US vs UK crochet terms
The same stitches have different names in US and UK patterns. A US single crochet is a UK double crochet, and every taller stitch shifts up one name.
Updated
| US term | US abbr. | UK term | UK abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | ch | Chain | ch |
| Slip stitch | sl st | Slip stitch | ss |
| Single crochet | sc | Double crochet | dc |
| Half double crochet | hdc | Half treble | htr |
| Double crochet | dc | Treble | tr |
| Treble (triple) crochet | tr | Double treble | dtr |
| Double treble crochet | dtr | Triple treble | trtr |
| Skip | sk | Miss | — |
| Yarn over | yo | Yarn over hook / yarn round hook | yoh, yrh |
| Gauge | — | Tension | — |
How to tell which terms a pattern uses
- It mentions single crochet (sc): US terms. There is no single crochet in UK terms.
- It mentions half treble (htr) or triple treble (trtr): UK terms.
- It says gauge and skip: probably US. Tension and miss: probably UK.
- The designer or publisher is British, Irish, Australian or South African: often UK, but check the pattern's notes.
Getting this wrong makes every stitch one size too tall or too short, so a project comes out much bigger or smaller than planned. If a swatch looks far off, check the terms first.
Common questions
Is a UK double crochet the same as a US single crochet?
Yes. They are the same stitch. The UK names count the loops on the hook differently, so every stitch taller than a slip stitch is one name "higher" in UK terms.
Which should I learn, US or UK terms?
Learn the stitches, then read the names from whichever pattern you use. Most online patterns use US terms, and most UK and Australian magazines use UK terms.
Do US and UK crochet patterns use the same hooks?
Yes. Hook sizes are best matched in millimetres, which are the same everywhere. See the crochet hook size chart for letter and old UK sizes.