US vs UK Crochet Terminology

Many English-speaking crocheters (especially beginners) aren’t aware that there are actually two different crochet ‘languages’ out there: US Terminology vs UK Terminology.

Both US and UK terminology use the same basic crochet stitches – single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, and so on. However, the names given to these stitches differ between the two terminologies.

• US Terminology: Focuses on the number of loops left on your hook.
• UK Terminology: Focuses on the number of yarn overs.

This seemingly minor difference can lead to major confusion when following a pattern written in the terminology that isn’t ‘native’ to you. We see this happen all the time with amigurumi beginners. 

The vast majority of amigurumi patterns use US Single Crochet (sc) stitches. However, in UK terminology, the single crochet is called a double crochet. 

Confusing?! Yes! 

Any crocheter knows that there is a big difference between a US single crochet and double crochet, and it’s going to completely change the look of a pattern if you confuse the two.

Here are some clues to help you identify which terminology a pattern uses:

• Look for “single crochet”: If you see “single crochet,” the pattern uses US terms.
• Amigurumi: If you’re making amigurumi, the vast majority of the stitches will be US “sc”. If you see “dc”, the pattern is likely written in UK terminology. 
• Abbreviations: US terms often use “sc,” “hdc,” “tr,” while UK terms use “dc,” “htr,” “dbl tr.”
• Gauge: US patterns typically refer to gauge in terms of stitches and rows per inch, while UK patterns might use centimetres (this one is a bit trickier as it’s up to the preference of the pattern designer).

If you find a pattern in the terminology you don’t know, don’t worry!

Here are some tips to help you translate:

• Conversion charts: Many online resources offer conversion charts that translate stitch names between US and UK terms (like the one above).
• Learn both: Familiarising yourself with both terminologies will give you access to a wider range of crochet patterns. It’s not hard to learn both after you’ve practiced different patterns. 
• Pay attention to stitch descriptions: The stitch descriptions (in the pattern Abbreviations) can often provide clues regardless of the terminology used.

Tip: Keep in mind that creators outside of the UK in countries like Australia and New Zealand may also use UK terminology as it was available in written patterns before the internet. 

All of our patterns use US Terminology.