Crochet Stitch Abbreviations

When you pick up a crochet pattern, the list of abbreviations can sometimes feel like a foreign language. But once you familiarise yourself with the basic terms, reading a pattern becomes a natural, fluid process. Standard abbreviations keep patterns concise and clear, allowing you to focus on the rhythm of your hands and the texture of your yarn.

Below is our master list of UK crochet stitch abbreviations, which we use across all Verde patterns. Bookmark this page for quick reference whenever you are working on a project, or when generating custom designs with purlJam.

Once you have mastered the stitch shorthand, make sure you also match your stitches with the correct yarn by checking out our ultimate yarn weight guide. Or, if you are looking to make the most of your yarn stash, read our guide on efficient crochet stitches.

General Instructions

• [ ] ~ Follow instructions within brackets as specified
• ( ) ~ Follow instructions within parentheses as specified
• * ~ Repeat instructions following the asterisk as described
• ** ~ Repeat instructions between asterisks as indicated
• A / B / C ~ Use yarn colour A / B / C, etc.

A to Z of Crochet Abbreviations

A

• ALT ~ Alternate
• APPROX ~ Approximately

B

• BL ~ Back Loop
• BLDC ~ Double Crochet Through Back Loop
• BP ~ Back Post
• BPDC ~ Back Post Double Crochet
• BPHTR ~ Back Post Half Treble Crochet
• BPTR ~ Back Post Treble Crochet

C

• CH ~ Chain
• CHSP ~ Chain Space
• CM ~ Centimetres

D

• DC ~ Double Crochet
• DC1B ~ Double Crochet in the stitch 1 row below
• DC2TOG ~ Double Crochet 2 together
• DC2TOGTBL ~ Double Crochet 2 together through back loop
• DCDEC ~ Double Crochet Decrease
• DCINC ~ Double Crochet Increase
• DCTBL ~ Double Crochet Through Back Loop

F

• FL ~ Front Loop
• FP ~ Front Post
• FPDC ~ Front Post Double Crochet
• FPTR ~ Front Post Treble Crochet

G

• G ~ Grams

H

• HTR ~ Half Treble Crochet
• HTRINC ~ Half Treble Increase

I

• INC ~ Increase(s)

P

• PM ~ Place Marker

R

• RDC ~ Reverse Double Crochet
• RS ~ Right Side

S

• SK ~ Skip
• SLST ~ Slip Stitch
• SP ~ Space
• ST ~ Stitch(es)

T

• TBL ~ Through the Back Loop
• TCH ~ Turning Chain
• TOG ~ Together
• TR ~ Treble Crochet

W

• WS ~ Wrong Side

Y

• YO ~ Yarn Over Hook

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these abbreviations in UK or US crochet terms?
All Verde patterns and guides use UK crochet terminology. For example, DC stands for double crochet (which is equivalent to US single crochet) and TR stands for treble crochet (equivalent to US double crochet).

What does TBL mean in a crochet pattern?
TBL stands for "Through the Back Loop." Instead of inserting your hook under both loops at the top of the stitch, you insert it only under the loop furthest away from you, which creates a beautiful ribbed texture.

How do I follow instructions inside brackets [ ] or parentheses ( )?
Instructions in brackets [ ] are usually repeated a specific number of times, or worked into the same stitch or space. Instructions in parentheses ( ) often denote a group of stitches worked together, or indicate sizing variations.

Why is it important to place markers (PM)?
Placing a stitch marker helps you track the beginning of a round or mark specific stitch repeats, preventing you from losing count and keeping your stitch counts accurate without constant recounting.