Read crochet charts with confidence β the standard symbol for every common stitch.
| Symbol | Stitch | US Abbr. | UK Abbr. | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| β | Slip Stitch | sl st | sl st | A small filled dot |
| β | Chain | ch | ch | A small oval or open loop |
| β | Single Crochet | sc | dc | A cross or plus sign |
| π³ | Half Double Crochet | hdc | htr | A "T" shape with one bar through the stem |
| π³ΜΈ | Double Crochet | dc | tr | A "T" shape with one diagonal bar through the stem |
| π³ΜΈΜΈ | Treble Crochet | tr | dtr | A "T" shape with two diagonal bars through the stem |
| π³ΜΈΜΈΜΈ | Double Treble | dtr | trtr | A "T" shape with three diagonal bars through the stem |
| β | 2 Stitches Together (dec) | sc2tog / dc2tog | dc2tog / tr2tog | Two stitch symbols joined at the top in a narrow "V" |
| Ι Ι | Increase (2 in one stitch) | inc | inc | Two stitch symbols fanning out from one base point |
| β§ | Front Post Stitch | fpdc / fptr | fptr / fpdtr | Stitch symbol with a curved line wrapping the front of the post |
Symbol style varies slightly between pattern designers and software, but the general shapes and relative heights above are consistent across the crochet world.
Crochet charts show a pattern visually, stitch by stitch, using symbols that mirror each stitch's actual shape and height β a chain is a small oval, a single crochet a plain cross, and taller stitches gain extra bars through the stem. Charts are typically read from bottom to top, right to left on odd rows and left to right on even rows for back-and-forth work, or counter-clockwise for rounds. Once you recognize the handful of symbols above, most charts become easy to follow regardless of the pattern's original language.
Are crochet chart symbols the same in every country?
Yes β crochet chart symbols are internationally standardized and represent the stitch structure itself, not a regional name, so a chart reads the same whether the pattern is written in US or UK terms.
What does a taller symbol mean on a crochet chart?
Symbol height corresponds to stitch height. A plain vertical line (chain) is shortest, a cross (single crochet) is a bit taller, and each additional bar through the stem (half double, double, treble) adds height, matching the stitch's actual size.
Do I need to know chart symbols to follow crochet patterns?
Not always β many patterns are written out in words. But charts are especially useful for lace, filet, and colorwork patterns where a visual repeat is much easier to follow than a long line of abbreviations.