So you’ve picked up your first crochet pattern, and it’s full of abbreviations.  What the heck?!  It’s just a bunch of gibberish!  How on earth are you supposed to follow the instructions when you can’t even tell what it’s talking about?

I feel your pain, I really do.  The language of crochet pattern instructions is like learning a foreign language.  But, do not fret!  Once you know the abbreviations and terms, you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.  Let’s take a look at the language of crochet…

Abbreviations + Common Terms in Crochet Patterns

Why aren’t the instructions written out?

That’s a great question.  The short answer is: if abbreviations weren’t employed, a pattern would be much longer and very difficult to read.  Also, by using abbreviations, a pattern writer standardizes the language used in his/her pattern.  So, once you know the ropes, pattern reading will become a lot easier.

What’s included in a typical pattern?

As a general rule, a pattern writer will include a chart of abbreviations and special stitches used in the pattern instructions.  Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.  So, as the crocheter, it’s to your advantage that you familiarize yourself with the abbreviations as you learn and master crochet stitches.  That way you’ll be better prepared when you tackle a new pattern.

Basic stitches + Modifiers

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most of the stitches you’ll use in a pattern are one of those listed in the chart below.  When your patterns and projects become more advanced, the designer will probably give you some extra help and explanation. For instance, any special stitches a designer has created or that are not among these basic stitches should be explained by the designer.  Hopefully, he/she will include photo or video tutorials to help you.

Besides becoming proficient in these standard stitches, commit them and their abbreviations to memory to save yourself time trying to figure them out every time you look at the pattern.

Common terms

Along with your basic stitches, these are terms that are used so often that you need to have them committed to memory as well.

Weight + Length

You’ll find these abbreviations in the description of the yarns being used.  They are found in the “Finished Size” and “Gauge” sections as well.  Occasionally a designer will include these in the pattern instructions if you are asked to work a section for a specific measurement rather than a certain number of rows or rounds.  On yarn labels you may find either US or metric measurements and sometimes even a combination of both.

Other terms you might encounter…

These terms won’t necessarily be in a pattern you read.  However, you may run into them any place crochet is mentioned…

FO – Finished Object

HOTH – Hot Off The Hook

UFO – Un-Finished Object

WIP – Work In Progress

Start your journey here

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A word about US vs UK terms

Yep, some of them are different.  And, they can be mightily confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking at.  While the construction of all the basic stitches remains the same, the name is different.  In a future post, I’ll go into detail about the differences, and give you what you need to successfully work a pattern that uses either set of terms.

Here are a couple of patterns you can practice with.

The Linen Stitch Mug Rug

The Provence Ruffled Shawl

To wrap it all up…

If you can’t remember all of this right now, have no fear.  You don’t have to because you have this handy guide to download for FREE!  However, just like anything else you do, over time you’ll find that it will become second nature.  ☺️