There is a very interesting phenomenon in the English language crochet community; there are two sets of terminology going around, and you will not be the first one to get them mixed up. The two sets are either US crochet terms or UK crochet terms.
Difference between UK and US Terms
The main difference between the two systems is the starting point, the so-called single crochet stitch in US terms. The two systems are basically an offset of one another. What is called a single crochet in US terms, is called a double crochet in UK terms. Similarly, what is called a double crochet in US terms, is a treble crochet in UK terms. And so on and so forth. And now you might start to see where the problem is, the same names are used in both systems, but they mean different stitches.
How to distinguish between US and UK terms?
I use US terms is almost all of my English crochet videos and when I use UK terms I explicitly state that it’s UK terms. As such any good crochet pattern should always say which terms are used in the pattern. But if not stated, an easy way to spot if a pattern is written in US or UK terms is to see if “single crochet” or “sc” is written anywhere. If you spot a single crochet stitch, you know for sure that the pattern is in US terms. If not, you can’t be completely sure, but most likely the pattern is in UK terms.
Video explaining US and UK crochet terms
In this video I show you how to find out if a pattern in written in US or UK terms, and I explain the logic in understanding the difference between the two systems.
Crochet Symbols
There are MANY crochet symbols and chart keys available. I have tried to make a list of some of the most common terms you might come across. I have also linked to my videos showing you how to make the respective stitch. This list is by no means complete. It’s just to get you started on the most common terms. Any pattern or chart you follow should contain a description of any (special) stitches used.
| chart symbol | US terms abbreviation | UK terms abbreviation |
 | chain ch | chain ch |
 | slip stitch sl st / ss | slip stitch sl st / ss |
 | single crochet sc | double crochet dc |
 | half double crochet hdc | half treble crochet htr |
 | double crochet dc | treble crochet tr |
 | tripple crochet tr | double treble crochet dtr |
 | back post double bpdc | raised treble back* rtrb |
 | front post double fpdc | raised treble front* rtrf |
 | single 2 together sc2tog | double 2 together dc2tog |
 | double 2 together dc2tog | treble 2 together tr2tog |
*a note: sometimes patterns in UK terms also use the term ‘back post’ or ‘front post’. I have noticed some variation here.
With love,
Esther
Baie dankie vir die verskillende tale se terminologie – dit help baie om die patrone te verstaan! Waardeer! ???
happy to help 🙂
Ag man Muis, dis so lekker om Afrikaans te sien en hoor wanneer mens besluit of jy Amerikaans of Engels wil wees!!
meerkat
Awesome chart. I love that you included the visual for each stitch. Thank you for this great resource!
Reblogged this on adornosmalulu.
Why are there so many different symbols for the same stitch; i.e. DCBP and BPDC for the same stitch. Very confusing.
This has to do with language, and how people interpret it. A design should always have a list of stitches and abbreviations, to help clear up any confusion there may be.
what does the american crochet intruction 1, inc, 3, inc, 2 inc,3, inc 2, inc, 1 mean in English crochet terms
Inc usually means increase. Depending on which stitch you are working, you would work 2 stitches in 1 position. The pattern notes usually say something about this. You can best ask the designer.
I’m used to the spelling t r i p l e … but see that you are using ‘tripple’.
I wanted to print your UK/US but the Symbols don’t print. So, will draw them in – although I probably won’t ever crochet well enough to use the charts (as I can do for knitting, but prefer written instructions, except to check for ‘errors.’
Thank you for having all the info available. Much appreciated.
I have UK pattern and refers to “tc” stitch. What is that in US crochet?
This is a stitch that I do not recognize. Possibly it is a stitch the designer defined herself. There should be a list explaining the stitches at the start of the pattern. Maybe a good idea to ask the designer?
So when I see symbols in either UK or US terms, the number of indicated ‘yarn overs’ (slashes across the vertical bar)on the needle is the same whether it is called double or triple(treble) crochet? i.e. one slash is dc in US or trc in UK?
exactly, the symbol is the same, but the name is different. US-dc = UK-tr
Useful resource. Now if only I could find a conversion table for the hook sizes…
What does PPL in crocheting mean?
that sounds like a special stitch or instruction abbreviation. If it is used in a pattern, it should be given in the list of abbreviations.
Thankyou for the translation but could you make it as a printable sheet?