US vs UK Crochet Terms: The Difference That Trips Up Beginners
US and UK crochet use the same stitch names for different stitches. Here's the full conversion table and how to tell which system a pattern is written in.
Here’s a quirk that catches almost every beginner at least once: US and UK crochet patterns use the same words for different stitches. Follow a UK pattern thinking it’s US, and your project comes out wrong – taller, shorter, or just not matching the photo. The good news is that the conversion is completely consistent, so once you learn it, you’re safe forever.
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The core problem
Both systems describe the same physical stitches. They just name them differently, and the names are offset by one “level.” The most important thing to know: a US single crochet is called a UK double crochet. From there, every name shifts up.
The conversion table
- US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)
- US half double crochet (hdc) = UK half treble (htr)
- US double crochet (dc) = UK treble (tr)
- US treble crochet (tr) = UK double treble (dtr)
- US double treble (dtr) = UK triple treble (trtr)
One reassuring exception: the slip stitch and the chain are the same in both systems, so those never need converting.
How to tell which system a pattern uses
Patterns don’t always announce it, but there are reliable tells:
- Look for “single crochet.” UK patterns never use the term single crochet. If you see “sc” anywhere, it’s a US pattern.
- Check the designer’s origin. A designer or magazine based in the UK, Australia, or Ireland usually writes in UK terms; US-based sources use US terms.
- Read the abbreviations key. Good patterns include a stitch key at the top. If “dc” is described as the short, basic stitch, it’s UK. If “dc” is a taller stitch and “sc” is the short one, it’s US.
A simple safety habit
Before starting an unfamiliar pattern, decide which system it’s in and, if it’s the one you’re less used to, jot the conversions on a sticky note beside you.
Why this exists at all
It’s just a historical difference in how the craft developed on either side of the Atlantic – there’s no deeper logic to memorize. What matters is recognizing which system you’re in before you make a hundred stitches at the wrong height. Bookmark this table; even experienced crocheters double-check it when they pick up a pattern from an unfamiliar source.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any way to convert instantly? Remember the anchor – US sc = UK dc – and that every US name is one “step” shorter than the UK name for the same stitch. From that single fact you can rebuild the whole table.
Do hook sizes differ between US and UK too? Yes, the labeling differs, but both usually list the millimeter size, which is universal. Go by the mm measurement and you’ll be fine.
Are chains and slip stitches really the same in both? Yes – only the stitches built on yarn-overs shift names. Chain and slip stitch are identical, so they never need translating.