Basic Crochet Terms

Basic Crochet Terms Chart


Approximately / Approx
Usually referred to in the form of measurements or gauge; ie. Measures approx. 3 1/4" in diameter.
Beginning / Beg
Refers to the beginning of indicated round/row, or foundation chain. Or indicates a beginning stitch or sequence of stitches.
Between / Bet
Refers to placing the next stitch or series of stitches "between" stitches rather than working in the next stitch, or as specified by pattern instructions.
Continue / Cont.
To continue with the pattern instructions as indicated, usually referring to a pattern repeat to create a specific design within the piece.
Gauge / Gauge
Refers to obtaining the correct measurements for a specific pattern by measuring a small section of the piece. Usually a test swatch is made up to test the gauge before starting. If the sample swatch is larger or smaller than the recommended gauge, change hook or yarn/thread sizes to obtain the correct measurements. The gauge is measured by rows and/or stitches. For example a pattern may state the gauge as: 6 dc = 1" / 3 rows = 1". Measuring 6 dc across on your test swatch should equal 1" and 3 rows in height should measure 1".
Group(s) / Grp(s)
Usually refers to a group of stitches worked closely together, ie. skip next group of 3 dc, dc in first dc of next group.
Loop(s) / Lp(s)
Refers to the thread/yarn on the hook, ie. loop(s) on hook. Also can refer to the front or back loop of a certain stitch.
Mesh / M
Refers to filet crochet in which a mesh background is created by working double crochets with ch 2 spaces between each, then pictures are formed by filling in the spaces with double crochet.
Post / Post
Refers to the "bar" of the stitch rather than the top of the stitch where the hook is usually inserted.
Previous / Prev
Refers to the previous stitch or round/row as indicated by pattern instructions.
Repeat / Rep
Usually refers to repeating the instructions inside the asterisks or paranthesis as many times as indicated by pattern instructions. May also refer to repeating the design created using the pattern instructions.
Right Side / RS
Means to have the right side of work facing up. For items worked in rows, determining the right side is usually specified in pattern instructions, or the last row worked.
Round(s) / Rnd(s)
Crochet is basically worked in rounds or rows. To work in rounds, slip stitch into the beg. chain or stitch to join the round before starting the next round. Working in rounds doesn't constitute a circle. Most squares for afghans are worked in rounds.
Row(s) / R(s)
To work in rows, after completing the previous row, chain required number to equal stitch height for the next row, then turn work back, working in the opposite direction for the next row. The turning chain usually constitutes the first stitch for the next row.
Skip / Sk
To literally skip next stitch or space as indicated by pattern instructions.
Space(s) / Sp(s)
Space(s) are formed by working a certain number of chains between other stitches. When a pattern states to crochet in the next space, work the stitch indicated in pattern instructions in the next space.
Together / Tog
Work two stitches together in same stitch or space as specified by pattern instructions. May also refer to holding two strands of yarn/thread together while working.
Turning chain / Tch
The chain stitch(es) specified in pattern instructions for turning work back in the opposite direction for beginning the next row.
Wrong side / WS
Means to have the wrong side of work facing up. For items worked in rows, determining the wrong side is usually specified in pattern instructions, or the next to last row worked is the wrong side.
Back


Basic Crochet Chart



Back Loop / Blp
Insert hook in back loop of next st as indicated by pattern instructions.

Between / Bet.
Insert hook between next 2 stitches as indicated by pattern instructions, rather than in next stitch.

Chain Stitch / Ch
Hook thread and draw through loop on hook (also see beg. chain) shown below.

Decrease /Dec.
The over all effect for decreasing is to actually decrease the number of stitches in the round or row.

Decreases can be made with as few or as many stitches indicated in pattern instructions. If pattern instructions do not state which stitch is to be used to decrease, continue with the same stitch used prior to decreasing. Symbol shown above is for a double crochet decrease.

Single Crochet Decrease:
Insert hook in stitch indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through last 3 loops on hook to complete stitch.

Half Double Crochet Decrease:
Yarn over, insert hook in stitch indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, yarn over and insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through last 5 loops on hook to complete stitch.

Double Crochet Decrease:
Yarn over, insert hook in stitch indicated in pattern instructions, draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook, (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through last 3 loops on hook to complete stitch.

Triple Crochet Decrease:
Yarn over twice, insert hook in stitch indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yarn over twice, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, (3 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through last 3 loops on hook to complete stitch.

Double Crochet / Dc
Yarn over, insert hook in stitch or space indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, (3 loops on hook), (yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice to complete stitch.

Double Treble Crochet / Dtr / Dtrc
Yarn over 3 times, insert hook in stitch or space as indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, (5 loops on hook), (yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times to complete stitch.

Front Loop Only / Flp
Insert hook in front loop of next st as indicated by pattern instructions.

Half Double Crochet / Hdc
Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch or space as indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook to complete stitch.

Increase / Inc
Increases can be varied by as few or as many stitches as indicated by pattern instructions. If pattern instructions do not state which stitch is to be used for increase, continue with the same stitch used prior to increasing. Increases are usually 2 stitches worked in next stitch to produce an increase. The symbol shown is a double crochet increase.

Single Crochet / Sc
Insert hook in next stitch as indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through both loops on hook to complete stitch.

Slip Stitch / Sl st
Insert hook in next stitch as indicated by pattern instructions, yarn over and draw through the stitch and loop on hook to complete the stitch.

Stitch(es) / St(s)
Refers to any stitch in pattern instructions without referring to a partiuclar stitch. ie; Dc in next stitch as opposed to Dc in next dc.

Treble Crochet / Triple Crochet / Trc / Tr
Yarn over twice, insert hook in stitch or space as indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, (yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times to complete the stitch.

Triple Treble Crochet / Trtrc / trtr
Yarn over 4 times, insert hook in stitch or space indicated by pattern instructions, draw up a loop, (5 loops on hook), (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) 5 times to complete the stitch.

Yarn over / Yo
Refers to pulling yarn (thread) over the crochet hook for either making a particular stitch, such as a double crochet, or to hook thread and draw through a stitch.
Back



© Copyright Crochet Memories.com, 2010.
All rights reserved.