UK vs US crochet terminology

Crafting is a universal language; all crafters speak creativity and passion but are as unique and diverse as they come. Crochet is the art of transforming yarn with crochet hooks into garments, accessories, home décor and other wonders. While all crocheters share hooks and yarn in common, there are a lot of differences in crochet terms or abbreviations for the stitches in different parts of the world. Generally, there are two standards- UK and US. The crochet world follows either of the two, so whenever you need to navigate a crochet pattern, you must understand the differences between them to work it out confidently. To assist you with understanding crochet terminology, we'll discuss UK and US crochet terms in this blog.

What is the difference between UK and US crochet terms?

Crochet is the same in the UK, USA, and even the rest of the world. You need yarn and a crochet hook and make loops known as crochet stitches. But, unfortunately, that's not the case with crochet terms. Both UK and US terminologies use the same stitch names, such as double crochets and trebles, but they indicate different stitches! A UK double crochet is a US single crochet, while a US treble is a UK double treble. Confusing? It can be. It seems chaotic to use different names for the same thing. So, understanding the differences is essential, or else you will end up with projects entirely different from what you wanted. It would make it frustrating to follow a pattern's instructions as you will have different numbers of loops, resulting in mismatched stitches.

To make it easy to remember, note the difference between these sets of crochet terminology. The UK terminology of crochet stitches refers to the number of loops on your hook, while the US terminology refers to the number of yarnovers when pulling up your first loop.

For example, a US single crochet (UK double) has a single yarn over (hence, single in US terms) but two (double) loops on the hook after pulling up a loop from the stitch. A US double crochet (UK treble crochet) has two yarn over after inserting it into the stitch but has three loops on the hook after pulling up a loop (hence, treble in UK crochet terms). The differences in term abbreviations are limited only to regular or traditional crocheting. The world is undivided in terms of the unique Tunisian crochet. The stitch names are the same all over the world. Even for knitting, the knit and purl stitch is same anywhere in the world as are knitting techniques.

While the move of crochet patterns from only magazine editions to easily available everywhere on the internet is a good move, it has also raised questions and confusion. Most crochet patterns may clearly indicate whether they use British or US crochet terminology, but chances are some free patterns may not. Plus, crocheters themselves skip out on checking the origin in the excitement of finding an exciting design. So, you need to be ready to convert a pattern into crochet terms you understand.

Crochet terms conversion chart

For all basic stitches in UK crochet terminology, here are the US stitches right beside them. This way, you can convert the stitch terms according to the pattern on hand.

The crochet terms in the table also extend to stitch instructions likes scrochet increases and decreases. Say, for example, the UK pattern will mention 'dc2tog' while US pattern will use 'sc2tog' but, both of them will refer to a decrease. Similarly, for an increase you will have to convert the stitch pattern accordingly.

How to know if a pattern is written in US crochet terms or UK crochet terms?

Most crochet pattern designers specify whether it's written in US or UK terms. This information is a general description, stitch abbreviations, or pattern notes. If on rare chance, it is not mentioned, here’s what you can do:

1. ​Check the written pattern especially the notes section thoroughly.
2. Read the stitch names. If there's a single crochet (SC) in the pattern list you're looking at a US pattern as the stitch only exists in US terminology, and not in UK terminology. Similarly, with a half treble crochet (HTR), you know it UK pattern as there is no such stitch in UK terminology, in US terms it's a half double crochet (HDC).
3. Look up the crochet chart and compare this with the stitch description.
4. Check other terminology besides the stitches such as 'gauge' referred in UK terminology, while 'tension' is used in the US. Similarly, UK patterns use 'miss a stitch' instead of the US equivalent 'skip a stitch'.
5. Check the location of the pattern author. Australian patterns normally use UK terminology, just like UK crochet patterns whereas American authors normally use US crochet terms for their patterns while South Africa uses both sets of terms.

Now, that you understand the differences between UK and US terms, work on a crocheting a granny square.

Regardless of what crochet pattern you follow and the crochet abbreviations written in UK or US terms, the secret to crafting comfort is high-quality crochet tools and accessories. KnitPro offers a wide range of crochet hook sets and hooks in individual sizes. In crochet hook types, you get single-ended crochet hooks in standard sizes, double-ended crochet hooks with two different sizes on either end, and the specialty Tunisian crochet. An innovative KnitPro offering is the Oasis interchangeable crochet hooks. Here you get the standard crochet hooks with a threading connection on a smooth wooden handle with grooves that have a comfortable grip. The hooks can be changed according to the project’s needs. So, from a 2mm to a 12mm hook you have a hook that tackles them all. In materials, you have birchwood in radiant shades and unique chevron patterns such as Symfonie and Dreamz along with the warm earthy tone of Ginger, beginner-friendly bamboo, smooth aluminium such as Zing, stainless steel, and ergonomic rubber handles of the Waves and the very innovative Oasis interchangeable crochet hooks.