Loopy PandaUS vs UK Crochet Terms
US and UK patterns use the same stitch names for different stitches, shifted by one step. US single crochet (sc) is UK double crochet (dc), US half double (hdc) is UK half treble (htr), US double (dc) is UK treble (tr), and US treble (tr) is UK double treble (dtr). Chain and slip stitch are the same.
Stitch conversion chart
| US term | UK term | Chinese | Chart symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| chain (ch) | chain (ch) | 锁针 | oval |
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) | 引拔针 | dot |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) | 短针 | X or + |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) | 中长针 | T |
| double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) | 长针 | T with 1 slash |
| treble crochet (tr) | double treble (dtr) | 长长针 | T with 2 slashes |
| double treble (dtr) | triple treble (trtr) | 三卷长针 | T with 3 slashes |
| sc2tog / decrease | dc2tog | 短针减针 (A) | two X joined at the top |
Chart symbols do not change between US and UK patterns. If a pattern has a chart, the chart is the easiest way to be sure which stitch is meant. See how to read a crochet chart.
Other words that differ
| US | UK | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| skip | miss | do not work into the next stitch |
| yarn over (yo) | yarn over hook (yoh), yarn round hook (yrh) | wrap the yarn over the hook |
| gauge | tension | number of stitches and rows in a measured area |
| fasten off | fasten off | same in both |
| worsted (yarn) | aran (close equivalent) | weight 4 yarn |
| fingering (yarn) | 4-ply | weight 1 yarn |
How to tell if a pattern uses US or UK terms
- Look for single crochet. UK terms have no “single crochet”. If you see
sc, the pattern is in US terms. - Look for half treble.
htronly exists in UK terms, so it is a UK pattern. - Check the basics. An amigurumi pattern that starts with “6 dc in a magic ring” is almost certainly UK, because amigurumi is usually made in single crochet.
- Check the words. “Tension” and “miss” point to UK; “gauge” and “skip” point to US.
- Check the designer. The pattern notes or the designer's shop usually say which terms are used.
Chart symbols on this page
Frequently asked questions
Is UK double crochet the same as US single crochet?
Yes. UK double crochet (dc) and US single crochet (sc) are the same stitch: insert the hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
Why are US and UK crochet terms different?
They count different things. The UK name counts the loops on the hook after the first loop is pulled up (2 loops for a UK double crochet). The US name counts how many times you “yarn over, pull through 2” (once for a single crochet).
Which terms does this site use?
Loopy Panda uses US terms by default. When a UK term might cause confusion, we give it in brackets.
Are Australian crochet terms US or UK?
Australian and New Zealand patterns generally use UK terms. Check the pattern notes to be sure.
What terms do Chinese crochet patterns use?
Neither. They use Chinese stitch names or letter shorthand such as X for single crochet. See how to read Chinese crochet patterns.
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