1. Stitch Basics

Chain (ch) — The starting stitch for most projects. You make a row of loops that other stitches are worked into.

Slip knot — The first loop you put on your hook to begin a chain. It tightens when you pull the yarn tail.

Slip stitch (sl st) — A tiny joining stitch. Good for connecting rounds, moving across stitches, or finishing neatly.

Single crochet (sc) — A short, dense basic stitch. Often the first stitch beginners learn.

Half double crochet (hdc) — A bit taller than single crochet but shorter than double crochet. Soft and slightly stretchy.

Double crochet (dc) — A tall, common stitch that works up quickly and gives a looser fabric.

Treble/triple crochet (tr) — Taller than double crochet, used for airy or lacy fabric.

Yarn over (yo) — Wrapping the yarn over your hook. It’s the basic motion used to form most stitches.

Turning chain (t-ch) — A small chain at the start of a row that brings the yarn up to the height of the next row’s stitches.

Increase (inc) — Making more stitches than you had before, usually by working two or more stitches into the same stitch.

Decrease (dec) — Combining two or more stitches into one to reduce the stitch count and shape your project.

Back loop only (BLO) — Working into just the back half of a stitch’s “V” to create a ridge or extra stretch.

Front loop only (FLO) — Working into just the front half of a stitch’s “V” for a different texture or ridge effect.

2. Tools & Materials

Crochet hook — The main tool for crochet. Hooks come in different sizes, labeled with letters, numbers, or millimeters.

Yarn weight — How thick the yarn is (for example: lace, DK, worsted, bulky). It affects how big and warm your project will be.

Stitch marker — A small clip or ring that marks a specific stitch or the start of a round so you don’t lose your place.

Tapestry/ yarn needle — A large needle with a blunt tip used to weave in yarn ends and sew pieces together.

Row counter — A tool or app that helps you track how many rows or rounds you’ve completed.

Blocking — Gently shaping and flattening your finished piece with water or steam so it lies neatly and to size.

Tension — How tightly or loosely you hold the yarn. It changes how firm, soft, or stretchy your fabric feels.

Gauge — How many stitches and rows you get in a measured square (often 4 in/10 cm). Matching gauge helps your project come out the right size.

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3. Pattern Lingo & Abbreviations

Pattern repeat (*) — Instructions between * * or ( ) that you repeat several times across a row or round.

Row vs round (rnd) — A row is worked back and forth in straight lines. A round is worked in a circle, often for hats or amigurumi.

Right side (RS) — The “front” of your work that will show when the item is used or worn.

Wrong side (WS) — The “back” of your work, usually the inside or less visible side.

Front post / back post stitches (FP / BP) — Stitches worked around the stem of a stitch instead of the top loops, used for ribbing and texture.

Work into the … — A phrase telling you where to place your hook, such as into the same stitch, next stitch, or specific space.

Skip (sk) — Do not work into this stitch or space; move on to the next one.

Repeat (rep) — Do the same steps again, often a set of stitches or a sequence in a row.

Frogging — Ripping out your stitches to fix a mistake or redo a section. (You “rip-it, rip-it,” like a frog.)

Frogging vs tinking — Frogging is pulling out lots of stitches at once; tinking is slowly undoing stitches one by one.

Fasten off (FO) — The steps to securely end your yarn so your project doesn’t unravel.

Weaving in ends — Using a needle to hide yarn tails inside your stitches so the project looks neat and secure.

Amigurumi — The Japanese word for small crocheted stuffed toys, often worked in continuous rounds.

Continuous rounds vs joined rounds — Continuous rounds spiral without closing each round. Joined rounds are closed with a slip stitch before starting the next round.