Here’s one of the most confusing facts in crochet: the same stitch has different names in the US and the UK. A “double crochet” in a British pattern is a completely different stitch from a “double crochet” in an American pattern. If you follow a UK pattern using US stitches, your project will come out taller, looser and bigger than intended.
The stitches themselves are identical. Only the names are shifted. Once you understand why, the conversion is easy to remember.
Why the names are different
The two systems name stitches by counting different things. The UK system counts the number of loops you have on the hook after the first pull-through, while the US system counts how many times you yarn over and pull through two loops. The result is that every UK name is “one step up” from the US name for the same stitch.
US to UK crochet terms 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 |
| Yarn over | yo | Yarn round hook | yrh |
| Skip | sk | Miss | – |
| Gauge | – | Tension | – |
| Fasten off | – | Fasten off / cast off | – |
The quick rule: to convert UK to US, take one step down (UK dc becomes US sc, UK tr becomes US dc). To convert US to UK, take one step up.
How to tell which terms a pattern uses
Many patterns say “written in US terms” or “UK terms” at the top. When they don’t, look for these clues:
- Single crochet (sc) appears anywhere: it’s a US pattern. The UK system has no stitch called single crochet.
- Half treble (htr) appears: it’s a UK pattern.
- Words like “tension”, “miss” or “yarn round hook”: usually UK.
- Words like “gauge”, “skip” and “yarn over”: usually US.
- Amigurumi patterns that start with “6 dc in magic ring”: almost certainly UK, because amigurumi is worked in single crochet (US) which is called double crochet in the UK.
- Where the designer lives or the yarn brands they mention can also hint at the system.
What stays the same
Chains, slip stitches, the magic ring, increases, decreases, “front loop only” and “back loop only” mean the same thing in both systems. Hook sizes are also usually given in millimeters in modern patterns, so they are easy to match. If an older pattern uses UK hook numbers, our hook sizes chart converts them.
Tips for following a pattern in the other system
- Translate before you start. Print the pattern or copy it into a note, and rewrite each stitch name in your own system. Doing it in advance avoids mistakes halfway through a row.
- Keep a chart nearby. Pin this page or save the table above as a picture on your phone.
- Check the photo. If your piece looks much taller and lacier than the pattern photo, you may be using the wrong system.
- Make a small swatch and compare it with the gauge in the pattern before starting a big project.
Which terms does this blog use?
All patterns on Crochet By Luma Art are written in US terms. If you learned crochet in the UK, Ireland or Australia, read every “sc” in our patterns as your “dc”. For example, Round 1 of our chibi snowman is “6 sc in MR” in US terms, which is “6 dc in MR” in UK terms.
FAQ
Does Australia use US or UK terms?
Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa traditionally use UK terms, though many crocheters there now follow US patterns online too.
Are crochet charts (symbols) the same everywhere?
Yes. Crochet symbol charts use the same symbols in both systems, which is why many international patterns include a chart.
Is UK double crochet the same as US double crochet?
No. UK double crochet equals US single crochet. US double crochet equals UK treble.
New to all of this? Start with our beginner’s guide to crochet and then learn how to read a crochet pattern.
Cover photo: inspiration photo by Sandra Garmendia on Pexels
