Crochet Abbreviations and Terms
Commonly Used Pattern Abbreviations

Understanding crochet abbreviations is essential if you are planning to make any type of crochet pattern. If you do not know what each abbreviation means, you will be unable to follow the instructions.



The first time you look at a crochet pattern, you will probably think it has been written in a foreign language. That is because patterns for crocheted objects are usually written using abbreviations.

As an aside, have you ever wondered why the word 'abbreviation' is such a long word? It is ironic - but somewhat typical of the English language. Anyways - back to the topic of crochet short forms.

The good thing about learning the abbreviations used for crochet is that it is not difficult. In fact, once you familiarize yourself with these terms, reading a crochet pattern will be much easier for you.

In fact, as you learn, you may want to print out this guide and have it with you. Then you can use it as a reference guide and refer to it as you encounter short forms in the pattern.

So, without further ado, here is a list of the most commonly used crochet abbreviations used in patterns. We wrote 'commonly used' because you may occasionally find 'special' abbreviations in a pattern that you might not find on this list. Usually, when a special short form is used in a pattern, a definition for it is given at the beginning of the book or pattern.

* is a sign of repetition

ch. means 'chain'

d. c. means 'double crochet'

d. tr. c. means 'double treble crochet'

d. tr. tr. c. means 'double triple treble crochet'

h. d. c. means 'half double crochet'

half tr. means 'half treble'

long tr. means 'long treble'

s. c. means 'single crochet'

sl. st. means 'slip stitch'

t. c. means 'treble crochet'

tr. means 'treble'

Now that you know how to read crochet abbreviations, you need to learn what each of these terms mean. For more information on this, continue on to crochet Lesson #2: Explaination of Stitches.

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