I’m hoping to take a little bit of the mystery out of learning to crochet by sharing this free printable crochet terms chart.When you’re first learning how to crochet, the terminology can be a little confusing and intimidating. Exactly what does “dcbp” mean, anyway?
Crochet Terms
Below is a list of some of the more commonly used crochet terms. Both below and in the printable version of the Crochet Terms Printable Chart, you’ll see the crochet abbreviation followed by a description. Also, please note that there is a difference between US crochet terminology and UK crochet terminology. In this chart and throughout this blog, all references are to US crochet terms. Here’s a nice article on Craftsy about the differences in the American and British crochet terms.
alt Alternate
approx approximately
beg beginning
ch Chain
cm centimeter(s)
BL Back loop(s)
BP Back post
BPdc Back post double crochet
BPsc Back post single crochet
BPtr Back post treble crochet
CC Contrasting color
ch Chain stitch
CL cluster
cont Continue
dc double crochet
dcbp Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next st at back of work inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice – 1 dcbp made.
Dcfp Yoh and draw up a loop around post of next st at front of work inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice – 1 dcfp made.
dec Decrease
dtr double treble
Dtrfp (Yoh) 3 times and draw up a loop around post of next stitch at front of work 2 rows below inserting hook from right to left. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times.
FL Front loop(s)
FP Front post
FPdc Front post double crochet
FPsc Front post single crochet
FPtr Front post treble crochet
hdc half double crochet
Abbreviation Description
inc Increase
lp(s) loops
MC Main color
p picot
pat pattern
prev Previous
rem remain(ing)
rep repeat
reverse sc reverse single crochet
rnd(s) round(s)
RS right side
sc single crochet
sk Skip
sl st Slip stitch
sp(s) space(s)
st(s) stitch(es)
tog together
tr treble crochet
WS wrong side
yo Yarn over
yoh Yarn over hook
[ ] Work instructions in bracket as many times as directed
( ) Work instructions in parentheses as many times as directed
* Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
* * Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed
“ Inches
Download Crochet Terms Printable Chart
I’ve created a chart of the crochet terms that I’m most familiar with. You can download this Crochet Terms printable chart by clicking on the below image.
The Crochet Terms chart is in PDF format. So, you can easily print it or display it on your computer, phone, tablet or other compatible device.
I was recently helping my daughter to teach her stepdaughter how to crochet. I told her the best thing for her to do is to read all she can about how to crochet, watch YouTube videos and chain. Chain until you can wrap the chain around the house. Chain until you can do it blindfolded in your sleep!
I remember when I was a little girl just learning to crochet. I could crochet a chain like you wouldn’t believe. But, my mom said I had to master crocheting a chain with consistent chains before she would teach me any of the stitches. According to my opinion, I mastered it in about a week. According to my mom’s standards, it took about a month of doing nothing but crocheting the world’s longest chain. To me, it seemed like eternity!
If you’re new to crocheting, don’t get discouraged. Everyone started out as a newbie at some point and had to learn, grow and perfect their craft. I’ve been crocheting for decades – literally – and I learn something new about crocheting all the time! And I’m not perfect. Big surprise, I know!
This post contains affiliate links to products I highly recommend. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you.
I like to save my crochet patterns on my iPador Kindle so I can easily get to them if I need to refer to them. You can print out the Crochet Terms chart and keep it where you can refer to it when needed. It doesn’t do much good to have resources if you don’t know where they are!
I like to laminate charts that I print so they don’t get destroyed or damaged. I have a conversion chart that I laminated and it hangs inside my kitchen cupboard. I have the crochet terms laminated and I keep it with my stash of yarn. By the way, I have this laminator and I absolutely love it. It’s small, lightweight and works amazingly well! (I also use the Scotch brand laminator pouches. I haven’t tried other brands though.)
I hope you will find this crochet terms chart beneficial to you or someone you know. Feel free to share this chart with your friends. Best of luck in your crochet journey!
Til next time…
