US vs UK Crochet Terms: Free Conversion Chart

You found a beautiful pattern, picked your yarn, started the first row… and something looks wrong. The stitches are too tall, the fabric is too loose, and the stitch count never matches. Nine times out of ten, the problem is not you: the pattern is written in UK crochet terms and you are reading it as US terms (or the other way around).

The two systems use the same names for different stitches. A "double crochet" in a UK pattern is a "single crochet" in a US pattern. Once you know the trick, converting takes seconds, and this page gives you the full chart.

All the patterns on this blog are written in US terms, so you can keep this chart open beside any of them — and if you like to crochet from paper, you'll find ad-free, printable PDF patterns in my Etsy shop.

Why US and UK Terms Are Different

The difference comes from how each system counts. In US terms, a stitch is named after the number of loops you pull through at the end of the first step. In UK terms, it is named after the number of loops on your hook after you pull up the first loop.

So the smallest everyday stitch is a "single" in the US and a "double" in the UK — and every stitch after it shifts up one name. That single shift explains the whole chart below.

US to UK Crochet Terms Chart

US term	US abbreviation	UK term	UK abbreviation
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
treble crochet	tr	double treble crochet	dtr
double treble crochet	dtr	triple treble crochet	trtr
single crochet 2 together	sc2tog	double crochet 2 together	dc2tog
double crochet 2 together	dc2tog	treble crochet 2 together	tr2tog
skip	sk	miss	—
yarn over	yo	yarn round hook	yrh
gauge	—	tension	—
fasten off	FO	fasten off	—

The trap is clear: "dc" means a different stitch in each system. In a US pattern, dc is a tall stitch with one yarn over. In a UK pattern, dc is the short stitch Americans call single crochet.

Tip: Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest so the chart is with you every time you open a new pattern.

How to Tell Which Terms a Pattern Uses

Most good patterns say "US terms" or "UK terms" near the top. When they don't, look for these clues:

• Single crochet (sc) appears anywhere → US terms. UK crochet has no stitch called single crochet.
• Half treble (htr), "tension" or "miss" appear → UK terms.
• The designer's location. A designer in the US or Canada almost always writes in US terms; in the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, usually UK terms.
• The first round of a circle. A US amigurumi pattern often starts with "6 sc in a magic ring". A UK one says "6 dc in a magic ring" for exactly the same thing.

If you are still unsure, crochet a small swatch both ways and compare it to the photo. The right version will match.

Converting a Pattern Step by Step

You don't need to rewrite the whole pattern. Do this instead:

1. Highlight every stitch name in the pattern with a marker.
2. Write the converted name above it using the chart, starting with the most common stitch.
3. Leave chains and slip stitches alone — they are the same in both systems.
4. Check the stitch count at the end of the first row. If it matches the pattern, your conversion is right.

For a quick practice, try my free pumpkin coaster pattern: it is short, written in US terms, and uses only a few basic stitches.

Yarn Weights: US vs UK Names

Yarn names are different too. The equivalents below are approximate, because brands vary — always check the yardage and the recommended hook on the label.

US name	Weight number	Closest UK / AU name
Lace	0	1-ply / 2-ply
Fingering	1	4-ply
Sport	2	5-ply (closest; less common)
DK / light worsted	3	DK (8-ply)
Worsted	4	Aran (10-ply), slightly thicker
Bulky	5	Chunky (12-ply)
Super bulky	6	Super chunky

The weight number (0 to 7) is printed on most labels and is the same everywhere, so it is the safest way to compare. You can find the matching hook for each weight in my crochet hook sizes chart.

Hook Sizes Are Different Too

US hooks use letters and numbers (H-8, J-10), while older UK hooks use a numbering system that goes down as the hook gets bigger. Today most hooks also print the size in millimeters, and that is the number to trust. The full conversion is in the hook sizes chart.

Ready for Your Next Project?

Now that you can read both systems, every pattern is open to you. If you'd like a pattern you can print and keep beside you while you work, you'll find ad-free PDF versions of my patterns in my Etsy shop. Every purchase also helps me keep publishing free patterns here.

New to reading patterns? My guide on how to read a crochet pattern walks through abbreviations, repeats and stitch counts one by one.