Crochet Abbreviations Chart

Crochet abbreviations are used to eliminate clutter in patterns. They can often be frustrating to crochet beginners, but believe me, they make life so much easier for learned crocheters and pattern designers. Not only do they help to make it quicker to read a pattern, but they also help to reduce the amount of paper when printing out patterns.

This crochet abbreviations chart lists some of the common ones that are used on this site. All abbreviations are given in US terms.

You might also be interested in browsing the collection of free crochet patterns here on CNC. Or, if you’re a beginner, you might find these crochet tutorials helpful.

Crochet Abbreviations

AbbreviationsDescriptionsInstructions
AltAlternateThis could mean alternate stitches or alternate rows.
ApproxApproximately
Bead St.Bead StitchInsert hook into stitch indicated, yarn over and pull through, (yarn over and pull through one loop on hook) twice, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. When you work into the next stitch make sure the bobble is facing you, or the right side of the fabric.
BegBegin/BeginningThis can refer to a beginning of a row or round. It can also mean a stitch that begins the row or round and is worked slightly different than the remaining stitches.
Beg Cl, Beg PC, Beg Shell, Beg V-st, etcBeginning Cluster, Beginning Popcorn, Beginning Shell,
Beginning V-Stitch, etc.
These “beginning” stitches are generally started with a chain 2 or 3 to make up the first leg of a stitch that is made up of a series of stitches. Check pattern for specific instructions as these can vary from pattern to pattern.
BetBetweenSometimes the pattern may instruct you to work in between stitches made in previous row or round.
Bl/Bls or BLOBack Loop/Back Loops or Back Loop OnlyThere are 2 loops on top of each stitch that make up a “V” shape. The back loop is the one farthest away from you. This technique is used to create a ribbing or ribbed texture.
Blsc, bldc, bltr, etc…Back Loop Single Crochet,
Back Loop Double Crochet,
Back Loop Triple Crochet, etc..
The “bl” stands for back loop, and can precede any other stitch abbreviations that is worked worked into the back loop only.
BpBack PostInsert your hook going in from behind your work and around post of stitch indicated.
BpdcBack Post Double CrochetYarn over and insert hook from behind your work around the post of stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 Loops on hook); (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops) twice.
BpscBack Post Single CrochetYarn over and insert hook from behind of work around the post of stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
BptrBack Post Triple CrochetYarn over twice and insert hook from behind your work around the post of stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook); (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 3 times.
CAColor AA color used in pattern, usually the first color called for.
CBColor BA color used in pattern, usually the second color called for.
CCColor C or Contrasting ColorA color used in pattern, usually the third color called for. It can also mean a color used to contrast another color used in the pattern.
ChChainTo make a chain, yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. To crochet into a chain, insert your hook into the top 1-2 loops of the chain. You can also work into the back bumps of a chain.
Ch-1, 2, 3, etc…Chain 1, 2, 3, etc…Chain 1, 2, 3 or as many as the pattern says.
Ch-spChain spaceTo make a chain space, yarn over and pull through to make one chain. To work into the space, insert your hook in to the space below the chain.
ClClusterThis is generally done by working a series of stitches without completing the last step. With each new stitch, you increase the number loops on the hook. Then to finish the stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Cl Shell, Cl V-st, etc…Cluster Shell, Cluster V-Stitch, etc…This is a clustered version of a stitch. Check each pattern for specific instructions as they can vary.
ContContinue
CrdcCrossed Double CrochetSkip a stitch and double crochet in next stitch, then backtrack and double crochet in the skipped stitch.
DcDouble CrochetYarn over, insert hook in stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook) twice.
Dc2togDouble Crochet 2 TogetherThe decrease stitch is worked over 2 stitches: Yarn over and insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yarn over and insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook to complete the stitch.
Dc3togDouble Crochet 3 togetherThe decrease stitch is worked over 3 stitches: Yarn over and insert hook in first stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). *Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops; rep from * once (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook to complete the stitch.
Dc4togDouble Crochet 4 Together The decrease stitch is worked over 4 stitches: Yarn over and insert hook in first stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). *Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops; rep from * twice (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook to complete the stitch.
DecDecrease, decreases, decreasingWork 2 or more stitches together as one to decrease the total stitch count in the row or round.
DtrDouble TripleYarn over 3 times, insert hook into stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook) 4 times.
EscExtended Single CrochetInsert hook in stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through one loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
FlFront LoopThere are 2 loops on top of each stitch that make up a “V” shape. The front loop is the one closest to you.
FlscFront Loop Single CrochetA single crochet worked into the front loop only of a stitch.
FollFollow, Follows, Following
