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Any beginning crocheter will tell you the importance of knowing the common crochet abbreviations. Generally, you will find definitions for the crochet abbreviations used in a pattern at the beginning. Below are the most common abbreviations used by the crochet industry in pattern writting. These definitions reflect U.S. crocheting terminology. Chart adapted from Craft Yarn Council.
You can check out my Common Knitting Abbreviations here.
Abbreviation/Meaning
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| BL or BLO | back loop or back loop only |
| bo | bobble |
| BP | back post |
| BPdc | back post double crochet |
| BPdtr | back post double treble crochet |
| BPhdc | back post half double crochet |
| BPsc | back post single crochet |
| BPtr | back post treble crochet |
| CC | contrasting color |
| ch | chain stitch |
| ch- | refer to chain or space previously made |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| CL | cluster |
| cont | continue |
| dc | double crochet |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
| dec | decrease |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| edc | extended double crochet |
| ehdc | extended half double crochet |
| esc | extended single crochet |
| etr | extended treble crochet |
| FL or FLO | front loop or front loop only |
| foll | following |
| FP | front post |
| FPdc | front post double crochet |
| FPdtr | front post double treble crochet |
| FPhdc | front post half double crochet |
| FPsc | front post single crochet |
| FPtr | front post treble crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
| inc | increase |
| lp | loop |
| m | marker |
| MC | main color |
| pat or patt | pattern |
| pc | popcorn stitch |
| pm | place marker |
| prev | previous |
| ps or puff | puff stitch |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
| sh | shell |
| sk | skip |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sm or sl m | slip marker |
| sp | space |
| st | stitch |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tch or t-ch | turning chain |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble crochet |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
| trtr | triple treble crochet |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
| yoh | yarn over hook |