Here is a list of standard abbreviations used in English patterns and what they mean. Note that these refer to American terms; British terms are slightly different.
Abbreviations
(For the moment, I’m not touching cables or back/front loops. We’ll come back to them. They are superb techniques for advanced beginners or intermediate crocheters.)
approx……………… approximately
beg…………………… begining
CC……………………. contrast colour
ch…………………….. chain
ch-…………………… chain x number
ch sp………………… chain space
cm……………………. centimeter(s)
cont………………….. continue
dc…………………….. double crochet
dc dec………………. double crochet decrease (2 or more dc together, as indicated) also : dc2tog
dec…………………… decrease
g……………………… grams
hdc…………………… half-double crochet
hdc dec…………….. half-double crochet decrease (2 or more hdc together, as indicated) also : hdc2tog
inc…………………… increase
lp(s)………………… loops (usually refers to # of loops on hook)
MC…………………… main colour
mm………………….. millimeter(s)
patt………………….. refers to stitch pattern, or stitches repeated for this row / section / item.
pm…………………… place marker in indicated stitch
prev…………………. previous
rem………………….. remaining
rep…………………… repeat(s)
rnd(s)………………. round(s)
RS…………………… right side
sc……………………. single crochet
sc dec……………… single crochet decrease (2 or more sc together, as indicated) also : sc2tog
sk…………………… skip
sl st…………………. slip stitch
sp(s)……………….. space(s)
st(s)………………… stitch(es)
tch …………………. turning chain
tog………………….. together
WS…………………. wrong side
yd(s)……………….. yard(s)
yo…………………… yarn over
This list is as complete as possible, and will be revised as needed. Come back to it regularly or add it to your favorites to find it easily when needed.
