Ever followed a crochet pattern and ended up with a stitch that looked completely wrong? You may have mixed up US and UK crochet terms. The same names mean different stitches on each side of the Atlantic — a UK “double crochet” is a US “single crochet”! This simple US vs UK crochet terms chart will help you convert any pattern in seconds, plus yarn weights and hook sizes.
Why Are There Two Systems?
American and British crocheters named stitches differently. US terms are named after how many times you yarn over and pull through two loops to finish the stitch, while UK terms count the loops on your hook after you first pull up a loop. The result: every stitch taller than a slip stitch is “one name higher” in UK terms.
US vs UK Crochet Stitch Conversion Chart
| US term | US abbr. | UK term | UK abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | ch | Chain | ch |
| Slip stitch | sl st | Slip stitch | ss / sl st |
| Single crochet | sc | Double crochet | dc |
| Half double crochet | hdc | Half treble crochet | htr |
| Double crochet | dc | Treble crochet | tr |
| Treble crochet | tr | Double treble crochet | dtr |
| Double treble crochet | dtr | Triple treble crochet | trtr |
Quick memory trick: going from UK to US, move one stitch down. Going from US to UK, move one stitch up. Chain and slip stitch stay the same.
Other Words That Differ
| US | UK |
|---|---|
| Skip | Miss |
| Gauge | Tension |
| Yarn over (yo) | Yarn over hook (yoh) / yarn round hook (yrh) |
| Fasten off | Fasten off / cast off |
| Single crochet two together (sc2tog) | Double crochet two together (dc2tog) |
Yarn Weight Names: US vs UK
| US / CYC number | US name | Closest UK / AU name |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | 1–2 ply |
| 1 | Fingering / Sock | 4 ply |
| 2 | Sport | 5 ply |
| 3 | DK / Light worsted | DK / 8 ply |
| 4 | Worsted / Aran | Aran / 10 ply |
| 5 | Bulky | Chunky / 12 ply |
| 6 | Super bulky | Super chunky |
These are close equivalents — always check the recommended hook size and gauge on the label.
Crochet Hook Sizes: US Letters to Metric
| Metric | US size |
|---|---|
| 2.25 mm | B-1 |
| 2.75 mm | C-2 |
| 3.25 mm | D-3 |
| 3.5 mm | E-4 |
| 3.75 mm | F-5 |
| 4.0 mm | G-6 |
| 4.5 mm | 7 |
| 5.0 mm | H-8 |
| 5.5 mm | I-9 |
| 6.0 mm | J-10 |
| 6.5 mm | K-10.5 |
| 8.0 mm | L-11 |
| 9.0 mm | M/N-13 |
| 10.0 mm | N/P-15 |
UK and European patterns use metric sizes, which are the most reliable way to match hooks. For the full official list, see the Craft Yarn Council hook size chart.
How to Tell Which Terms a Pattern Uses
- Check the notes: good patterns say “US terms” or “UK terms” at the top.
- Look for “single crochet”: if the pattern uses “sc”, it’s US — there is no single crochet in UK terms.
- Look for “htr” or “miss”: those are UK-only words.
- Check the spelling and units: “colour”, grams and metric hooks often point to UK patterns (not always!).
- Make a test swatch of the first rows — if the fabric looks too tall or too short compared with the photo, the terms may be the other system.
All patterns on Crochet Talks — like our granny square tutorial and free crochet pumpkin pattern — use US terms.
Found a mistake or stuck on a step? We check every stitch count carefully, but crochet is personal and tension varies. If something doesn’t work out for you, tell us here — we read every message and update our patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UK double crochet the same as a US double crochet?
No. A UK double crochet (dc) is a US single crochet (sc). A US double crochet is a UK treble (tr).
Which crochet terms are used in Australia and Canada?
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa generally use UK terms. Canada mostly uses US terms, but always check the pattern notes.
Does it matter which system I learn?
The stitches are identical — only the names change. Learn the system used by the patterns you’ll follow most, and keep this chart handy for the rest.
Where can I learn the basic stitches?
Our how to crochet for beginners guide explains each basic stitch step by step in US terms.
Final Thoughts
US and UK crochet terms don’t have to be confusing. Bookmark or pin this US vs UK crochet terms chart, check every pattern’s notes before you start, and remember: UK names are always one stitch “higher”. Happy hooking!
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