Full guide with the list of crocheting symbols, abbreviations and terms used in USA.
In the era of advanced technologies, we can befriend crochet enthusiasts from across the globe. Although many crafters speak English, the majority doesn’t. English may be recognized as the language of the Web, but crocheting uses own terms.
So, what’s the common terminology of crocheting? It has to be the language that all crafters can read despite their mother tongue. Actually, it has to be both arithmetical and visual, such as crochet symbols and abbreviations.
Crochet symbols
Crochet symbols are hand drawn crochet stitches which are usually indicated in the pattern diagram for crocheting and which make a pattern when performing them in the specified sequence.
Craft Yarn Council of America (which represents the leading organizations in the industry) has adopted the uniform crochet chart symbols, abbreviations and terms, which are commonly employed in all projects.
Each crochet symbol in conjunction with other symbols makes a specific crochet stitch.
On mycrochetpattern you can find the biggest infographic of crochet symbols, abbreviations and terms.
If you like this and want to see more of them subscribe to our cozy Pinterest page. This way you don’t miss a single new pattern.
Crochet stitch chart
Crochet stitch chart or diagram are a drawing of a specific crochet pattern which consists of crochet symbols and is performed by the crocheter in the specified sequence.
Types of crochet stitch charts:
- Depending on your skill level:
- For beginners
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Depending on the technique you follow:
- Filet
- Lace
- Motif
- Tunisian
- Edging
Different crochet stitches for beginners
There are basic crochet stitches that are crucial for crocheting; without learning them, it is impossible to start the process. Such stitches are very easy to learn and simple to perform. These include:
- Chain
- Slip stitch
- Single crochet
- Half double crochet
- Double crochet
- Treble crochet
Advanced crochet stitches
For more experienced crochet masters, there are advanced crochet stitches on our website, such as:
- Back post and front post stitches
- Bullion stitch
- Crab stitch
- Picot stitch
- Solomon’s knot stitch
This is not a complete list of the crochet stitches we cover on our web site. If you’d like to take a look at some other options, visit our page of crochet stitches. You’ll find free instructions for many other types of stitches.
Crochet terms
In crocheting, there are also certain terms that need to be remembered or printed out. Those terms are designed to make the written pattern less cumbersome and easier to read even by newbie crocheters.
* – repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
** – repeat instructions between asterisk as many times as directed or repeat at specified location
{} – work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
[] – work instructions within brackets as many times as directed() – work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed or work a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space
Common measurements
Common measurements are abbreviations denoting a specific unit in the measurement system which determines the amount of yarn, thread, etc.
” or in – inch
cm – centimeter
g – gram
m – meter
mm – milimeter
oz – ounce
yd – yard
Every country has its own measurements, however, crochet masters need to clearly distinguish and translate them.
Common English (American) abbreviations
I use US Crochet Terminology in all my patterns.Knowing and considering this, you can easily translate any crocheting pattern into the language you need.
In addition, our platform offers you several options for crochet abbreviations in different languages, such as:
- British
- Russian
- German
- Spanish
- Japanese
- International
Reading crochet diagram
In crocheting, the master’s ability to read diagrams – drawings that depict patterns – is important too.
Beginners should memorize a few tricks for reading diagrams:
- Basic information
- Title — it gives you an idea of what this pattern is for: scarf, blouse, booties
- Difficulty level will show you what kind of crocheter this pattern is designed for – beginner, experienced or advanced one
- The finished product size will show you how much the finished result will suit you. Clothing patterns can contain several sizes.
- List of necessary materials, for example what type of yarn and hook to choose to completely create the pattern
- Abbreviations and Terms
- Gauge is used to check if you have chosen the right hook and yarn. Crochet a small piece of the pattern and look at the sizes indicated in the diagram: if they are larger, take a hook of a smaller size, if they are smaller, take a hook of a larger size.
- Check all the symbols and abbreviations, it’s best to study in advance all the unfamiliar ones.
- Check all the terms
- Pattern drawing
- Determine the way of crocheting — in the round, in rows
- Start by doing the chain stitch — the fundamental row
- Follow the rows carefully, and if necessary, use a marker or a row counter
- Complete the work as shown in the diagram. Check the finishing steps provided in your pattern to determine if the project needs to be sewn together or blocked. The finishing steps will often advise you about how to add accessories as well, such as buttons or ribbon.
