Crochet Stitch Library

I’ve wanted to create a library of the crochet stitches I use in my pattern designs for a while.  And I’ve finally found some time to get started!

My aim for this crochet stitch library is to share how a stitch is worked and link to my pattern that uses the stitch.  It serves as a handy reference guide (for you and me!).  You might find a new stitch to try and I’m hoping you’ll find inspiration for when you want to come up with your own design or to modify an existing pattern.

My list of stitches has grown so much I have split the library into two parts. This part brings together the basic stitches used in most crochet patterns. These are the core stitches you’ll see again and again — perfect if you’re learning to crochet, brushing up on technique, or following one of my patterns. Looking for more textured or decorative stitches? You’ll find those in my Advanced Crochet Stitch Library.

I’ve included both UK crochet terms and US, along with the abbreviations.  When one of my designs uses a combination of stitches, I’ve only linked the pattern to one stitch. I’ve included a photo of the stitch too.

Some stitches have different ways of working them.  I am including the ways I have worked with them in this library.  

The way I’ve set it out is working through the different stitch heights starting with the shortest and working up to the tallest height.

I’ve included a section at the end for abbreviations that are commonly found in crochet patterns and which I use.

I’ll update this library when I use a new stitch or design a new pattern with an existing crochet stitch.

Ready for texture? Explore Advanced Crochet Stitches

If you’re looking for a specfic stitch, use the drop down box below to go directly to more information about that stitch.

Alternatively you can save a copy of this directory to your device, just look for the print friendly button.

Is there a stitch you would like me to use in future designs?  Please let me know!

Do you have a problem matching your personal stitch gauge to a pattern gauge? I have the perfect tool for you, the stitch gauge converter. Give it a try!

For my UK crocheters, the table below is a conversion of basic crochet stitches from US to UK.

Crochet Stitch Library

Slip Stitch (sl st)

Insert the hook under the top loops of the next stitch, yarn over, pull the yarn through the stitch and loop on hook to draw up a loop. One loop left on hook.

Often used to re-join yarn, to finish off a project or to add a ribbed edging

Hexagon Cardigan Ocean Hues

Surface Slip Stitch

You can add surface slip stitches to all kinds of projects — they’re perfect for adding detail or even joining squares, and they’re easy to do!

Hold your yarn at the back of your work.

Insert your hook through the crochet fabric at the first chain space, catch the yarn from the back, and pull up a loop (one loop on hook).

Insert your hook into the next chain space, catch the yarn again, and pull through both the fabric and the loop on your hook.

One surface slip stitch made.

Lennox Book Cover

UK Double Crochet (dc)

US Single Crochet (sc)

Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through the loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 2 loops on hook

Often patterns use in combination with other stitches

UK Double Crochet Back Loop Only (dcblo)

US Single Crochet Back Loop Only (scblo)

There are two loops at the top of a stitch. A front loop and a back loop. This resembles a ‘V.’

The back loop is the furthest loop away from you.

To work a single crochet into the back loop, insert hook into the loop furthest away from you , yarn over and pull through the loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 2 loops on hook.

Patchwork Sweater

UK Double Crochet 2 Together (dc2tog)

US Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through a loop. Insert hook into next stitch and pull through a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook

Used for decreasing.

Elise Tank Top

UK Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)

US Front Post Single Crochet (fpsc)

Worked around the post of the double crochet from the previous row or round.

Insert hook from front to back (to the right of the stitch to be worked and out again on the left), yarn over and pull through.  2 loops on hook.  Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.  Stitch made.

See pattern below

UK Half treble crochet (htc)  

US Half double crochet (hdc)

Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

Heart Tote Bag

UK Wide Half Treble Crochet (whtc)

US Wide Half Double Crochet (whdc)

Yarn over, insert hook into the space between the stitches of the previous row, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

Winter Nights Blanket

Brambleberry Hooded Pocket Scarf

UK Crossed Half Treble Crochet (Xht)

US Crossed Half Double Crochet (Xhd)

Skip a stitch, 1 half treble / 1 half double into next stitch, 1 half treble / 1 half double into skipped stitch working in front of the stitch just made

Canterbury Edition Tote Bag

UK Crossed Half Treble Crochet Back Loop Only (Xht blo)

US Crossed Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only (Xhd blo)

UK: Skip a stitch, 1 half treble into the back loop of the next stitch, 1 half treble into the back loop of the skipped stitch working in front of the stitch just made

US: Skip a stitch, 1 half double into the back loop of the next stitch, 1 half double into the back loop of the skipped stitch working in front of the stitch just made

Sierra Nevada Scarf

UK Half treble crochet 2 together  (htr2tog)

US half double crochet 2 together (hdc2tog)

Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch.  There are 3 loops on the hook.  Yarn over, insert hook into the second stitch, yarn over and pull through the loop.  There are 4 loops on the hook.  Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook.

Heart Pillow

UK Treble Crochet (tr)

US Double Crochet (dc)

Yarn over, insert your hook into stitch or space, yarn over, pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 remaining loops

Mystic Garden Sweater

Daisy Rectangular Shawl

Beach Bloom Coverup

Evie Cardigan

Coastal Breeze Pullover

UK Stacked Treble Crochet (stacked tr)

US Stacked Double Crochet (stacked dc)

Do not chain any stitches at the end or beginning of the row (turning chain).  Insert your hook into the very first stitch in the row.  Yarn over, pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through to complete what is a UK double/ US single crochet stitch.  Insert hook in second loop of the two loops that are under your hook, yarn over, pull up a loop so that there are two loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through to complete.

