crochet jargon: a soft glossary

because "frogging" doesn't mean what you think it does...

a current "WIP" recently recovered from the "UFO" stash

When I first started crocheting, I remember reading a pattern that said something like “ch 12, sl st, sc 8, FO” and thinking... absolutely not. Like many hobbies, crochet has its own weird little language — a mix of abbreviations, inside jokes, and terms that sound way more intense than they are (looking at you, frogging).

So here’s a friendly, non-overwhelming guide to common crochet jargon — whether you’re brand new, coming back after a long break, or just keep forgetting what WIP stands for. I’ll turn this into a printable soon, but for now, feel free to bookmark and reference whenever needed 🧷

common abbreviations you’ll see in patterns

Term	Meaning	What it Does
ch	chain	The starting stitch for most projects
sc	single crochet	short, tight stitch (US terminology)
dc	double crochet	taller, looser stitch than single crochet
hdc	half double crochet	in-between stitch — a fave for blankets
sl st	slip stitch	connects stitches or rounds without adding height
st	stitch	any individual loop or unit
sk	skip	skip the next stitch
inc	increase	add extra stitches into one spot
dec	decrease	combine two stitches into one
rep	repeat	do it again (and again…)
yo	yarn over	wrap yarn over the hook — used in many stitches
FO	finish off	end the project and weave in your ends

common crochet slang

(that will def confuse the group chat)

• WIP (work in progress): Any project you’ve started but haven’t finished. You’ll likely have at least five of these at once.

• UFO (unfinished object): A WIP that’s been abandoned so long it’s basically retired.

• Frogging: Ripping out your stitches because of a mistake or change. It’s called “frogging” because you “rip-it, rip-it.” Yes, really.

• Yarn chicken: When you might not have enough yarn to finish, but you keep going anyway.

• Blocking: Not your ex, but you probably should... A finishing technique where you wet or steam your project and shape it. Magical for lacy pieces and sweaters.

• Tension (or gauge): How tightly or loosely you crochet. It affects the size of your final piece and whether it fits. Not as scary as it sounds.

• Stash: Your yarn collection. It can range from one tote to an entire closet, or room... No judgment.

• Granny square: A classic motif worked in the round — not just for grandmas, I promise.

• Ends: The yarn tails you need to weave in after finishing. No one likes them. They’re the flossing of fiber arts.

• Hooker: A crochet person! You’ll see it used jokingly (i.e. “happy hooker”), but it’s always light-hearted.

tools & materials

• Hooks: The tool you crochet with. They come in different sizes — the thicker the yarn, the bigger the hook.

• Fingering / Worsted / Bulky: These refer to yarn weights (aka thickness). Beginners often start with worsted weight.

• Ball / Skein / Hank: Ways yarn is packaged. You can crochet directly from a skein, but hanks need winding first.

• Stitch marker: A clip or ring to mark your place (especially helpful when working in the round). These are my fave, but paper clips work too.

• Yarn bowl / winder: Optional tools that help manage your yarn. Not essential, but nice if you get obsessed (you will).

final thoughts

Crochet has a learning curve, and the vocabulary is part of that. Don’t worry if you mix up sc and dc, or if “frogging” throws you off the first dozen times. We’ve all been there — Googling terms mid-row and hoping we’re doing it right. You are. You’re learning, and that’s enough.

Got more terms you want defined or weird phrases you’ve seen online? Leave a comment or send them my way — I’d love to add them to the printable version when it’s ready 🫶

Until then, happy stitching

—Hannah (and Miso & Olive, who do not understand yarn rules)