Crochet Abbreviation Lookup
Look up what a crochet short form means, and add your own.
Live Crochet Abbreviation Lookup
Instant browser calculations & session state saved locally.
Key Capabilities
- ✓Instant search as you type (ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, blo, flo, fpdc)
- ✓Full stitch definitions with step-by-step yarn-over instructions
- ✓Custom abbreviations recorder for indie designer pattern keys
- ✓US and UK equivalent cross-reference tags
Expert Crafting Advice
- 💡Always check the pattern key first; some designers use custom abbreviations for special cluster stitches.
- 💡Search "tog" to see all decrease variations (sc2tog, dc2tog, hdc3tog).
How the Crochet Abbreviation Lookup Works
The Crochet Abbreviation Lookup works in 3 steps.
- 1
Find the abbreviation
Look up the short form in the conversion table below.
- 2
Save special terms
Copy any pattern-specific definition into the notes box, such as "V-st = (dc, ch 1, dc) in same st".
- 3
Keep notes with the count
Use the counter as normal. Your saved definitions stay beside it in the browser.
Crochet Abbreviation Lookup Formula
The Crochet Abbreviation Lookup formula expands an abbreviated instruction into stitches made.
Stitches made = Number before the abbreviation × Stitches per abbreviation
Example: 3 dc = 3 × 1 dc = 3 stitches
- Number before the abbreviation
- How many times the stitch is worked
- Stitches per abbreviation
- 1 for basic stitches, more for groups like V-st (2)
Worked example: "2 V-st" with V-st = (dc, ch 1, dc) makes 2 × 2 = 4 dc and 2 chain-1 spaces.
Crochet Abbreviation Lookup Conversion Table
The Crochet Abbreviation Lookup conversion table lists 18 common US crochet abbreviations and their meanings.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | Chain |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| sc | Single crochet |
| hdc | Half double crochet |
| dc | Double crochet |
| tr | Treble (triple) crochet |
| inc | Increase (2 sts in 1 st) |
| dec / sc2tog | Decrease / single crochet 2 together |
| BLO | Back loop only |
| FLO | Front loop only |
| FPdc | Front post double crochet |
| BPdc | Back post double crochet |
| sk | Skip |
| sp | Space |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| yo | Yarn over |
| MR | Magic ring |
| RS / WS | Right side / wrong side |
These are US terms. UK patterns use different names for the same stitches.
What is a Crochet Abbreviation Lookup?
A crochet abbreviation lookup is a reference that explains the short forms used in crochet patterns, such as sc, hdc, BLO and sc2tog. The Crochet Stitch Counter Crochet Abbreviation Lookup lists the standard abbreviations and lets you save pattern-specific ones in your notes.
Patterns use abbreviations to keep instructions short. The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) publishes a standard list, and most US patterns follow it. Designers add special terms, such as "puff" or "V-st", and define them in a stitch key.
A lookup answers "what does this mean?" without leaving the pattern.
What are the Uses of a Crochet Abbreviation Lookup?
There are 4 main uses of a Crochet Abbreviation Lookup.
Reading new patterns
Unknown short forms get a quick definition.
Learning crochet
Beginners match abbreviations to stitches.
Saving designer terms
Pattern-specific stitches stay in your notes.
Checking chart keys
Abbreviations link chart symbols to stitches.