UK vs US crochet Terminology: The Complete Guide

In short, UK and US crochet patterns use the same stitch names but assign them to completely different stitches. A UK double crochet is a US single crochet. A UK treble is a US double crochet. If you follow a pattern without knowing which system it uses, your project will not turn out the way you expected.

Crafting is a universal language; all crafters speak creativity and passion but are as unique and diverse as they come. Crochet is the art of transforming yarn with crochet hooks into garments, accessories, home décor and other wonders. While all crocheters share hooks and yarn in common, there are a lot of differences in crochet terms or abbreviations for the stitches in different parts of the world. Two major terminology systems exist: UK and US. Most published crochet patterns follow one or the other, and navigating between them confidently is one of the most practical skills any crocheter can develop.

This guide explains the difference between British and American crochet terminology, gives you a complete UK to US crochet conversion chart, and shows you exactly how to identify which system a pattern is using before you begin.

What is the Difference Between UK and US Crochet Terms?

Crochet is the same in the UK, USA, and even the rest of the world. You need yarn and a crochet hook and make loops known as crochet stitches. But, unfortunately, that's not the case with crochet terms. Both UK and US terminologies use the same stitch names, such as double crochets and trebles, but they indicate different stitches! A UK double crochet is a US single crochet, while a US treble is a UK double treble. Confusing? It can be. It seems chaotic to use different names for the same thing. So, understanding the differences is essential, or else you will end up with projects entirely different from what you wanted. It would make it frustrating to follow a pattern's instructions as you will have different numbers of loops, resulting in mismatched stitches.

To make it easy to remember, note the difference between these sets of crochet terminology. The UK terminology of crochet stitches refers to the number of loops on your hook, while the US terminology refers to the number of yarnovers when pulling up your first loop.

For example, a US single crochet (UK double) has a single yarn over (hence, single in US terms) but two (double) loops on the hook after pulling up a loop from the stitch. A US double crochet (UK treble crochet) has two yarn over after inserting it into the stitch but has three loops on the hook after pulling up a loop (hence, treble in UK crochet terms).

The differences in term abbreviations are limited only to regular or traditional crocheting. The world is undivided in terms of the unique Tunisian crochet. The stitch names are the same all over the world. Even for knitting, the knit and purl stitch is same anywhere in the world as are knitting techniques.

While the move of crochet patterns from only magazine editions to easily available everywhere on the internet is a good move, it has also raised questions and confusion. Most crochet patterns may clearly indicate whether they use British or US crochet terminology, but chances are, some free patterns may not. Plus, crocheters themselves skip out on checking the origin in the excitement of finding an exciting design. So, you need to be ready to convert a pattern into crochet terms you understand.

Crochet Terms Conversion Chart

For all basic stitches in UK crochet terminology, here are the US stitches right beside them. This way, you can convert the stitch terms according to the pattern on hand.

 
The crochet terms in the table also extend to stitch instructions like crochet increases and decreases. For example, the UK pattern will mention 'dc2tog' while the US pattern will use 'sc2tog' but both of them will refer to a decrease. Similarly, for an increase you will have to convert the stitch pattern accordingly.

UK vs US Crochet Abbreviations: a Quick Reference

Beyond the core stitch names, a number of abbreviations shift between the two systems. The most commonly confused ones are:

UK "dc" means double crochet in UK terms, which is a US single crochet. US "dc" means double crochet in US terms, which is a UK treble. The same two-letter abbreviation means two different stitches in two different systems. This is the source of most pattern conversion errors.

UK patterns use "tension" where US patterns use "gauge" both describe the same measurement: the number of stitches and rows per 10cm or 4 inches that your yarn and hook combination should produce to match the pattern dimensions. Getting tension or gauge right ensures your finished project matches the pattern's intended size.

UK patterns write "miss a stitch" where US patterns write "skip a stitch." Both mean the same action: moving past a stitch without working into it.

