US vs UK Crochet Terms: Read the Pattern Before You Start
Check US and UK crochet terms, compare three common stitch names, and make a simple pattern note before your first row.
You open a crochet pattern and see dc. Before working the first stitch, find out which terminology system the designer uses. The same abbreviation can describe a different stitch in a US pattern and a UK pattern.
This guide is a reading check for ordinary crochet patterns. It is not a stitch tutorial or a replacement for the designer’s instructions.
Find the terminology system
Look in the introduction, materials list and abbreviation key for a statement such as “US crochet terms” or “UK terminology.” Read the special-stitch definitions too. A designer may define an abbreviation that does not appear in a general reference.
If the system is missing, ask the designer before starting. Do not decide from the designer’s location, the shop currency or one familiar-looking abbreviation.
Three stitch names to compare
These three common pairs refer to matching stitches under different names:
| US pattern | UK pattern |
|---|---|
| Single crochet (sc) | Double crochet (dc) |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | Half treble (htr) |
| Double crochet (dc) | Treble (tr) |
Use this small comparison to check the system, then return to the pattern’s own key. It is not a conversion chart for every stitch or a guide to Tunisian crochet.
Try a pattern-reading example
Original reading example: imagine a practice note that says “work 6 dc.” In a US-terms note, that means six US double crochet stitches. In a UK-terms note, it means six UK double crochet stitches, which correspond to US single crochet.
The number six has not changed, but the stitch has. Translating a label does not tell you where to place a stitch, how to turn or whether a turning chain counts. Check those details separately in the actual pattern. This short example is not a complete pattern to crochet from.
Make a reusable project note
Before you begin, write a short note you can find again after a break:
- Pattern: title, designer and a link to your own copy.
- Terms: US or UK, with the page or section where that is stated.
- Special instructions: where to find the designer’s stitch key and turning-chain rule.
- Next step: the row or round you will work next.
For example: “Practice project — UK terms — stitch key on page 2 — next: row 4.” These are suggested note fields, not requirements from a standards body. Keep your pattern available while you work.
Terminology is one check; tool sizing is another. Before choosing your hook, read our guide to checking crochet hook sizes in millimetres.
Keep your project notes together
Paper notes work well. If you prefer a phone, our StitchCount row counter and project notes app includes project notes alongside row and repeat counters. Choose whichever method helps you return to your own pattern with a clear next step.
Sources and scope
Craft Yarn Council: Crochet Abbreviations Master List, checked October 18, 2026. AppMaven wrote this guide and its examples; the source organization has not endorsed this article. No source diagrams or complete patterns are reproduced.
This is a reference-based explanation, not a hands-on test of a particular yarn, hook or pattern.