Here are some more common crochet terms. I’ve included links to video tutorials when possible. The abbreviations and terms are U.S. terms. Patterns written in Europe have similar, but different definitions.
Half double crochet
Wrap the yarn around your hook, put it through a stitch (2 loops on the hook,) wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull it back through the stitch. There are 3 loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook once more and pull through all the loops on the hook. Half double crochet is abbreviated as HDC.
Yarn over
YO the abbreviation for yarn over is the term for wrapping the yarn around your hook.
Fasten off
To end your work or to change color you need to fasten off the yarn. This is abbreviated as FO.
Numbers
If a number follows a stitch abbreviation, like ch3, this means to make three chain stitches. If the number is at the end of the pattern instruction, like 24 sc, it means that there should be 24 single crochet stitches at the end of the instruction set.
Asterisks
Patterns use asterisks to show a repeat in the pattern. For example, DC in the first DC, * 2 DC in the next DC, 1 DC in the next DC*, means to repeat the instructions in the asterisks until you reach the end of the row. In this case you would make two double crochet stitches in the double crochet stitch then make one double crochet stitch in the very next stitch, and you would repeat that pattern until you reached the end of the row.
I hope this helps you decipher crochet patterns. Check back soon as I will show you how to decipher crochet patterns from a chart.
Lynda Altman learned to crochet at age 10. She loves to crochet and enjoys sharing her craft with others. You can see her work online at her Etsy shop, The Granny Squared. Lynda can be reached at the contact link above or on Twitter @fusgeyer.
Comments