How to Know If a Crochet Pattern is UK or US

Most crochet pattern designers specify at the top of the pattern whether it is written in UK or US terms. This information usually appears in the general description, the stitch abbreviation key, or the pattern notes section.

If it is not specified, here is how to identify the system:

1. Check for a single crochet (sc) in the stitch list. Single crochet exists only in US terminology. In UK terminology, the equivalent stitch is called a double crochet. If you see "sc" in the abbreviations, it is a US pattern.
2. Check for a half treble (htr) in the stitch list. Half treble exists only in UK terminology. In US terminology, the equivalent stitch is called a half double crochet (hdc). If you see "htr", it is a UK pattern.

Check the terminology used for tension or gauge. UK patterns say "tension", US patterns say "gauge."

3. Check whether the pattern says "miss a stitch" or "skip a stitch." "Miss" is UK, "skip" is US.
4. Check the origin of the pattern designer. Designers based in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand typically write in UK terminology. Designers based in the US and Canada typically write in US terminology. South African designers use both. When in doubt, check the designer's location as a starting point.

How to Convert a Crochet Pattern From UK to US

Converting a written crochet pattern from one system to the other is straightforward once you have the conversion chart. Work through the pattern stitch by stitch and replace every UK abbreviation with its US equivalent, or vice versa.

The most reliable approach is to print or write out the pattern and physically mark each stitch name as you convert it, so nothing is missed. For longer patterns, create a running key at the top noting each conversion you have made.
Remember that the conversion applies to every instance of the stitch name, including in combined instructions such as "dc2tog", "dc3tog", "dc in next 3 sts", and all variations. Converting only the standalone stitch names and missing the compound instructions is a common error.

Common Mistakes when Converting Crochet Patterns

1. The most frequent error is converting the stitch names but missing the stitch count context. Because US and UK stitches have different heights, substituting one for another does not just change the name, it changes the fabric structure. A pattern designed around the height of a US double crochet will look and behave differently if worked in a UK double crochet (which is a US single crochet and significantly shorter). Always convert using the chart, not by intuition.
2. The second most common error is assuming a pattern is in one system because of where you found it. Many international craft websites publish patterns from designers worldwide without standardising terminology. Never assume — always check.
3. The third error is forgetting to convert gauge or tension swatching instructions. If the pattern specifies a gauge in US terms and you are working to a UK tension expectation, your stitch count per 10cm may be incorrect even if your stitches look right.

Tunisian crochet: No Conversion Needed

One significant exception to all of the above: Tunisian crochet terminology is the same in both UK and US systems. The stitch names — Tunisian simple stitch, Tunisian knit stitch, Tunisian purl stitch — do not change between the two systems. If you are working with Tunisian crochet patterns, you can follow them without conversion regardless of where they were published.

The same is true for knitting — knit and purl stitch names are consistent worldwide.

Now that you understand the differences between UK and US terms, work on crocheting a granny square.

Regardless of what crochet pattern you follow and the crochet abbreviations written in UK or US terms, the secret to crafting comfort is high-quality crochet tools and accessories. KnitPro offers a wide range of crochet hook sets and hooks in individual sizes. In crochet hook types, you get single-ended crochet hooks in standard sizes, double-ended crochet hooks with two different sizes on either end, and specialty interchangeable Tunisian crochet hooks.

An innovative KnitPro offering is the Oasis interchangeable crochet hooks. Here you get the standard crochet hooks with a threading connection on a smooth wooden handle with grooves that have a comfortable grip. The hooks can be changed according to the project’s needs. So, from a 2mm to a 12mm hook, you have a hook that tackles them all. In materials, you have birchwood in radiant shades and unique chevron patterns such as Symfonie and Dreamz along with the warm, earthy tone of Ginger, beginner-friendly bamboo, smooth aluminium such as Zing, stainless steel, and ergonomic rubber handles of the Waves and the very innovative Oasis interchangeable crochet hooks.