🧶 The Ultimate Crochet Abbreviation Master List for Beginners 🇺🇸
Everything You Need to Know to Read Crochet Patterns with Confidence
Have you ever opened a crochet pattern and felt completely lost in the sea of letters like “dc2tog,” “BLO,” or “yo”? You’re not alone! Crochet patterns use abbreviations to keep instructions short and concise — but it can be overwhelming for beginners. This complete guide breaks down every crochet abbreviation you’re likely to see, with beginner-friendly explanations to help you get started confidently.
✨ Why Are Crochet Abbreviations Important?
Abbreviations are used in almost every pattern to save space and make instructions easier to follow — once you know what they mean! Learning these terms is like learning a new language, but it’s easier than you think, especially with this all-in-one glossary.
📘 Complete Crochet Abbreviation Glossary
Grouped by category for easy learning and reference.
🔹 Common Pattern Terms & Instructions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | begin/beginning |
| bet | between |
| cont | continue |
| foll | following |
| inc | increase |
| dec | decrease |
| rep | repeat |
| rem | remaining |
| prev | previous |
| pat / patt | pattern |
| rnd | round |
| sp | space |
| st | stitch |
| sk | skip |
| tog | together |
| WS | wrong side |
| RS | right side |
🔹 Yarn & Color Instructions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CC | contrasting color |
| MC | main color |
| yo | yarn over |
| yoh | yarn over hook |
🔹 Chains & Stitch Placement
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain stitch |
| ch- | refers to previously made chain (e.g., ch-1 space) |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| tch / t-ch | turning chain |
| lp | loop |
| tbl | through back loop |
| FL / FLO | front loop or front loop only |
| BL / BLO | back loop or back loop only |
🔹 Basic Stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| trtr | triple treble crochet |
🔹 Decrease Stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
🔹 Extended Stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| esc | extended single crochet |
| ehdc | extended half double crochet |
| edc | extended double crochet |
| etr | extended treble crochet |
🔹 Front/Back Post Stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FP | front post |
| FPsc | front post single crochet |
| FPhdc | front post half double crochet |
| FPdc | front post double crochet |
| FPdtr | front post double treble crochet |
| FPtr | front post treble crochet |
| BP | back post |
| BPsc | back post single crochet |
| BPhdc | back post half double crochet |
| BPdc | back post double crochet |
| BPdtr | back post double treble crochet |
| BPtr | back post treble crochet |
🔹 Specialty & Textured Stitches
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| bo | bobble |
| pc | popcorn stitch |
| CL | cluster |
| ps / puff | puff stitch |
| sh | shell |
🔹 Other Pattern Instructions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pm | place marker |
| m | marker |
| sm / sl m | slip marker |
| sl st | slip stitch |
🧵 Extra Tips for Beginners
- Bookmark this page so you can quickly refer to it whenever you're following a pattern.
- Print this glossary and keep it with your current project.
-
Start simple with patterns using only ch, sc, hdc, and dc.
- Practice abbreviations in small swatches before beginning your project.
🧸 Want to Practice Reading Patterns?
Explore beginner-friendly plushie patterns where you can put these abbreviations to use:
Both patterns include abbreviation keys and step-by-step guidance!
🌟 Final Thoughts
Once you master these abbreviations, reading crochet patterns becomes second nature — and you’ll open the door to thousands of amazing designs. Happy crocheting!
