Understanding Crochet Language
Why is Crochet Language Confusing?
The language of crochet is a shorthand used to easily follow a pattern. It may seem overwhelming when you first look at that pattern. This stops many people from tackling it at all, as it can seem like there is no guidance unless you first memorize a huge amount of information!
Design Crochet is here to help. In this post we will look at the things you need to know to understand the language of crochet patterns and offer you some tools to make it easier.
What Do I Need To Know?
- Stitch names - learning them is essential and it can be confusing trying to sort them between the two main types of terminology: US and UK. This frustrates crocheters and makes patterns less accessible.
- Use of abbreviations - this makes crochet patterns look like a secret code or another language that must be learned before a pattern can be understood.
- Formatting - this should tell you how many stitches to make, where to place them and when to repeat a stitch or series of stitches.
Design Crochet can help ease the frustration of all of these issues.
US vs UK Stitch Terms
Crochet stitches are the same across the world—but their names can differ. The two main systems are US and UK terminology.
In US terms, the name refers to the number of times you move your hook after pulling up a loop.
Example: Single Crochet (sc) — Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop. With two loops now on your hook, pull the yarn through both in one single motion—hence the name Single Crochet.
In UK terms, the name is based on the number of loops you pull the yarn through after making that first loop.
Example: Double Crochet (dc) — Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop. With two loops on your hook, pull the yarn through both to complete the stitch—making it a Double Crochet in UK terms.
Use of Abbreviations and How To Learn Them
The abbreviations used in crochet make patterns shorter, less wordy. Mastering these is essential and will come easier with practice. There are other terms besides the stitch names that you will come across. Look for a key in your pattern to alert you to any special terms used and how they are abbreviated.
Here is a list you can use to learn the abbreviations as well as to see the differences between US and UK terminology.
US Terms and Abbreviations
- Single Crochet - sc
- Half Double Crochet - hdc
- Double Crochet - dc
- Treble/Triple Crochet - tr
- Double Treble/Triple Crochet - dtr
UK Terms and Abbreviations
- Double Crochet - dc
- Half Treble Crochet - htr
- Treble Crochet - tr
- Double Treble Crochet - dtr
- Triple Treble Crochet - trtr
Formatting: Placement, Repeats, and Stitch Counts
Figuring out the instructions in a pattern can also hold you up. Knowing the stitch names is only one step. You must also understand the order of the stitches, where they are placed, and how many of each stitch or groups of stitches to add.
Common instructions may include:
Commas
Used to separate the instructions for individual stitches.
Example: Ch 1, 2 sc in next stitch, dc in next 10 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, turn.
Think of the commas as a pause between actions.
Asterisks
Used to indicate the repeat of a sequence of stitches
Example: *sc, ch 2, skip 2 stitches*, repeat from * to * to the end of the row.
Parentheses
Used to indicate a group of stitches to be repeated a certain number of times.
Example: (sc, ch 2) 3 times.
Parentheses are also used to indicate the final number of stitches that should be present at the end of a row.
Example: sc, ch 2 (1 sc, 2 ch)
Note that parentheses may also be used to indicate if the starting chain counts as a stitch as shown in the two examples above.
Example: Ch 1 (not a stitch), sc, ch 2
Brackets
Used to enclose a long string of stitches that contains a smaller repeat inside the brackets.
Example: [Ch 1, skip 1, (sc in next 2 stitches, Ch 1) 3 times] repeat 4 times.
In other words: Ch 1, skip 1 stitch, work the section in parentheses three times, and repeat everything inside the brackets four times. Remember that each time you repeat the bracketed section, you’ll still work the parentheses section three times within it.
Stitch Placement Basics
In most cases, each stitch is worked into one stitch from the row below.
Sometimes, though, a pattern will ask you to place a stitch in a different location—either one or more rows below, or multiple stitches in the same spot. These variations will always be specified in the instructions.
Example: 2 dc in next stitch or dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch, dc in next stitch.
Other placement variations include stitches worked around or through specific parts of previous stitches, such as the front post, back post, front loop, back loop, third loop, or middle bar. Each of these placements creates a unique texture and visual effect in your fabric.
How Can Design Crochet Help?
- Use a US–UK Conversion Chart to compare stitch names. Design Crochet makes this even easier—simply toggle between US and UK terms in the Workspace or check the User Guide for quick reference.
- Leverage the User Guide and Stitch Dictionary to learn common stitch abbreviations. If you ever forget one, the Tips & Codes section and AI Assistant in the Workspace can quickly help you look it up.
- Every pattern should include a key or chart explaining its stitch codes—but when it doesn’t, finding them can be time-consuming. Design Crochet keeps everything organized for you in the User Guide, so the information is always at your fingertips.
Mastering the Language of Crochet opens the door to reading—and even creating—more advanced patterns. Ready to take the next step? Design Crochet has the tools to help you get there.
Jump on our website or the app and check out how easy it is to find the tips and hints you need to understand Crochet Language!
FAQ
Do I need to memorize all the Stitch Terms used in Crochet?
No, but you will get better at it the more you see and use them. In the meantime, Design Crochet has them all worked out for you, just take a look!
Is everything in a crochet pattern abbreviated?
No, not everything but there is a lot of shorthand. Think of it like texting and you will get the hang of it before you know it. Don’t forget to check the Key in your pattern to help with special abbreviations.
How will I know where to place my stitches?
The pattern will tell you. Once you understand what the placement codes mean you will be stitching like a pro in no time.
