Because of the length required to write out an entire crochet pattern in long hand, common
abbreviations are used in nearly all patterns. Take, for example, this row of a pattern:
Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook, then chain 1, skip 1 chain, make 1 double crochet in each of the next 4 chains. Chain 1, skip 1 chain, and make 1 double crochet in each of the next 4 chains until reaching the end of the row. Finish by chaining 1, skipping 1 chain, and making 1 double crochet in each of the last 2 chains. Lastly, chain 3, and turn.
Versus the same row of instructions, in
shorthand abbreviations:
Dc in 4th ch from hk, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in ea of next 4 ch. Rep from * across, ending ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in ea of last 2 ch, ch 3, turn.
Though it may appear daunting at first, in the end, shorthand patterns save experienced crocheters time, and even money, because pattern books will cost less when they are shorter.
The common crochet abbreviations:
- BLO
- Back loop(s) only
- BPdc
- Back Post double crochet(s)
- DBhdc
- Back Post half double crochet(s)
- CC
- Contrasting Color
- ch(s)
- chain(s)
- dec
- decrease
- dc
- double crochet(s)
- ea
- each
- Ex sc
- Extended single crochet(s)
- FLO
- Front Loop(s) Only
- FPdc
- Front Post double crochet(s)
- FPtr
- Front Post treble/triple crochet(s)*
- hdc
- half double crochet(s)
- hk
- hook
- inc
- increase
- lp
- loop
- MC
- Main Color
- rep
- repeat
- Rnd(s)
- Round(s)
- sc
- single crochet(s)
- sk
- skip
- sl st
- slip stitch
- sp(s)
- space(s)
- st(s)
- stitch(es)
- tr
- treble/triple crochet(s)
- YO
- Yarn Over
* Note that triple crochet and treble crochet mean the same thing, and are used interchangeably, with triple crochet being the more common term.
Sources:
Crochet For Today, Anne Child
Crocheting in Plain English, Maggie Righetti