List of Crochet Abbreviations

Here is a list of the most common crochet term abbreviations, but by no means is it a complete list.

A

alt – alternate(ing)

approx. – approximetely

B

beg – beginning

blo – back loop only

BPdc – Back Post double crochet

BPhdc – Back Post half double crochet

BPsc – back post single crochet

BPtr – back post treble crochet

C

CC – Contrasting Color

ch – chain

cl – cluster

cont – continue

D

dbl – double

dbl tr – double treble

dtr – double treble

dc – double crochet

dc2tog – double crochet 2 together

dec – decrease

E

ea – each

edc – extended double crochet

esc – extended single crochet

F

flo – front loop only

foll – follow(ing)

FPdc – Front Post double crochet

FPhdc – Front Post half double crochet

FPsc – front post single crochet

FPtr – front post treble crochet

G

grp – group

H

hdc – half double crochet

hk – hook

I

inc – increase

incl – include/including

L

lp(s) – loop(s)

M

MC – Main Color

md – meaning round

mds – meaning rounds

Please note for the above 2 abbreviations this is a font issue. It’s actually r n d (without spaces) but some fonts when they put the r and n together it looks like an m.

O

oz – ounces

P

pc – popcorn

pm – place marker

prev – previous

R

rem – remaining

rep – repeat

rev – reverse

rnd(s) – round(s)

RS – right side

rsc – reverse single crochet (also know as the crab stitch)

S

sc – single crochet

sc2tog – single crochet 2 together

sk – skip

sl st – slip stitch

sp(s) – space(s)

st(s) – stitch(es)

T

tch – turning chain

tog – together

tr – treble (some now call it triple)

tr tr – triple treble

U

ufo – un-finished objects

W

WS – wrong side

X

x-st – cross stitch

Y

yo – yarn over

yoh – yarn over hook

If you’re looking for one that you don’t see, just let me know and I can add it.

When you sign up for my newsletter you can get a free printable copy of the List of Crochet Abbreviations.




26 thoughts on “List of Crochet Abbreviations”

  • What does fsc mean? And I was a little confused with the first line of instructions in round 1 of the baby shell sweater

    • Hi Sue, it’s a foundation single crochet. If you’re not familiar with it I can work on getting a tutorial up for it. But in the mean time it’s the equivalent of a chain and single crochet first row.

  • Does anyone know what the abbreviation Srst means? I’m following a pattern on a ball of Lions Brand yarn and it reads ch 1 turn, Srst 3 ch. never saw this before.
    Appreciate the help!

  • How do you work this: ch 1, *FPhdc, hdc [hdc, FPhdc], hdc, FPhdc, hdc *Repeat*. It is confusing

    • Hi Fatima,
      Each stitch between each comma is worked into it’s own stitch and the stitches in the parenthesis are worked into the same stitch. Here’s a more clear way of writing it.
      FPhdc in next st, hdc in next st, (hdc, FPhdc) in next st, FPhdc in next st, hdc in next st, repeat from *
      Let me know if you need more help.
      Kristine

  • Hi. First: Thank you so much for posting this. It’s so helpfully!!
    Second: I’m lost with is foreign stitch language.
    Here’s the example.
    6X magic ring
    6V, C- 12X
    XV*6 , C=18X
    18X, C.

      • Hi I’m having the same issue and any help would be very much appreciated 😁
        I gave a crochet your own fox kit to a 10 year old beginner and these are the instructions 🤨 thank you. Sarah

  • I’m doing my 1st crochet toy and I am currently at a part in the head where 1st I need change color for approx. half the round and then change color back. In this round there is also an abbreviation I have never seen before and cannot find the meaning for it anywhere. So it says change back to blue, sc, dee, (sc 5, dec) X3. To end that round but I have no idea what Dee means or how to do it.
    Thank you

  • Hello. I’m looking for what it means when a pattern has the abbreviation just, ‘W’.

    The example I’m specifically talking about is in an amigurumi pattern that I’m trying to follow.
    One step is as follows and in the round: R2: 1sc, w, 2sc, w, 1sc [10].

    The only explanation I can find online is for ‘WS,’ wrong side, which I’m sure does not apply here.

    • This isn’t a standard abbreviation in crochet so I’m thinking it’s a designer thing. I thought maybe “work” as in work so many sts across, but that doesn’t make sense there. I would try to contact the designer and ask her. I would love to know what she’s using it for.

      • After you chain 7 you would work a sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and then next 4 (which is the 5sc).
        I’m not sure what the “1w” is but I’m assuming it would be to work something in the end/last chain to make the edge rounded.
        Then the next steps would be sc in next 4 chains (working in the opposite side of the beg chain) and then an increase in the last one (that also has the 1st sc).
        Hope this helps a little.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.