This page contains a glossary of the more common abbreviations and terms and symbols that are specific to reading crochet patterns.
(There is a companion page of English-type abbreviations used in crochet patterns.)
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Example |
| ch | chain | Ch 4, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring |
| dc | double crochet | DC in 4th ch from hk and in each ch across |
| dec | decrease(ing) | Dec at beg of next 4 rows |
| dtr | double treble | DTR in 6th ch from hk and in each ch across |
| hdc | half double crochet | HDC in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across |
| hk | hook | SC in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across |
| inc | increase | Inc at beg of next 4 rows |
| ins | insert | Ins hk in st 2 rows below |
| pat | pattern | Cont in pat until work measures 4" from beg |
| Reverse sc | reverse single crochet | Work one rnd of Reverse sc |
| rnd(s) | round(s) | Rnd 1: SC in each st |
| RS | right side | Row 1(RS): SC in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across |
| sc | single crochet | Rnd 2: Ch 1. SC in each st. |
| Sl st> | Slip stitch | Join with sl st to top of turning ch |
| sp(s) | space(s) | DC in ch-2 sp of prev row. |
| st(s) | stitch(es) | DC in next st |
| tr or tc | treble crochet | TR in next st (or TC in next st) |
| WS | wrong side | Row 1(WS): SC in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. |
| Yoh | yarn over the hook | Ins hk in next st, YOH and draw through |
