Differences between UK and US Terms
Crochet terms are one of the first thing you learn on your journey with this craft, so it’s important to know as much about them as possible.
If you are using written patterns already, it means that you know basic crochet stitches and know that they, as well as certain crochet techniques, have their own names and abbreviations.
What you might not know, is that these names differ between United States and United Kingdom – and it makes a huge difference to you!
Let’s look at the table below:
Abbreviation & Term Differences between the US and UK
|
U.S. / Canada |
U.K. |
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) |
| double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) |
| treble (tr) | double treble (dtr) |
| double treble (dtr) | triple treble (trtr) |
|
U.S. |
U.K. / Canada |
| gauge | tension |
| yarn over (yo) | yarn over hook (yoh) |
Well, that’s confusing!
It definitely can be, so let’s analyze it, shall we?
Confusion strikes when we’re talking about double crochet or treble, because the same names indicate totally different stitches in UK and US terms. As you can see in the table, there is a major difference in abbreviations as well, so it’s crucial to know how to follow.
Australians usually use UK crochet terms, but it differs from author to author. You can be sure that special stitches, such as bobble or popcorn are called the same everywhere.
How do I know what kind of crochet terms my pattern uses?
That’s quite easy, because it should tell you right away! When a crocheter makes the written pattern, he or she should indicate it in the notes, so that it’s clear from the beginning. If you are not sure, read through all the notes very carefully, because you don’t want to miss this information.
If you are using vintage crochet pattern books, the techniques should also be described extensively, or even shown with step-by-step instructions for each stitch.
I have a pattern in UK terms, but I use US terms. What should I do?
Translate it! You can use this table to make notes on your version.
If it’s a popular stitch pattern, for example, just look for one that uses terms you prefer. There are also many designers that make two versions of their patterns, so that everyone can read it without problems.
What about diagrams?
Diagrams are universal, so it means that you don’t have to worry about the crochet terms! Those of you, who use diagrams, know that they consist of crochet chart symbols. These symbols represent particular stitches and techniques, but their names are irrelevant.
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