Below you'll find the most common written pattern crochet abbreviations in American English. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and many of the abbreviations here can be mixed and matched together. Not all designers use the standard abbreviations all the time, so always read a pattern thoroughly, including any notes, before you begin. I've also included some common crochet lingo you might see on message boards or social media. All abbreviations here are listed alphabetically, and if they are linked, then click on them to go to a Moogly video tutorial!
| alt | alternative/alternate |
| beg | begin/beginning |
| bet | between |
| blo | back loop only |
| bp | back post (combined with other sts, such as bpdc) |
| CA | Color A |
| CC | Color C or Contrasting Color |
| ch(s) | chain(s) |
| ch sp(s) | chain space(s) |
| cl | cluster |
| csdc | chainless starting double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| dec | decrease (usually combined; also see inv dec - invisible decrease) |
| dtr | double treble |
| edc or exdc | extended double crochet |
| ehdc | extended half double crochet |
| esc or exsc | extended single crochet |
| fdc | foundation double crochet |
| fhdc | foundation half double crochet |
| flo | front loop only |
| FO | Finished Object or Finish Off |
| fsc | foundation single crochet |
| fp | front post |
| hbdc | herringbone double crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| hhdc | herringbone half double crochet |
| HOTH | Hot Off The Hook |
| inc | increase |
| ldc | linked double crochet |
| lp(s) | loop(s) |
| ltr | linked treble crochet |
| MC | Main Color or Magic Circle |
| p | picot |
| pm | place marker (a stitch marker) |
| prev | previous |
| quadtr | quadruple treble |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| rnd | round |
| RS | Right Side |
| rsc | reverse single crochet (crab stitch) |
| sc | single crochet |
| sk | skip |
| sl st(s) | slip stitch(es) |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| tch | turning chain |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble |
| trtr | triple treble |
| UFO | UnFinished Object |
| v st | V stitch (usually dc, ch 1, dc in the same st) |
| WIP | Work In Progress |
| WS | Wrong Side |
| yo | yarn over |
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