US and UK crochet stitch names
The two naming systems side by side, with the conversion rule and the stitches that change name.
US and UK names for the same stitch
British and American patterns use the same words for different stitches, and that is the whole reason a “double crochet” can mean two different things. The crochet itself is identical between the two traditions; only the names shift by one step.
| American (US) |
British (UK) |
Height |
| Slip stitch — sl st |
Slip stitch — ss |
Flat |
| Single crochet — sc |
Double crochet — dc |
Shortest true stitch |
| Half double crochet — hdc |
Half treble — htr |
One step taller than sc |
| Double crochet — dc |
Treble — tr |
Two steps taller than sc |
| Treble crochet — tr |
Double treble — dtr |
Three steps taller than sc |
| Double treble — dtr |
Triple treble — trtr |
Four steps taller than sc |
How to tell which system a pattern uses
- Look at the abbreviation set. hdc and sc only appear in US notation; htr, dtr and trtr only appear in UK notation. One abbreviation usually settles the whole pattern.
- Look for an explicit note. Careful patterns say “US terms” or “UK terms” near the materials list, often in capitals. If a pattern says nothing at all, treat that as a warning rather than a style choice.
- Count the yarn-overs in the stitch description. Yarn over once, then work off two loops at a time until one loop remains: that is a US dc, which is a UK tr. The mechanics identify the stitch; the name only labels it.
- Check the turning chain against the stated stitch. A pattern that opens rows with chain 3 is working at double-crochet height, whichever alphabet it uses.
Translating without changing the fabric
Swap the names, not the stitches. A US double crochet is a UK treble, so a US pattern read in UK terms is worked exactly as written, one word different. The mistake to avoid is translating and substituting, which produces a piece one step shorter or taller than the designer intended and explains a lot of finished objects that do not match their stated size.
The practical rule
If a pattern is ambiguous, work a two-row swatch in the stitch you believe it means and compare the height to the pictures or the stated gauge. The wrong reading is obvious within two rows, which is far cheaper than discovering it at the shoulder seam. Each stitch in the stitch dictionary lists both names, its chart symbol and the multiple it needs.