Crochet Abbreviations, Decoded
Paste any crochet pattern and read it in plain English — every abbreviation expanded, US and UK differences flagged.
Free and unlimited — everything runs in your browser, your pattern never leaves your device. 🔒
Crochet patterns are written in a dense shorthand that assumes you already speak the language. When you don't — or when a vintage pattern throws an odd term at you — every row becomes a lookup session. This decoder expands the abbreviations for you: paste the text, get the same instructions back in plain English.
It covers the standard US abbreviation set (sc, hdc, dc, tr, inc, dec, BLO, FLO, front/back post stitches and more) and flags where UK patterns mean something different — a UK "dc" is a US "sc", which ruins projects when missed. Anything the decoder doesn't recognize is called out so you can check the pattern's own glossary.
What you get
60+ abbreviations covered
All the standard US terms: stitches, decreases, loops, posts, repeats, and finishing instructions — expanded in place.
US vs UK differences flagged
Terms that mean different things in the two systems (like dc and tr) show both meanings, so a UK pattern can't trip you up.
Unknown terms called out
Pattern-specific shorthand the decoder doesn't know is listed separately instead of silently skipped.
Runs entirely in your browser
Your pattern text never leaves your device. No account, no upload, no daily limit.
Works on partial patterns
Paste a single confusing row or the whole pattern — the decoder handles both.
Free and unlimited
No daily caps. Decode as many patterns as you like, as often as you like.
How to read a crochet pattern
Paste the pattern text
Copy the row or section you don't understand — or the whole pattern — into the box above.
Read the plain-English version
Every abbreviation is expanded in place: "6 sc in mr" becomes "6 single crochet in magic ring (adjustable ring)".
Check the flagged terms
Review the abbreviation list (including US/UK differences) and anything marked as unrecognized — those are defined by the pattern itself.
Decoder vs. looking up terms one by one
| Pattern decoder | Manual lookup | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading a dense row | Whole row translated at once, in context | Search each abbreviation separately, lose your place |
| US/UK confusion | Both meanings shown where they differ | You find out after the third wrong row |
| Unknown shorthand | Flagged explicitly so you know to check the glossary | Easy to assume a wrong meaning |
| Cost and limits | Free, unlimited, no account | Free but slow — and your place in the pattern is lost |
Frequently asked questions
What do the most common crochet abbreviations mean?
ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, sl st = slip stitch, st(s) = stitch(es), yo = yarn over, inc = increase, dec = decrease, tog = together, rep = repeat, RS/WS = right side / wrong side. Paste any pattern into the decoder above to see them expanded in context.
What is the difference between US and UK crochet terms?
The same words mean different stitches. A UK double crochet (dc) is a US single crochet (sc); a UK treble (tr) is a US double crochet (dc); a UK half treble (htr) is a US half double crochet (hdc). Always check which system a pattern uses — the decoder flags terms where the two systems diverge.
What does sc2tog mean in crochet?
sc2tog means "single crochet 2 together" — a decrease that turns two stitches into one. You insert the hook into the first stitch and pull up a loop, then into the next stitch and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
What does BLO (or FLO) mean in a crochet pattern?
BLO = back loop only, FLO = front loop only. Instead of inserting the hook under both loops at the top of the stitch, you work into just the back (or front) loop. It creates a ridged texture and is common in ribbing and amigurumi.
How do I read crochet pattern parentheses and brackets?
Parentheses ( ) usually group stitches worked into the same stitch or space, or show the stitch count at the end of a row. Brackets [ ] or asterisks * mark a sequence to repeat. For example, "*2 dc, ch 1* rep around" means repeat the bracketed sequence for the whole round.
Is this crochet abbreviation decoder free?
Yes — free and unlimited, with no account. It runs entirely in your browser, so your pattern text is never uploaded anywhere.