US vs UK crochet terms
US and UK crochet patterns describe the same stitches with different names, and some names exist in both systems for different stitches. A “double crochet” in a UK pattern is a shorter stitch than a “double crochet” in a US pattern. If you work a pattern in the wrong system, every stitch comes out one size taller or shorter, and the piece won’t match the photos.
Stitch names
| US (and Canada) | UK |
|---|---|
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) |
| double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) |
| treble (tr) | double treble (dtr) |
| double treble (dtr) | triple treble (trtr) |
The pattern is simple: from single crochet up, each UK name is one step “taller” than the US name for the same stitch.
Other words
| US | UK (and Canada) |
|---|---|
| gauge | tension |
| yarn over (yo) | yarn over hook (yoh) |
How to tell which terms a pattern uses
- Check the pattern notes. Many patterns say “written in US terms” or “UK terms” near the top.
- Look for single crochet. UK patterns don’t have a single crochet. If you see “sc”, the pattern is in US terms.
- Look for UK-only names. Half treble (htr), triple treble (trtr), yarn over hook (yoh) and “tension” point to UK terms.
- Be careful with “dc” and “tr”. Both systems use them, for different stitches, so they don’t tell you anything on their own.
When you convert a pattern, the stitch counts stay the same; only the names change. The increase and decrease instructions from the increase and decrease evenly calculator use US single crochet (sc). In UK terms, read them as double crochet (dc).
Questions
Is a UK double crochet the same as a US double crochet?
No. A UK double crochet (dc) is a US single crochet (sc). A US double crochet is a UK treble (tr).
Does Canada use US or UK crochet terms?
According to the Craft Yarn Council, Canada uses the US stitch names, but the UK words "tension" for gauge and "yarn over hook" for yarn over.
How can I tell if a pattern uses UK terms?
Look for single crochet (sc). UK patterns don't use it, so a pattern with sc is written in US terms. Half treble (htr) or yarn over hook (yoh) point to UK terms.
Sources
- Craft Yarn Council, Crochet Abbreviations, term differences between the US, UK and Canada: every term pair on this page. Source: Craft Yarn Council's www.YarnStandards.com
Related
- Crochet hook size chart
Regular crochet hooks in millimeters and US letter sizes.
- Yarn weight chart
Weights 0 to 7 with typical gauge, needle sizes and hook sizes.
- Increase and decrease evenly calculator
Spread increases or decreases across a row or round and get the written instructions.