Crochet terminology

Author: Crochetly · Last updated: May 16, 2026

Sources: The Craft Yarn Council

Crochet is a needlework technique where you create fabric by interlocking loops of yarn or thread with a hooked needle (a crochet hook). This page covers common crochet terms you will see in patterns.

Basic crochet terms

The table below covers essential crochet terms: chain, slip stitch, yarn over, and more. These are the building blocks of every pattern.

Term	Abbreviation	Meaning
Chain	ch	The foundation of most crochet patterns; made by pulling yarn through a loop.
Slip Stitch	sl st	A joining stitch with no height; used to join rounds or move stitches.
Yarn Over	yo	Wrapping the yarn over the hook to prepare for making a stitch.
Skip	sk	To skip a stitch or space in a pattern.
Turn	-	Used at the end of a row to flip your work and begin a new row.
Stitch	st	A general term for any individual crochet stitch.
Working in Rows	-	Crocheting back and forth in rows, turning the work at the end of each row.
Joining New Yarn	-	Attaching a new strand of yarn, often at the beginning of a new section or color.
Changing Color	-	Switching to a different yarn color, usually completed in the last yarn-over of a stitch.
Holding the Yarn	-	The way you tension and guide yarn with your non-dominant hand.
Fastening Off	-	Finishing the last stitch and cutting the yarn to secure your work.
Finger Wrap	-	A method of wrapping yarn around your fingers to begin a project, often used for a magic ring or loop.

What pattern-specific terms should you know?

Increase (inc), decrease (dec), front loop only (flo), and back loop only (blo) are common in patterns. Right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) tell you which side is the front.

Term	Abbreviation	Meaning
Increase	inc	Adding stitches, often by making two stitches in the same space.
Decrease	dec	Reducing stitches, usually by combining two stitches into one.
Front Loop Only	flo	Work the stitch only through the front loop of the stitch.
Back Loop Only	blo	Work the stitch only through the back loop of the stitch.
Right Side	RS	The intended “front” or visible side of your project.
Wrong Side	WS	The back or reverse side of the project.
Fasten Off	-	To secure and cut the yarn after finishing a project.
Weave In Ends	-	Tucking and hiding yarn tails in your work for a neat finish.

What special terms appear in pattern rounds?

Repeat (rep), round (rnd), and space (sp) are terms you will see often. “Work even” means continue without increasing or decreasing.

Term	Abbreviation	Meaning
Repeat	rep	Do the previous instructions again.
Round	rnd	A circle of stitches; common in hats, motifs, and amigurumi.
Space	sp	A chain space or gap created between stitches.
Work Even	-	Continue stitching without increasing or decreasing.
Gauge	-	The number of stitches/rows per inch; important for sizing.

Common crochet stitches

The table below covers the most frequently used crochet stitches, from single crochet (sc) to specialty stitches like bobble and puff.

This list is not exhaustive. Refer to YouTube crochet tutorials for in-depth video tutorials.

Stitch Name	Abbreviation	Meaning
Slip Stitch	sl st	A short stitch used to join rounds, move across stitches, or finish work.
Single Crochet	sc	A basic stitch; short and dense.
Half Double Crochet	hdc	Taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet.
Double Crochet	dc	A common stitch; taller than hdc, creates a looser fabric.
Triple/Treble Crochet	tr	Taller than a double crochet; wrap yarn twice before inserting the hook.
Double Treble Crochet	dtr	Even taller than treble crochet; yarn over three times.
Single Crochet Two Together	sc2tog	A decrease worked by combining two sc stitches into one.
Double Crochet Two Together	dc2tog	A decrease combining two dc stitches into one.
Increase	inc	Two stitches worked into the same stitch to increase width.
Decrease	dec	Combines stitches together to reduce stitch count.
Front Post Double Crochet	fpdc	A dc worked around the post (front) of the stitch below.
Back Post Double Crochet	bpdc	A dc worked around the post (back) of the stitch below.
Cluster Stitch	cl	A group of stitches joined at the top to form one stitch.
Popcorn Stitch	-	Several stitches worked into one, then closed to form a raised “pop.”
Bobble Stitch	-	A raised stitch made by partially completing several stitches in one spot.
Puff Stitch	-	A textured stitch made by drawing up multiple loops in the same space.
Foundation Single Crochet	fsc	A foundation chain and single crochet combined into one row.
Foundation Double Crochet	fdc	A foundation chain and double crochet combined into one row.
Extended Single Crochet	esc	A variation of sc that adds a bit of height and stretch.
Spike Stitch	-	A sc worked into a row or two below the current one, creating a vertical look.