This crochet abbreviations list covers the short forms you meet in amigurumi patterns written in US terms: ch for chain, sc for single crochet, inc for increase, dec or sc2tog for decrease, BLO and FLO for back and front loop only, and MR for magic ring. Always check your pattern's own key, because designers sometimes abbreviate differently.
Why patterns use abbreviations
A toy pattern can have forty or fifty rounds. Writing "work one single crochet into each of the next three stitches, then two single crochet into the following stitch" every time would make it many pages longer and harder to follow. Abbreviations turn that into "(3 sc, inc) x 6". Once you know the short forms, a round reads in a glance.
Many abbreviations follow a widely used standard list for US terms, but amigurumi has its own extras, such as inc and invdec, that are not always written the same way. That is why every good pattern starts with a key.
Basic stitches (US terms)
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ch | chain | Used for starting rows, ovals and loops |
| sl st | slip stitch | Joins rounds or moves along without height |
| sc | single crochet | The main stitch in amigurumi |
| hdc | half double crochet | Taller than sc, used for shaping and clothes |
| dc | double crochet | Taller again, common in clothes and blankets |
| tr | treble crochet | Used rarely in toys |
| st, sts | stitch, stitches | |
| yo | yarn over | Wrap yarn over the hook |
In UK patterns the same names mean different stitches: a UK double crochet is a US single crochet. If a pattern does not say which terms it uses, our US vs UK crochet terms guide shows how to tell.
Shaping: increases and decreases
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Change in count |
|---|---|---|
| inc | 2 sc in the same stitch | +1 |
| dec | decrease, joining 2 stitches into 1 | -1 |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 together | -1 |
| invdec | invisible decrease, worked in the front loops only | -1 |
| hdc2tog, dc2tog | taller stitches worked 2 together | -1 |
Some designers write "inc" as "2 sc in next st" and "dec" as "sc2tog". Others write "dec" but expect the invisible method. The pattern key tells you which one the designer used, though either decrease gives the same count.
Loops and placement
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BLO, BL | back loop only |
| FLO, FL | front loop only |
| MR | magic ring, also called magic circle or adjustable ring |
| sk | skip |
| sp | space |
| rnd, rnds | round, rounds |
| row | a row worked back and forth |
| beg | beginning |
| rem | remaining |
| tog | together |
Loop-only stitches leave a ridge on the fabric, which designers use for flat bases, cuffs and places to attach other parts. Our guide to back loop and front loop crochet shows how to find each loop.
Repeats and symbols
Patterns compress repeats with symbols. The common ones:
- ( ) or [ ] with x 6: work what is inside the brackets the number of times shown. "(sc, inc) x 6" means sc, inc, sc, inc, and so on, six times in total.
- Asterisks: repeat the section between two asterisks as instructed, for example "*sc, inc* around" means repeat that pair to the end of the round.
- "around": repeat until you reach the end of the round.
- (18) at the end of a line: the stitch count you should have when the round is complete.
- Rnd 7-12: sc in each st (30): work the same instruction for every round from 7 to 12.
The number at the end is your most useful check. If your count matches, you are on track.
Color and yarn notes
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CC | contrasting color |
| MC | main color |
| Color A, B | yarns named by letter in the materials list |
| FO | fasten off |
| WS, RS | wrong side, right side |
Some patterns write colors in brackets after a round, for example "Rnd 5 (Color B)". Change to the new color on the last step of the stitch before, so the round starts cleanly.
Amigurumi-only terms you may see spelled out
A few instructions are written in words rather than letters:
- "Stuff firmly" means fill until the piece holds its shape without looking stretched.
- "Leave a long tail for sewing" means cut the yarn with enough length to attach the piece, usually 20 to 30 cm.
- "Close the opening" means thread the tail through the front loops of the last stitches and pull them together.
- "Between rounds X and Y" describes placement, such as where eyes go, counted on the stuffed piece.
Reading a full round, word by word
Here is how a typical line breaks down: "Rnd 6: sc in next 2 sts, (inc, 4 sc) x 5, inc, 2 sc (36)".
- "Rnd 6" tells you which round you are on.
- "sc in next 2 sts" means one single crochet in each of the next two stitches.
- "(inc, 4 sc) x 5" means an increase followed by four single crochet, repeated five times.
- "inc, 2 sc" finishes the round with one more increase and two single crochet.
- "(36)" is the total you should have at the end.
Adding it up: 2 + (2 + 4) x 5 + 2 + 2 = 36. Doing this sum once or twice when a line looks unusual is a good habit. If the arithmetic does not match the number in brackets, you have probably misread a repeat, and it is better to find that out before you crochet the round.
How to keep track while you work
- Print the pattern or keep the PDF open on a tablet.
- Mark each round as you finish it, with a pencil or a highlighter tool.
- Put a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
- Count at the end of each round and compare with the number in brackets.
- Write the key on a sticky note beside you until you know it by heart.
When an abbreviation is not in the list
Designers sometimes invent short forms for special stitches: a bobble, a popcorn, a loop stitch or a surface stitch. These are always explained in the pattern's notes or special stitches section. If you cannot find one, read the round in context; the stitch count in brackets often tells you whether the stitch adds, removes or keeps stitches.
Once the terms are familiar, try reading a full toy from our amigurumi crochet pattern PDFs round by round.
