commonly known as Afghan Crochet. It has also been called by a variety of other names including Shepherd's Knitting, Railroad Knitting and Cro-hooking.

Abbreviation Description
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

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Abbreviation & Term Differences between the U.S., United Kingdom (U.K.) and Canada.

U.S./Canada U.K.
slip stitch (sl st) slip stitch (ss)
single crochet (sc) double crochet (dc)
half double crochet (hdc) half treble (htr)
double crochet (dc) treble (tr)
treble (tr) double treble (dtr)
double treble (dtr) triple treble (trtr)
U.S. U.K./Canada
gauge tension
yarn over (yo) yarn over hook (yoh)

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