One of the most confusing things for new crocheters is that the UK and the US use the same names for different stitches. A pattern that says "double crochet" can mean two different stitches depending on where it was written. Here's a simple chart to keep handy.
UK vs US conversion chart
| US term | UK term |
|---|---|
| Chain (ch) | Chain (ch) |
| Slip stitch (sl st) | Slip stitch (ss) |
| Single crochet (sc) | Double crochet (dc) |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | Half treble crochet (htr) |
| Double crochet (dc) | Treble crochet (tr) |
| Treble crochet (tr) | Double treble crochet (dtr) |
| Skip | Miss |
| Gauge | Tension |
How to tell which terms a pattern uses
- If the pattern mentions single crochet, it's written in US terms – UK terminology has no single crochet.
- If it mentions treble early on, it's very likely UK terms.
- Check the pattern's introduction: good patterns say which terms they use.
Amigurumi abbreviations you'll see often
- MR – magic ring
- inc – increase: two stitches in the same stitch
- dec – decrease: two stitches joined into one
- sc2tog / dc2tog – decrease in US / UK terms
- FLO / BLO – front loop only / back loop only
- (…) x6 – repeat the instructions in brackets six times
- [18] – the number of stitches you should have at the end of the round
The good news for beginners
Most amigurumi use just one main stitch – the US single crochet, or UK double crochet. Learn that one, plus increases and decreases, and you can make almost any small creature.
Want to put it into practice? Every Pelotine kit comes with a step-by-step video tutorial, so you can simply watch and crochet along.