I know from experience that reading a crochet pattern can be intimidating but with practice, it definitely becomes easier.  For starters, I’ve listed below some of the more commonly used abbreviations that you will find within a crochet pattern’s directions.  About.com Crochet is a wonderful site to find good demonstrations on these various stitches:

• alt           –      alternate
• beg         –      begin/beginning
• BLO       –      back loop only
• bls          –      boucle loop stitch
• BPdc      –      back post double crochet
• BPsc      –      back post single crochet
• C             –      crossed stitch
• CC          –      contrasting color
• Cdc         –      crossed double crochet
• ch           –      chain stitch
• ch-sp     –      chain-space
• CL          –      cluster
• cont       –      continue
• dc           –      double crochet
• dc2tog  –      double crochet two together
• dec        –      decrease
• dsc        –      double single crochet
• dtr         –      double treble
• ea          –      each
• Els        –      extended loop stitch
• Esc        –      extended single crochet
• FLO      –      front loop only
• FPdc     –      front post double crochet
• FPsc     –      front post single crochet
• FPtr      –      front post treble
• hdc       –      half double crochet
• inc        –      increase
• KS         –      knot stitch
• lks        –      locking stitch
• lp          –      loop
• ls          –      loop stitch
• MC       –      main color
• och       –      overlaid chain
• pat st   –      pattern stitch
• pc         –      popcorn stitch
• pm       –      place marker
• qtr        –      quadruple treble
• rem      –      remaining
• rev dc  –      reverse double crochet
• rev sc  –      reverse single crochet
• rf          –      relief stitch
• rnd      –      round
• RS       –      right side
• sc        –       single crochet
• sc2tog –      single crochet two together
• Sl st     –      slip stitch
• sp         –      space
• st          –      stitch
• tch       –      turning chain
• tr          –      treble
• tr2tog  –      treble two together
• WS       –      wrong side
• yo         –      yarn over

These are pretty standard abbreviations that you will find in most American written patterns.  When starting a new crochet project, I would recommend reading through the pattern to familiarize yourself with the abbreviations used.  Most of the time, you will find a stitch guide within the pattern or pattern book itself showing you or telling you exactly how to make a certain stitch or cluster.

One of my favorite books to use as a reference is The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet by Margaret Hubert.  Within the pages of this book are wonderful colored pictures of stitches, tools, tips, techniques and some patterns.  I like to have it readily available especially if I’m working on a new pattern and have to refresh myself on how to do a certain stitch or planning a new project.

Should a pattern use a new stitch for you, why not practice that stitch over and over again with some old yarn (making swatches) so that you will have it mastered and looking perfect for your special crochet project.  This would be a super time to encourage crocheting to a young child; you both could practice the new stitch/cluster together.  What a wonderful and creative way to spend an hour or so one-on-one making your own swatches!!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

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