US vs UK Crochet Terms, Explained (Plus a Free Cheat Sheet)

Hello, my crochet friend.

Have you ever gotten excited about a new pattern, sat down with your hook, and ended up with something that looks nothing like the photo? Before you assume you made a mistake, check one thing first. The pattern might simply be written in different terms than you’re used to.

Here’s the short answer. US and UK crochet terms use the exact same words for different stitches. What Americans call a single crochet, UK patterns call a double crochet. Every other stitch shifts by that same one step. Once you know the shift, you can read a pattern from either side of the Atlantic without any confusion.

The big difference: stitch names

The starting point is the single crochet, US terms only, since UK terms don’t have one. From there, every stitch slides over by one:

This table provides a quick reference, but there are other ways to tell which terminology a pattern uses.

Spotting the clues, even when a pattern doesn’t say

Most designers state which terms they use somewhere in the pattern. When they don’t, here’s how to work it out yourself.

• Key stitches. “Sc” or “hdc” only appear in US patterns. “Htr” is a UK giveaway.
• Hook sizes. UK patterns often use millimeters. US patterns use letters. Very small hook sizes (2mm to 3mm) usually point to UK.
• Measurements. Centimeters and grams lean UK. Inches and yards lean US.
• Spelling. “Colour” suggests UK. “Skein” leans US.

Sandra’s tip :If you’re only going to remember one clue, remember this one. Check for the word “tension” versus “gauge.” UK patterns say tension. US patterns say gauge. It shows up early in almost every pattern, so it’s often the fastest way to tell before you’ve even started reading stitches.

Yarn talk: thickness and weight

Yarn descriptions shift too, not just stitch names.

UK: ply count (3ply, 4ply, 8ply), or Double Knit, Aran, Chunky

US: fingering, sport, worsted, bulky

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Turning chains

Even the turning chain at the start of a row can differ slightly between the two systems.

Free printable: US to UK Stitch Conversion Cheat Sheet

I put together a simple one page cheat sheet with the full stitch conversion, the quick spotting clues, and the yarn weight comparison, all in one place. Print it and keep it folded into your pattern binder or project bag, so you never have to hunt this down mid row again. It’s free, no email needed.

FAQ

How do I know if a pattern is written in US or UK terms if it doesn’t say? Look for “single crochet” or “sc,” that’s US only. If the pattern starts straight in with “double crochet” as the basic stitch and never mentions single crochet, it’s UK. Tension versus gauge is usually the fastest tell.

Can I just swap terms as I go, or do I need to convert the whole pattern first? Either works. Some crocheters convert the full pattern before starting, others keep the conversion chart nearby and translate line by line. Do whichever keeps you relaxed while you work.

Is UK “double crochet” the same stitch as US “double crochet”? No, and this is the one that catches people most often. They’re two different stitches with the same name. UK double crochet is what US crocheters call single crochet.

Does this affect hook sizes too? Not the stitch itself, but many UK patterns list hook sizes in millimeters rather than US letters, so it’s worth double checking your hook against a conversion chart as well.

And if you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more tutorials, tools, and creative crochet inspiration.

A quiet place to keep crocheting

If projects like this one are your kind of calm, you might love the V-Stitch Club.

It is my little corner of the internet for women who crochet for the joy and the quiet of it, with new patterns, gentle company, and the steady rhythm of always having something beautiful on the hook.

Xoxo, Sandra