Every crochet abbreviation, term, and stitch — explained. Bookmark this page and use it as your cheat sheet while you work through any free pattern on PatternVibes.
How to use this glossary: Crochet patterns lean on short codes (sc, dc, hdc, mr) so instructions stay readable. Use this page to look up any code you don't recognise. Patterns on PatternVibes use US crochet terminology unless explicitly noted; UK equivalents are in the right column where they differ.
chain
Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. The foundation of nearly every crochet piece.
UK: ch (same)
slip stitch
Insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. Used to join rounds and travel across stitches without adding height.
UK: ss
single crochet
Insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. The shortest, densest stitch in US terminology.
UK: dc (double crochet)
half double crochet
Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops. Between sc and dc in height.
UK: htr
double crochet
Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice. A common medium-height stitch.
UK: tr (treble)
treble crochet
Yarn over twice, insert hook, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) three times. Tall and airy.
UK: dtr
increase
Two stitches worked into the same stitch. Used to widen a piece or shape rounds.
UK: inc (same)
decrease
Two stitches combined into one. Most often sc2tog (single-crochet decrease) for amigurumi.
UK: dec (same)
single-crochet two together
Insert hook in next stitch, pull up loop, insert hook in following stitch, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops. Standard amigurumi decrease.
UK: dc2tog
invisible decrease
Insert hook through front loops only of next two stitches before completing. Hides the decrease in the fabric.
UK: invisible dec
magic ring
Adjustable starting loop used for amigurumi. Wrap yarn around fingers, hook through, pull up loop, then crochet stitches into the ring before pulling tail to close.
UK: magic ring (same)
round
One complete circle of stitches in a piece worked in the round. Most amigurumi is built round-by-round.
UK: rnd (same)
row
One horizontal pass of stitches in flat (turning) crochet. You turn your work at the end of each row.
UK: row (same)
back loop only
Insert hook through only the back loop of the stitch — leaves a visible ridge on the front.
UK: BL
front loop only
Insert hook through only the front loop. Used for textural detail and to attach pieces.
UK: FL
stitch
Generic word for one completed crochet element.
UK: st (same)
stitches
Plural of stitch. The number in parentheses at the end of a row — '(24)' — is the stitch count.
UK: sts (same)
yarn over
Wrap working yarn over the hook. The motion that builds height in dc, tr, and beyond.
UK: yoh
repeat
Repeat the instruction inside brackets the specified number of times.
UK: rep (same)
skip
Move past the indicated stitch(es) without working into them.
UK: miss
fasten off
Cut yarn leaving a tail (~10cm), pull through the last loop, and tighten.
UK: FO (same)
wrong side
The side of the work that won't show in the finished piece.
UK: WS (same)
right side
The side of the fabric that will be visible.
UK: RS (same)
double knit weight
A medium-light yarn weight (#3). Common for baby items and lightweight garments.
UK: DK (same)
worsted weight
A medium yarn weight (#4). The most common weight for amigurumi and beginner projects.
UK: Aran
fingering weight
A fine yarn weight (#1). Used for socks, shawls, and delicate lace.
UK: 4-ply
gauge
Number of stitches and rows per inch. Always swatch before starting a fitted item.
UK: tension
Try a beginner-friendly amigurumi or doily — every PatternVibes pattern uses these abbreviations and links each one back to its glossary entry.
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