Crochet abbreviations
Patterns are written in shorthand to keep them short, which is unhelpful on your first day. Here is every abbreviation Crochet Bobble uses, with what the stitch actually is. These are US terms — the UK ones differ.
| Abbr. | Name | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| beg | Beginning | Marks the start of a row or round — as in "beg ch" for the chain that starts a row. |
| beg bobble | Beginning 3-dc Bobble | The 3-dc bobble worked at the start of a row or round: ch 2 in place of the first leg, then two unfinished dc into the same stitch, drawn together. Softer than the 5-dc version, and still one stitch. |
| beg bobble | Beginning 5-dc Bobble | A 5-dc bobble worked at the start of a row or round. There is no stitch below to build the first leg on, so a ch 2 stands in for it: ch 2, then four unfinished dc into the same stitch, and draw the lot together. Counts as one bobble, not as a chain plus a bobble. |
| beg pc | Beginning Popcorn | A popcorn worked at the start of a row or round. A popcorn is made of COMPLETE double crochets, so the chain that replaces its first stitch is a full ch 3 -- not the ch 2 a bobble uses. Ch 3, four more dc into the same stitch, then drop the loop, hook into the top of the chain and pull through to fold the group forward. |
| beg-dc2tog | Beginning Cluster (ch 3 + 1 dc together) | Opens a round in place of a two-double-crochet cluster. You cannot work a double crochet where you are already standing, so the starting chain of three stands in for the cluster’s first leg and one real double crochet is gathered with it at the top. Counts as two stitches and leaves one, exactly like dc2tog. |
| beg-dc3tog | Beginning Cluster (ch 3 + 2 dc together) | Opens a round in place of a full three-double-crochet cluster. You cannot work a double crochet where you are already standing, so the starting chain of three stands in for the cluster’s first leg, and two real double crochets are worked and gathered with it at the top. Counts as three stitches and leaves one, exactly like dc3tog. |
| beg-dc5tog | Beginning Cluster (ch 3 + 4 dc together) | Opens a round in place of a five-double-crochet cluster. You cannot work a double crochet where you are already standing, so the starting chain of three stands in for the cluster’s first leg and four real double crochets are gathered with it at the top. Counts as five stitches and leaves one, exactly like dc5tog. |
| beg-tr2tog | Beginning Cluster (ch 4 + 1 tr together) | Opens a round in place of a two-treble-crochet cluster. You cannot work a treble where you are already standing, so the starting chain of four stands in for the cluster’s first leg and one real treble is gathered with it at the top. Counts as two stitches and leaves one, exactly like tr2tog. |
| BLO | Back Loop Only | Looking at the top of your piece where you see the V's - work under only the back loop of the stitch from previous row. Leaves a ridge on the front and a stretchier fabric. Always paired with a base stitch — the symbol sits beneath an sc, hdc or dc rather than standing on its own. **BLO is always worked in loop farthest away from you.** |
| bobble | 3-dc Bobble | The 3-double-crochet version of the bobble — 3 dc worked into one stitch and left unfinished, then drawn together by one final pull-through. Softer and a little less raised than the 5-dc bobble. |
| bobble | 5-dc Bobble | 5 double crochets worked into one stitch but left unfinished — each keeps its final loop on the hook (yo, insert, pull up, pull through 2 only). With all the loops gathered, yo and pull through every loop at once to draw them into a soft bump. Works at any count (2, 3, 5…) — more dc, bigger bobble. |
| BPdc | Back Post Double Crochet | Work around the post of the stitch below from the back. Pairs with FPdc to make ribbing and cables. |
| BPhdc | Back Post Half Double Crochet | A half double crochet worked around the post of the stitch below, from the back. Pairs with FPhdc for lower-profile ribbing. |
| BPtr | Back Post Treble Crochet | A treble crochet worked around the post of the stitch below, from the back. Makes deep texture. |
| bull | Bullion Stitch | Yarn wrapped many times around the hook, then drawn through in one pass, making a dense little barrel of a stitch. The wrap count sets the height, so a bullion is as tall as you make it — the chart draws the common double-crochet height. Also called a roll stitch. Slow, and worth it. |
| ch | Chain | The starting point of nearly every project. Yarn over, pull through the loop on your hook. |
| ch-sp | Chain Space | The gap that is created to make an open space, usually for the next row to work into. Patterns often tell you to work into the space, not the stitch for chain spaces. Often stitches from previous row are skipped when making a chain space. |
| dc | Double Crochet | Yarn over first, then work the stitch off in two steps. Twice as tall as a single crochet. |
| dc-inc | dc Increase | Two double crochets worked into the same stitch, spreading into a V — one stitch becomes two. How flat pieces grow. |
| dc2tog | Double Crochet 2 Together | A decrease: two double crochets worked into separate stitches, joined into one at the top. |
| dc3tog | Double Crochet 3 Together | A decrease of three double crochets into one, gathered at the top. Often used as a cluster. |
| dc5tog | Double Crochet 5 Together | Five double crochets drawn together into one stitch. The mirror of a five-double-crochet shell: the shell takes one stitch and gives five, this takes five and gives one, so the two cancel out and a fabric of alternating shells and 5-togethers stays the same width. |
| dtr | Double Treble Crochet | Yarn over three times before starting. Taller again than a treble. |
| fasten off | Fasten Off | Cut the yarn, pull the tail all the way through the last loop, and pull snug to secure it. |
| FLO | Front Loop Only | Work under only the front loop of the stitch below, leaving a ridge on the back. Always paired with a base stitch — the symbol sits beneath an sc, hdc or dc rather than standing on its own. |
| FPdc | Front Post Double Crochet | Work around the post of the stitch below from the front, so the stitch stands forward off the fabric. |
| FPhdc | Front Post Half Double Crochet | A half double crochet worked around the post of the stitch below, from the front. Sits between FPsc and FPdc in height. |
