US vs UK Crochet Terms

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Does you pattern use UK vs US Crochet Terms? What is a single crochet and when is a double crochet, not a double crochet? Confused?

Depending on where your crochet pattern was published, the crochet terms used will either be US or UK terms. Unfortunately these two "crochet languages" use the same terms for different stitches. For example, a double crochet in the US version is a treble in the UK version. Likewise, a US treble is a UK double treble.

US
UK
chain(ch)
chain(ch)
single crochet(sc)
double crochet(dc)
half double crochet(hdc)
half treble(htr)
double crochet
treble(tr)
triple crochet
double treble (dtr)
slip stitch (sl st/ ss)
slip st(sl st/ ss)

So before you start your project you will need to determine which version the designer used to write his or her pattern.

So which is it - US vs UK Crochet Terms?

One way to check is to see if the pattern uses the term "single crochet" as this term only occurs in the US version. If it is used, then your pattern was written using US terms. If it does not, your pattern is probably written using UK terms. But not necessarily...

crochet terms

It could be that the pattern is written using US terms but does not use single crochet stitches in the design. To be sure, it would be prudent to check any images of the finished article on the cover (or within the pattern text) to see if you can confirm that single crochet (US) / double crochet (UK) stitches have been used.

single crochet

Single Crochet US / Double Crochet UK

double crochet

Double Crochet US / Treble UK

Another way to check is to look up where the pattern was published and where the designer lives.  If the designer lives in the UK, it is likely that the pattern has been written using the UK terms.  An American author will write their patterns using US terms.  Most designers will indicate which set of terms they used in the foreword for their pattern.

Most patterns will have the designers contact details, so if all else fails, you can reach out and ask. 

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