Crochet hook sizes
We have metric, US and UK hook sizes. In all my patterns I use metric hook sizes. But if you are used to using US or UK hook sizes, I don’t want you to miss out and become totally confused.
| Metric diameter | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| 2.25 mm | 13 | B-1 |
| 2.75 mm | — | C-2 |
| 3.25 mm | 10 | D-3 |
| 3.5 mm | 9 | E-4 |
| 3.75 mm | — | F-5 |
| 4 mm | 8 | G-6 (Boye G-6 is 4.25mm) |
| 4.5 mm | 7 | — |
| 5 mm | 6 | H-8 |
| 5.5 mm | 5 | I-9 |
| 6 mm | 4 | J-10 |
| 6.5 mm | 3 | K-10.5 |
| 8 mm | 0 | L-11 |
| 9 mm | 00 | M/N-13 |
| 10 mm | 000 | N/P-15 |
| 15 mm | — | P/Q |
| 16 mm | — | Q |
If you would like a printer-friendly version of the Crochet Hook Size and Abbreviations chart, feel free to save the image below to your computer. You can do that by right-clicking on the image and choosing Save Image As…
Printable crochet stitch guide in pdf
All patterns, guide, scheme and tutorial are free at the MyCrochetPattern. To download in pdf you do not need to register on the site – just press the button below.
If you have any questions regarding how to crochet, how to use hooks or how to open a pdf scheme and how to read it – go to the section for beginners.
Video tutorial
Our YouTube channel already has many tutorial videos and a large community of followers. Feel free to visit our channel, sign up and we will be happy to share new patterns, lessons, master classes, guides, absolutely for free.
See more video tutorial on our youtube channel
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…and learn the step by step tutorial on how to make it easily and fast.
Crochet books
There are a lot of cool specialists who teach crocheting (exactly how to crochet various stitches, how to read patterns). And we are happy to share links to the best crochet books with you.
We hope that they will help you begin your fascinating journey into crocheting. And if you are an advanced crocheter, then they will help you find something new, and improve your skills even more.
Hola, muy bueno el tutorial , ojalá hayan más. Sería posible que los símbolos para el ganchillo se publicaran también en español? Mil gracias por su labor educativa
I’ve been waiting for the right thing to come along to get back in to crochet I think maybe this will help
to: Olga Cecilia Montoya R.
Thank you for your kind words
The infographic with crochet attributes in Spanish in on the way. I just need to learn your beautiful language a bit.
to: Gloria Rhoades h
It means a lot to me. Thanks
If you have any troubles regarding crocheting or crochet symbols – fell free to ask. I would love to help
I’m trying to write out a graph pattern and I can’t figure out the symbols. Not sure what language it is in and there is no translation button for the notes. But just looking at the symbol conversion chart don’t help because the symbols in the graph aren’t on the chart.
Is there some where else to get a chart that would help?
The upper part – “symbols” – shows different crochet symbols and their names. By learning them you can “read” any crochet scheme. On my website you can find a lot of posts about how to crochet every one of them.
The second part – “terms” – is the list of abbreviations and often used terms so you can better understand the schemes for crocheting.
If you have any troubles with reading your scheme – feel free to send it to me and I’ll help you to read it.
do u think u can send this to me to my email?
Thank You,
Is there some way to make this chart so it can be printed? I tried to copy and paste but can’t make it fit w/o having to reduce to super tiny print because it won’t fit on one page. Would be great to have this ref chart in the front of my patterns book
Hi
The email with the infographic is sent. Let me know if I can do something else for you.
Hello
I have made a printable version of this crochet pattern graph. The link is on the page.
If you have any problem regarding this infographic – please let me know.
Thank you so much; it makes it easier with this to find what a symbol means.
Thank you so much for the thorough list of crochet symbols. I can not find any tutorial or written explanation for the doble Y stitch or the doble treble crochet Y stitch. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for the printable.
Always welcome!
Thank you for the feedback.
The tutorial for those stitches would be ready in a few days!
Any ideas on where I can find a Russian to English crochet symbols chart?
Hello
I don’t really understand what are you looking for. Could you please tell me more?
The chart in this post contains all crochet symbols and abbreviations that I found translated to English (including Russian-English translation).
I have a crochet pattern that was made in 1931 and I do not really under stand what they mean, here is an example: One space, 3 bars 1 space 4 tr, how do you do a bar and a treble stitch I know the space says to chain 5 miss 5 and there should be 51 open lacets or bars this was my Grandmothers pattern and she is not with us anymore and I would love to make this . Please help if you can. Thank you
Hello
I’ll try to help you, but it’s hard to understand the meaning of your example without the whole pattern. If you could send me the pattern, I’ll try to help. You can send the pattern here – editor@mycrochetpattern.com
what does this mean?
(1sc, np)*3 (9)