| FPtr | Front Post Treble Crochet | A treble crochet worked around the post below, from the front. Used for raised cables and basketweave. |
| hdc | Half Double Crochet | Yarn over first, then pull through all three loops at once. Sits between a single and double crochet. |
| hdc-inc | hdc Increase | Two half double crochets worked into the same stitch, spreading into a V — one stitch becomes two. |
| hdc2tog | Half Double Crochet 2 Together | A decrease: two half double crochets joined into a single stitch at the top. |
| inc | Increase (2 sts in one st) | Two stitches worked into the same stitch below. This is how flat circles grow. |
| join | Join with Slip Stitch | Close a round by working a slip stitch into the first stitch of that round. |
| ldc | Linked Double Crochet | A double crochet that draws its yarn-over through the side of the stitch before it instead of over the hook, so the two are joined down their length. It closes the gaps between tall stitches and makes a much denser fabric — useful when double crochet would be too airy. |
| loop st | Loop Stitch | A single crochet worked so a loop of yarn is left hanging on the back. Builds shaggy, fur-like texture. |
| ltr | Linked Treble Crochet | The treble version, linked at both yarn-overs. The taller the stitch the more it gains from being linked, because there is more gap to close. |
| magic ring | Magic Ring / Adjustable Loop | An adjustable loop you work the first round into, then pull tight — closes the center with no hole. The ring itself isn't a stitch; your count starts with the stitches you work into it. |
| pc | Popcorn Stitch | 5 complete double crochets in one stitch, then joined into a raised bump: drop the loop, reinsert the hook through the top of the first dc and back through the last, and pull through so the group folds forward. Puffier and more raised than a bobble. |
| picot | Picot | A tiny chain loop closed back on itself. Used along edges for a decorative scalloped finish. |
| puff | 3-hdc Puff | 3 half-double crochets worked into one stitch but left unfinished — yo, insert, and pull up a loop three times, then yo and draw through all the loops at once. Soft and rounded; because it is hdc, the posts carry no marks. |
| rep | Repeat | Work the marked section again. Written patterns usually mark it with an asterisk: "*3 dc, ch 1; rep from * around". |
| rev sc | Reverse Single Crochet (Crab Stitch) | Single crochet worked backwards, left to right. Gives a twisted, corded edge. |
| rnd | Round | One full circuit worked in the round, rather than a row worked flat and turned. |
| sc | Single Crochet | The shortest of the basic stitches. Insert, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both. |
| sc-inc | sc Increase | Two single crochets worked into the same stitch, so one stitch below becomes two above. The first increase most people learn, and the one that turns a flat strip into a shape. |
| sc2tog | Single Crochet 2 Together | A decrease: two single crochets joined into one. The standard way to shape amigurumi. |
| sc3tog | Single Crochet 3 Together | Three single crochets joined into one — a sharper decrease than sc2tog. |
| shell | Shell | Several stitches fanned out of one stitch below. The building block of many classic edgings. |
| sk | Skip | Pass over a stitch without working into it — usually paired with a chain to keep the count even. |
| sl st | Slip Stitch | The flattest stitch. Used to join rounds, move across without height, and finish edges. |
| slip knot | Slip Knot | The very first loop on your hook. Adjustable, so you can snug it up without over-tightening. It isn't a stitch and isn't counted — your stitch count starts with the first chain or stitch after it. |
| sp | Space | A gap between stitches that you work into, rather than into the top of a stitch. |
| spike st | Spike Stitch | A stitch worked down into a row below the current one, stretching a long spike over the fabric. |
| st | Stitch | A single completed stitch. "(12 sts)" at the end of a round tells you the count you should have. |
| star st | Star Stitch | Loops drawn up from several stitches and closed at the center, radiating like a star. |
| surface sl st | Surface Slip Stitch | Slip stitches worked over finished fabric to draw lines on top of it. Added after the piece is done. |
| t-ch1 | Turning Chain (1) | One chain to start a row of single or half double crochet. It is just height — it does not count as a stitch, so work into the very first stitch below as normal. |
| t-ch2 | Turning Chain (2) | Two chains of height. Like the single chain it does not count as a stitch — in Crochet Bobble patterns only turning chains of three or more stand in for the first stitch. Some published patterns write "ch 2, counts as hdc"; both conventions exist, so check the pattern's own note. |
| t-ch3 | Turning Chain (3) | Three chains to start a row of double crochet. Counts as the first stitch, so skip the stitch directly below it. |
| t-ch4 | Turning Chain (4) | Four chains to start a row of treble crochet. Counts as the first stitch. |
| t-ch5 | Turning Chain (5) | Five chains to start a row of double treble crochet. Counts as the first stitch. |
| t-ch6 | Turning Chain (6) | Six chains to start a row of triple treble crochet. Counts as the first stitch. |
| third loop | Third Loop (Camel Stitch) | Unique to half double crochet: a third horizontal loop sits behind the usual two, and working into it gives a knit-like ridge. Always paired with a base stitch rather than standing on its own. |
| tr | Treble Crochet | Yarn over twice before inserting the hook. Tall and open — works up quickly. |
| tr-inc | tr Increase | Two trebles worked into the same stitch. Increases quickly, because each stitch is tall as well as doubled. |
| tr2tog | Treble Crochet 2 Together | Two trebles worked together into one, drawing two stitches below into a single stitch above. The treble version of dc2tog, and the taller the stitch the more visible the slant it leaves. |
| trtr | Triple Treble Crochet | Yarn over four times to start. Very tall — mostly seen in openwork and lace. |
| yo | Yarn Over | Wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front. The building block inside almost every stitch. |
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