US vs. UK Crochet Terms
So, you’re a new crocheter, making sense of the sea of crochet abbreviations, when you get an unexpected surprise. Some crochet patterns are written in US terms and some are written in UK terms. Seriously? Well, yes, but I can help you quickly adapt no matter which terms you come across, and soon you’ll be easily comparing US vs. UK crochet terms.
Theories vary about when and how US and UK crochet terms diverged, but it likely began with population migration. As people moved from the UK and Ireland to the US, they brought their crochet skills with them. Crochet terms changed over time as they were passed down from one crocheter to the next. Thus, the separation between US and UK lingo began.
Since we’re now able to easily share patterns with other crocheters across the globe, it’s good to know what’s what. Let’s dive into these differences so you can easily try any pattern you’d like.
Is This Really a Big Deal?
When I was a new crocheter, I didn’t really want to be bothered with learning to convert US to UK crochet terms or vice versa. It seemed like a hassle. But if you’re trying to follow another designer’s pattern, it really does matter.
You want to make sure that the stitch you’re working is the same stitch the pattern writer intended to communicate to you. If not, you probably won’t be very happy with the result.
How Do I Know Which Terms a Pattern Uses?
It isn’t always obvious which terms a crochet pattern uses. Often, if you’re purchasing a pattern, the designer will let you know up front in the pattern description whether it uses US or UK terms. Once you download the pattern and open it up, you may also find this information in the pattern notes.
If you don’t see the terms noted anywhere, don’t worry. You can still find some clues in the pattern. First, “single crochet” doesn’t exist in UK terms, so if you see it (or its abbreviation “sc”), you’re reading a pattern with US terms. Similarly, if you see a pattern use “treble” or “miss”, these are UK terms. And if you’re still unsure, it never hurts to get in touch with the pattern designer and ask.
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Converting Crochet Terms
Depending on where you’re from, your perspective on converting crochet terms will either be from US to UK, or from UK to US. Of course we’re talking about the same thing either way, but since I’m from the US, the chart below is written with US terms first.
US vs. UK Crochet Terms
| US Term | Equivalent UK Term |
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| chain (ch) | chain (ch) |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble crochet (htr) |
| double crochet (dc) | treble crochet (tr) |
| triple crochet (tr) | double treble crochet (dtr) |
| double triple crochet (dtr) | triple treble crochet (trtr) |
| single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) | double crochet 2 together (dc2tog) |
| half double crochet 2 together (hdc2tog) | half treble crochet 2 together (htr2tog) |
| double crochet 2 together (dc2tog) | treble crochet 2 together (tr2tog) |
| triple crochet 2 together (tr2tog) | double treble crochet 2 together (dc2tog) |
| skip | miss |
| yarn over (yo) | yarn over hook (yoh) |
| gauge | tension |
Need a way to keep this info handy? I’ve got a printable bookmark for you with the most common crochet stitches in both US and UK terms. Just download the PDF below, print it, and you’ll always have it as a reference when you need it. You can even use self-adhesive laminating sheets (like these) to keep your bookmark in good shape.
US to UK Crochet Terms – Printable Bookmark
Additional Differences
When it comes to our shared hobby, there are a couple more differences between the US and the UK to keep in mind. Both of these differences deal with measurement.
First, yarn in the US is usually weighed in ounces whereas yarn in the UK is usually weighed in grams. Luckily, plenty of yarn companies provide the weight in both ounces and grams. You can find more information about yarn labels here if you’d like to learn more.
Second, crochet hooks made in the US are typically sized using a lettering and numbering system, and may or may not include the metric measurement of the hook. UK hooks are sized and labeled with just the metric measurement.
The chart below compares hook sizing.
US to UK Hook Sizes
| US Hook Sizing | UK Hook Sizing |
| B-1 | 2.25 mm |
| 2.50 mm | |
| C-2 | 2.75 mm |
| D | 3.125 mm |
| D-3 | 3.25 mm |
| E-4 | 3.50 mm |
| F-5 | 3.75 mm |
| G-6 | 4 mm |
| G | 4.25 mm |
| 7 | 4.50 mm |
| H-8 | 5 mm |
| I | 5.25 mm |
| I-9 | 5.50 mm |
| J | 5.75 mm |
| J-10 | 6 mm |
| K-10.5 | 6.50 mm |
| 7 mm | |
| L-11 | 8 mm |
| M/N-13 | 9 mm |
| N/P-15 | 10 mm |
| P-16 | 11.50 mm |
| 12 mm | |
| P/Q | 15 mm |
| Q | 15.75 mm |
| Q | 16 mm |
| S | 19 mm |
| T/U/X | 25 mm |
| T/X | 30 mm |
I hope this was helpful in learning about some differences you’ll come across as you crochet. Make sure and print your bookmark of US vs. UK crochet terms, too. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or insights. Happy crocheting!
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All rights reserved. Designed and written by Jennifer Percival. This pattern is property of Crochet to Play. The written pattern and images are for personal use only. Please do not redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern or images, in part or in whole. Thank you.
