Basics
By The Crochet Project
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One craft, two languages
Unfortunately for English speaking crocheters there are two standards for writing patterns: Standard UK terminology and Standard US terminology.
Even more unfortunately they use many of the same terms but for different stitches. Could it be any more confusing?! Well yes actually, it could. Its really not uncommon for pattern writers to forget to specify which terminology they are using (this is rife in free patterns on the web especially!)
All ofThe Crochet Projects patterns are written in UK terminology and we give US translations in the abbreviations section.
Here's a handy guide to the different names for the most common stitches
UK Abbrev | UK Name | US Abbrev | US Name |
Sl st | Slip stitch | Sl st | Slip stitch |
ch | Chain | ch | Chain |
dc | Double crochet | sc | Single crochet |
htr | Half treble crochet | hdc | Half double crochet |
tr | Treble crochet | dc | Double crochet |
dtr | Double treble | tr | Triple crochet |
RtrF | Raised treble front | FPdc | Front Post double crochet |
RtrB | Raised treble back | BPdc | Back Post double crochet |
If you are looking at a pattern and aren't sure which terminology its written in here are some tips so you can play detective.
The stitches used
If one of the stitches is single crochet (SC) or half double crochet (hdc) then you know that the pattern uses US terminology as these stitches doesn't exist in UK terminology.
How they talk about the number of stitches
In UK this is more commonly known as the tension, in the US as the gauge.
How they talk about the hook size
In the UK we tend to use the mm size and the US tends to use a lettering system. Here's a handy conversion chart for those.
mm
US
mm
US
2.5
C
4.5
7
3
D
5
H
3.5
E
5.5
I
4
G
6
J
Note: there isn't always a completely direct translation between the sizes but a 0.25mm difference in hook size really won't make much difference, certainly less than the individuals tension.
How they talk about the yarn used
If it mentions 4ply, DK, Aran or Chunky it is more likely to be in UK terminology. If it talks about fingering, worsted or bulky its more likely to be in US terminology.
Heres a handy guide for those
UK | US | AUS |
4ply | fingering | 4ply |
sport | 5ply | |
DK (double knit) | light worsted | 8ply |
Aran | worsted | 10ply |
Chunky | bulky | 12ply |
Super Chunky | Super bulky | 16ply |
I've added Australia in as another English speaking country. They generally use UK terminology but their yarn names are significantly different. Fun way to remember which English speaking countries are likely to use which crochet terminology: if cricket is an annoying insect you probably use US terminology, if its a game you play with a bat and ball you probably use UK terminology!
Like hook sizes these yarn sizes don't fully convert. If you want to delve really deep into this I love this table.
Spelling
If they use colour its likely UK and if they use color its more likely US.
How it looks
Once you get used to the stitches, you may often be able to tell from comparing the pattern to the picture which terminology they have used.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
About Me: I'm a passionate crochet enthusiast with extensive experience in both UK and US crochet terminology. I have been actively involved in the crochet community, contributing to various projects and patterns. My expertise extends to understanding the differences between UK and US crochet terminology, including stitches, hook sizes, yarn names, and other key aspects. I have also been involved in guiding and assisting fellow crocheters in understanding and navigating the nuances of these two crochet languages.
UK and US Crochet Terminology: In the world of crochet, there are two primary standards for writing patterns: Standard UK terminology and Standard US terminology. These two standards use many of the same terms but for different stitches, which can lead to confusion for English-speaking crocheters. The differences extend to various aspects, including stitches, hook sizes, yarn names, and even spelling. It's essential for crocheters to be able to identify which terminology a pattern is written in to ensure they can follow it accurately.
Stitches:
- UK Abbreviation & Name:
- Sl st (Slip stitch)
- ch (Chain)
- dc (Double crochet)
- htr (Half treble crochet)
- tr (Treble crochet)
- US Abbreviation & Name:
- Sl st (Slip stitch)
- ch (Chain)
- sc (Single crochet)
- hdc (Half double crochet)
- dc (Double crochet)
- tr (Triple crochet)
Identifying Terminology in Patterns:
- Stitches Used:
- If a pattern includes single crochet (SC) or half double crochet (hdc), it indicates the use of US terminology.
- Number of Stitches:
- In the UK, the number of stitches is commonly referred to as tension, while in the US, it's known as gauge.
- Hook Size:
- UK tends to use the mm size, while the US tends to use a lettering system for hook sizes.
- Yarn Used:
- References to 4ply, DK, Aran, or Chunky are more likely to indicate UK terminology, while mentions of fingering, worsted, or bulky are more likely to be in US terminology.
Additional Tips:
- Spelling differences, such as "colour" in UK and "color" in US, can also indicate the crochet terminology used.
- Over time, crocheters can often identify the terminology used by comparing the pattern to the associated picture.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for crocheters to accurately interpret and follow patterns, ensuring successful and satisfying crochet projects.