FOFasten OffCut the yarn or thread, yarn over and pull through the active loop and pull it tight. Weave in your ends.
FpFront PostInsert hook from in front of your work and around post of stitch indicated.
FpdcFront Post Double CrochetYarn over and insert hook from in front of your work and around the post of stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop, (3 Loops on hook) (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops) twice.
FptrFront Post Triple CrochetYarn over twice and insert hook from in front of your work and around the post of stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 3 times.
FscFoundation Single CrochetTo make the fsc chain 2 and insert the hook into the first chain, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 1 loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. The next stitch is worked the same but into the base of the previous fsc instead of the chain.
HdcHalf Double CrochetYarn over and insert hook into stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook
Hdc2togHalf Double Crochet 2 TogetherThe decrease stitch is worked over two stitches as one: Yarn over and insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop; yarn over and insert hook into the next st, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Hdc3togHalf Double Crochet Three TogetherThe decrease stitch is worked over three stitches as one: Yarn over and insert hook into first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop; *yarn over and insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull up a loop; repeat from * once (7 loops on hook), Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
HkHookCrochet hooks are available in many sizes. Use the hook size as instructed in pattern, or the hook that gives you the gauge that you need.
IncIncrease, Increases, IncreasingWork 2 or more stitches in one stitch.
Lp/LpsLoop/LoopsA loop can be a series of chains or it can mean a front or back loop of a stitch.
MCMain ColorThis is the main color of your project.
PPicotChain the amount of chains as instructed, then slip stitch in chain indicated to form a small bump
Pat or PattPattern, Patterns
PcPopcornThe popcorn stitch can vary from pattern to pattern and therefore special instructions are usually provided by each pattern. Basically it is worked with a series of stitches in the same stitch or space. Work the number of stitches as pattern instructs. Drop loop from hook and insert hook into first stitch made. Pick up the dropped loop and pull through first stitch to create a bobble. Pattern may sometimes require a ch-1 to complete or secure the stitch.
PmPlace MarkerPlace a marker in stitch or space indicated to help you keep track of where you are in the pattern.
PrevPreviousCan refer to the previous stitch, or a previous row or round.
PSSPuffy Spike StitchThis stitch is a combination of the spike stitch and puff stitch. It is worked like a puff stitch in the sense that you pull up multiple loops before closing the stitch. However, each loop is pulled up from a different stitch below.
Puff StPuff StitchThis stitch is worked by pulling up multiple loops before closing the stitch. The stitch can vary from pattern to pattern.
RemRemain, Remaining
RepRepeat
Rnd/RndsRound/RoundsTerm used when working in a round to create a circle, oval or a square.
RSRight SideIf you are working in the round without turning, the Right Side is usually the side that is facing you. If you’re working in rows, choose the cleanest looking side.
ScSingle CrochetInsert hook in stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
Sc2togSingle Crochet 2 togetherThe decrease stitch is worked over two stitches as one: Insert hook in first st, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Sc3togSingle Crochet 3 togetherThe decrease stitch is worked over three stitches as one: Insert hook in first st, yarn over and pull up a loop, *insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull up a loop; repeat from * once (4 loops on hook), Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
SkSkipSkip stitches or spaces indicated.
Sl stSlip StitchA slip stitch is commonly used to join a round, but can also be used within the pattern rows or rounds: Insert hook in stitch or space indicated, yarn over and pull through the stitch or loop as well as the loop on hook.
Sp/SpsSpace/SpacesA space is the hole beneath one or more chains. It can also refer to the space in between two stitches.
St/stsStitch/StitchesAny stitch used in crochet, like the single crochet, double crochet and triple crochet. It can also refer to a series of stitches to form an advanced stitch, such as the popcorn stitch.
TrTriple CrochetYarn over 2 times, insert hook into stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook) 3 times.
V-StV-StitchIt’s a stitch that looks like a v. The stitch can vary from pattern to pattern, so always check your pattern for specific instructions.
WIPWork In Progress
WSWrong SideThis is the side least favorable. It is often the side where yarn colors are carried, knots are hidden, etc.. Some projects, such as blankets, can be lined to hide any imperfections.
YoYarn OverWrap the yarn over hook

Weights & Measurements

These measurement and weight abbreviations are commonly found on yarn labels an in the introductory section of the pattern.

” or inInches
CmCentimeter
GGram
mMeter(s)
mmMillimeter(s)
OzOunce(s)
Yd(s)Yard(s)

Crochet Dishcloth Pattern – Ambler

This crochet dishcloth pattern is not only quick and easy to make, but it also features a pretty stitch pattern that you’ll enjoy having in your kitchen.

Crochet Bag Pattern – Blue-Water

Make this easy crochet bag pattern in your favorite colors. It is shown in an ombre yarn, but choose a solid color, or add a few stripes to make this yours.

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