Last Updated on August 20, 2022 by Cyprianne Nolan
If you’re a fan of crochet, you know that there are many different terms used to describe stitches, yarns, and other aspects of the craft. But what happens when you’re trying to follow a pattern from the UK and all the terminology is different?
Here’s a handy guide to some of the most common UK crochet terms and what they mean in US terms:
How do you convert UK crochet to US crochet?
If you’re a beginning crocheter, or if you’ve been crocheting for a while but mostly follow patterns written in the United States, you may have noticed that some British crochet patterns use different terminology than what you’re used to. Here’s a quick guide to translating some of the most common UK crochet terms into their US equivalents.
UK Double Crochet (dc) = US Single Crochet (sc)
UK Half Treble Crochet (htr) = US Half Double Crochet (hdc)
UK Treble Crochet (tr) = US Double Crochet (dc)
To convert UK crochet to US crochet, simply substitute the stitch indicated in the pattern with the corresponding stitch listed above. For example, if a pattern calls for double crochet stitches, you would use single crochet stitches instead.
Be sure to download a free copy of the US to UK Stitch Guide and keep with your crochet stash for easy use – or PIN to your favourite crochet board.
How to tell if a crochet pattern is written in US or UK crochet terms?
When reading a crochet pattern, it is important to be able to identify which set of crochet terms the pattern is written in. This is especially important when working with international patterns, as the terminology can vary greatly between countries. Here are some tips for how to tell if a crochet pattern is written in US or UK terms:
Look at the abbreviations used for the different stitches. In US patterns, common stitch abbreviations include “sc” for single crochet, “dc” for double crochet, and “tr” for treble/triple crochet. In UK patterns, these stitches would be abbreviated as “ss” (slip stitch), “dc” (double chain or crochet), and “tr” (treble chain or crochet).
Of course these suggestions are a starting point – the best way to know for sure about the terminology is to always ask the designer if you cannot find it indicated anywhere.
But, for now I hope this guide can help you get started on some awesome new patterns you have been waiting to try!
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