Striped Cardigan Pattern

Selene Sweater

UK Crossed Treble (Xtr)

US Crossed Double (Xdc)

Skip a stitch, 1tr/1dc into next stitch, 1tr/1dc into skipped stitch working in front of the tr/dc just made

Lauren Triangle Shawl

Peek-a-Boo Bunny Blanket

Easy Crochet Bucket Hat

Cotton Candy Poncho

Elodie Pullover Sweater

Lilienne Poncho

crossed stitches in the Lilienne Poncho adding texture without complicating the pattern

UK / US Back Loop Only (blo)

Instead of working through both loops of the stitch of the row below as usual, the stitches are worked into the back loop only, leaving the front loop unworked.

Front Loop Only (flo)

Instead of working through both loops of the stitch of the row below as usual, the stitches are worked into the front loop only, leaving the back loop unworked.

Cocoon Cardigan

UK Treble 2 Together (tr2tog)

US Double 2 Together (dc2tog)

Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through (4 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook

Summer Tank Top

Cosmos Hot Water Bottle Cover

UK Treble 3 Together (tr3tog)

US Double 3 Together (dc3tog)

Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through loop, 3 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.  Repeat 2 more times.  Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Whispering Rose Summer Top

UK Back Post Treble Crochet (bptr)

US Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)

Yarn over, insert hook from the back between the stitches (to the right of the stitch to be worked) and out to the back to the left of the stitch, yarn over, pull through (the loop will be behind the work), complete the treble in the usual way (yarn over, pull through first 2 loops, yarn over, pull through the remaining 2 loops)

Ombre Infinity Scarf

UK Double Treble (dtr)

US Treble Crochet (tr)

Yarn over twice, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook

Summer Nights Scarf

Oasis Wave Wrap

Georgiana Shawl

UK Triple Treble Crochet Crossed (ttrX)

US Double Treble Crossed (dtrX)

Skip a stitch, work 1 triple treble crochet in the next stitch. Then work 1 triple treble crochet in the stitch that you skipped. By working the triple treble crochet in front of the first triple treble crochet stitch you complete the stitch.

See Picot for Pattern

Granny Stitch

US

Row 1: 3dc in 7th ch from hook, *ch1, sk 3 chs, 3dc in next ch, *rep to last 3 chs, ch1, sk 2 chs, dc in last ch, ch3, turn

Row 2: 2dc in first ch-sp, *ch1, sk 3 sts, 3dc in next ch-sp, * rep to last ch-sp, 2dc in last ch-sp, dc in last st, ch4, turn

Row 3: *sk 3 sts, 3dc in next ch-sp, ch1, *rep to last 3 sts, sk 2 sts, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Rows 2 and 3 form granny stitch pattern

Granny Square Christmas Tree

Hooded Cardigan

Granny Square Cardigan

Princess of Diamonds Lap Blanket

Countess of Diamonds Shrug

Queen of Diamonds Poncho

Rainbow Tote Bag

Arabella Geometric Scarf

Alice Cardigan

Hexagon Cardigan (with pockets)

Evelyn Long Cardigan

Clover Lane Sweater

Granny Spike Stitch

US crochet terms

Special stitches:

Long Double Crochet (LDC) – similar to the granny stitch but the middle stitch of the 3 double crochets is worked into the row below.  In this pattern, the middle stitch is called a Long Double Crochet (LDC).

Row 1:  dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 chs, [ch1, sk next ch, dc in next 3 chs] across to last 5 chs, ch1, sk next ch, dc in last 4 chs, ch4, turn

Row 2:  sk next 3 dc, [dc in next ch1-sp, LDC in sk ch, dc in ch1-sp, ch1] across to last 4 sts, sk next 3 sts, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Row 3:  [dc in ch1-sp, LDC in centre dc in row below ch-sp, dc in ch1-sp, ch1] across to last ch1-sp, dc in ch1-sp, LDC in centre dc in row below, dc in ch1-sp, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch-4, ch4, turn

Row 4:  sk next 3 sts, [dc in next ch1-sp, LDC in LDC below ch-sp, dc in ch1-sp, ch1] across to last 4 sts, sk next 3 sts, dc in top of beg ch-3, turn

Rows 3 and 4 form the pattern

Faith Sweater Vest

Cochinelle Pocket Shawl

Lavender Fields Poncho

Sunset Casade Sweater Vest

Knit-Look (using slip stitch and half double crochet)

(US Terms)

Row 1 (RS): sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn

Row 2: sc in 1^st st, sl st in ea st to last st, sc in last st, ch2, turn

Row 3: hdc in 1^st st, hdc in ea sl st to last st, hdc in last st, ch1, turn

Rows 2 and 3 form pattern

Glen Scarf

Conversion from US stitches to UK

For my UK crocheters, the table below is a conversion of basic crochet stitches from US to UK.

Common Abbreviations in Crochet

I thought it would be helpful to also share a list of common abbreviations I use in my patterns.

I’ve listed them in alphabetical order.

Have I left any off?

I hope this comprehensive crochet stitch library and abbreviations serve as an invaluable resource.

Happy crocheting!