US Crochet Terms and Abbreviations Explained Clearly
🧶 Complete US Crochet Abbreviations, Terms & Explanations
| Abbreviation | Full Term | Meaning / Use (US Crochet) |
|---|---|---|
| CH | Chain stitch | The foundation stitch; creates a looped base chain or space between stitches. |
| SC | Single crochet | Basic stitch; short and tight. |
| SC INC | Single crochet increase | Make 2 SC in the same stitch. |
| SC DEC / SC2TOG | Single crochet decrease | Combine 2 SC into 1 stitch (decrease). |
| 3SC INC | 3 single crochets increase | Make 3 SC in the same stitch (wider increase). |
| 3SC DEC / SC3TOG | 3 single crochets decrease | Combine 3 SC into 1 stitch (sharper decrease). |
| HDC | Half double crochet | Yarn over once; draw through 3 loops on hook. |
| HDC INC | Half double crochet increase | Make 2 HDC in the same stitch. |
| HDC DEC / HDC2TOG | Half double crochet decrease | Combine 2 HDC into 1 stitch. |
| 3HDC INC | 3 half double crochets increase | Make 3 HDC in the same stitch. |
| 3HDC DEC / HDC3TOG | 3 half double crochets decrease | Combine 3 HDC into 1 stitch. |
| DC | Double crochet | Yarn over once; draw through 2 loops twice. |
| DC INC | Double crochet increase | Make 2 DC in the same stitch. |
| DC DEC / DC2TOG | Double crochet decrease | Combine 2 DC into 1 stitch. |
| 3DC INC | 3 double crochets increase | Make 3 DC in the same stitch. |
| 3DC DEC / DC3TOG | 3 double crochets decrease | Combine 3 DC into 1 stitch. |
| TR | Treble crochet | Yarn over twice; draw through 3 times. |
| TR INC | Treble crochet increase | Make 2 TR in the same stitch. |
| TR DEC / TR2TOG | Treble crochet decrease | Combine 2 TR into 1 stitch. |
| 3TR INC | 3 treble crochets increase | Make 3 TR in the same stitch. |
| 3TR DEC / TR3TOG | 3 treble crochets decrease | Combine 3 TR into 1 stitch. |
| SL ST | Slip stitch | Slip yarn through stitch and loop on hook; used to join or finish. |
| SK | Skip stitch | Skip the next stitch (creates gaps or shaping). |
| BLO | Back loop only | Work into the back loop only (furthest from you). |
| FLO | Front loop only | Work into the front loop only (nearest to you). |
| POPCORN | Popcorn stitch | 5 DC in the same stitch, closed at top to form a “pop” texture. |
| BOBBLE | Bobble stitch | 4–5 incomplete DC closed together for a “puffy” textured stitch. |
| TWIST SC | Twisted single crochet | Insert hook from opposite direction; creates twisted texture. |
| FP SC | Front post single crochet | Worked around front of the post of previous row’s stitch. |
| FP HDC | Front post half double crochet | Same as above, using HDC. |
| FP DC | Front post double crochet | Same as above, using DC. |
| BP SC | Back post single crochet | Worked around the back of the post of previous row’s stitch. |
| BP HDC | Back post half double crochet | Same as above, using HDC. |
| BP DC | Back post double crochet | Same as above, using DC. |
| YO | Yarn over | Wrap yarn over the hook (used before most stitches). |
| FO | Fasten off | Finish your work and secure the yarn end. |
| MR / MC | Magic ring / Magic circle | Adjustable loop for starting projects in the round. |
| RND | Round | Work in a circle (often used in amigurumi). |
| ROW | Row | Work in flat, back-and-forth direction. |
| SP | Space | Open gap created by chain stitches or skipped stitches. |
| ST | Stitch | A generic term for any individual crochet stitch. |
| REP | Repeat | Repeat instructions as indicated. Often written as * ... * or ( ... ). |
| TURN | Turn | Flip your work to begin the next row. |
| JOIN | Join with slip stitch | Connect two rounds or pieces together. |
| RS | Right Side | The front-facing side of your project. |
| WS | Wrong Side | The back-facing side of your project. |
| GAUGE | Gauge | Measurement of stitches per inch/cm — affects sizing. |
| CONT | Continue | Keep working in the established pattern. |
💡 How to Use This Glossary
- Keep it open while following any crochet pattern
- Save or bookmark this page for easy reference
- Use it when decoding our plush outfit patterns for 17cm dolls like Labubu or Sonny Angel!
📦 Try a Free Beginner Pattern
Want to practice these terms right away? Try one of our free patterns designed just for beginners:
🧡 Final Thoughts
Learning crochet terms might seem technical at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be reading patterns like a pro! Whether you're just beginning or revisiting the basics, having a quick-reference glossary on hand can save you hours of frustration.
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