Reference

Crochet glossary

Short definitions designed for the moment you hit an unfamiliar term in a pattern.

Amigurumi: Crocheted or knitted stuffed figures, commonly worked in tight single crochet in continuous rounds.
Back loop only (BLO): Work into only the back loop of the stitch top instead of both loops. Often abbreviated BLO.
Blocking: Shaping and setting finished crochet with moisture, steam, or washing methods appropriate for the fiber.
Chain (ch): A foundational crochet stitch made by pulling a yarn over through the loop on the hook.
Chain space (ch-sp): An opening created by chain stitches that later stitches are worked into or around.
Cluster: A grouped stitch technique where multiple partial stitches are completed together, or a pattern-defined group of stitches.
Double crochet (dc): A tall US crochet stitch made with one initial yarn over and two pull-through stages.
Fasten off: Secure the final live loop after cutting the working yarn so the piece cannot unravel from the end.
Front loop only (FLO): Work into only the front loop of the stitch top. Often abbreviated FLO.
Gauge: The measured number of stitches and rows across a specified size of fabric.
Half double crochet (hdc): A medium-height US stitch completed by pulling the final yarn over through three loops at once.
Increase (inc): Add stitches, often by working more than one stitch into the same base stitch or space.
Magic ring: An adjustable starting loop used for crochet worked in the round; also called a magic circle.
Motif: A small repeated crochet unit such as a granny square, flower, hexagon, or other shape.
Round: A sequence of stitches worked around a center or perimeter instead of back and forth in straight rows.
Single crochet (sc): A short US crochet stitch made by pulling up a loop, then pulling a yarn over through both loops.
Slip stitch (sl st): A very short stitch made by pulling yarn through the target and the loop on the hook in one motion.
Stitch marker: A removable marker used to identify a stitch, round start, repeat, shaping point, or other location.
Turning chain: One or more chains made at the start or end of a row to bring the hook to the height needed for the next row.
Yarn over (yo): Wrap or position the working yarn over the hook so it can be pulled through a loop or stitch.