Crochet patterns can be a challenge to read and interpret because the lingo and terminology used, as well as the style in which the pattern is written, will vary depending on the author so I have attempted to demystify the cryptic language I use and arm users with the ability to master most even the most confusing or insanely written instructions. Most patterns will have a glossary at the beginning or describe the terms they are using, especially if the pattern is aimed at beginners so check there if it isn’t one of my patterns. The focus of this guide is on stitches used in Amigurumi crochet patterns so I don’t intend to include some of the stitches rarely used in Amigurumi patterns.
Abbreviation | Definition | Equivalent |
---|---|---|
* * | Some patterns indicate repeats using asterisk (eg: SC, INC *6*, meaning SC then INC and repeat that sequences 6 times). | [ ], { }, ( ) |
( ) | Some patterns indicate repeats using brackets (eg: SC, INC (6), meaning SC then INC and repeat that sequences 6 times) or indicate the total number of stitches in a round within brackets for reference (eg: SC, INC; repeat x 6; (18)). | [ ], {}, ** |
; | Some patterns indicate sequences or grouped stitches using semi-colons or commas (eg: SC, INC; *6* (18) meaning Single Crochet then Increase and repeat that sequence 6 times for a total of 18 stitches). | :, |
Alt | Alternating. | None |
BL or BLO | Back Loop, BLO meaning Back Loop Only. The back loop is the loop that is on the wrong side of the piece. | None |
Beg | Beginning. | 1st |
CH | Chain stitch, sometimes written as 2 CH meaning make 2 chain stitches, or CH 2 or CH x 2 meaning the same thing. | CHs (meaning Chains) |
DC | Double Crochet. | None |
DEC | Decrease, meaning to decrease 2 stitches from the last row into 1 stitch in this row. | SC2Tog, INVDEC |
FL or FLO | Front Loop, FLO meaning Front Loop Only. The front loop is the loop that is on the right or outer facing side of the piece. | None |
FO | Can mean Finish Off (cut yarn and pull through the last stitch so your work won’t unravel) or Finished Object. | None |
INC | Increase, meaning make 2 stitches in 1 stitch from the previous row. | SC 2 in 1 ST |
INCL | Included or inclusive of. | None |
INVDEC | Invisible decrease, meaning to decrease 2 stitches from the last row into 1 stitch in this row using the Invisible Decrease technique. INVDEC and DEC can be interchanged in most patterns. | SC2Tog, DEC |
LP | Loop, usually used in part of an instruction and may define front or back loop by adding an F or P. | L, FL (front loop), BL (back loop) |
Rep | Repeat. | None |
R | Row, typically used to refer to the rows of work when joining and not working in a spiral. | None |
Rnd | Round, typically used to refer to rows when working in a spiral or without joining. Some patterns worked in the round will refer to rounds as rows. | None |
RS | Right Side. In Amigurumi Crochet the right side will usually be the side of the stitch into which you insert your hook when you do your stitches. This side will show stitches that appear like vertical “V’s” in a finished looking fabric. | None |
SC | Single Crochet, sometimes written as 2 SC meaning make 2 single crochet stitches, or SC 2 or SC x 2 meaning the same thing. | None |
SC 2 Tog | SC 2 Together, meaning to decrease 2 SC stitches from the last row into 1 stitch in this row. Same as DEC and can be interchanged with INVDEC in most patterns. | INVDEC, DEC |
SK | Skip. | None |
SL ST | Slip Stitch. | SLST, SLP |
Sp | Space. | None |
ST | Stitch. | None |
TC | Triple or Treble Crochet. | None |
Tog | Together. | None |
WS | Wrong Side. In Amigurumi crochet this will be the side opposite to the side you insert your crochet hook. Stitches appear more blockish on this side and give a chunkier look. Pieces finished wrong side out will appear more square. | None |
YO | Yarn Over. | YOH (yarn over hook) |
Yn | Yarn. | Y, Yn |