Found a pattern you love, but the stitch names don't match what you learned? You're not alone. Crochet uses two naming systems, US and UK, and the same name can mean different stitches. All WacommPatterns patterns are written in US terms, so here's a quick chart to translate.
US to UK crochet terms chart
| US term | UK term |
|---|---|
| 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 crochet (tr) | Double treble (dtr) |
| Double treble (dtr) | Triple treble (trtr) |
| Skip | Miss |
| Gauge | Tension |
| Yarn over (yo) | Yarn over hook (yoh) |
Save or pin this chart so it is handy the next time you pick up a pattern.
How to tell which terms a pattern uses
- Look for "single crochet". The UK system has no single crochet, so if you see "sc", the pattern is in US terms.
- Check the designer's location or notes. Most patterns say near the top which terms they use.
- Watch the first few rows. If your fabric looks much taller and looser than the photo, you may be working UK stitches in a US pattern (or the other way round).
An easy way to remember
A UK stitch name is always one step "taller" than the US name for the same stitch. US single crochet = UK double crochet, US double crochet = UK treble, and so on.
Practice with a free pattern
Want to try US terms on a small, quick project? Our free patterns are a great place to start, and our beginner-friendly patterns only use basic stitches.
Our free Lavender Stem pattern uses a magic ring, chains, single and half double crochet, so it is a nice way to practice US terms.