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CHARTS
Pattern abbreviations
alt alternate
approx approximately
BP back post
BLO back loop only
BPdc back post double
crochet
beg begin, beginning
CC contrasting color
ch chain
cl cluster
cont continue
dbl double
dtr or dbl tr
double triple
dc double crochet
dec decrease
dir directions
dk dark
dnt do not turn
ea each
ex sc
extended single crochet
fig figure 1 (picture of
stitch)
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FLO front loop only
FP front post
FPdc front post double
crochet
fo finish off
foll following
gm or gr grams
gr group
hdc half double crochet
hk hook
htr half triple crochet
in inch
inc increase
incl including
inst
instructions
ldc long double crochet
lp(s)
loop(s)
lsc long single crochet
lt light
MC main color
med medium
mm millimeter
|
no. number
oz(s) ounce
pat st pattern stitch
pc st popcorn
stitch (also pop, pc, ps)
prev previous
rem remaining
rep repeat
rnd round
rs right side
rsc reverse single crochet
sc single crochet
sk skip
sl st slip stitch
sp space
st(s) stitch(es)
tch turning chain
tog together
tr triple (treble)
x times (such as repeat 5x)
ws wrong side
yo yarn over
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Note: European terms differ slightly from U.S. terms.
A conversion
table is provided below.
International Symbols |
Domestic (U.S.) |
Foreign
(England, Australia, etc.) |
 |
slip stitch |
slip stitch |
 |
chain |
chain |
 |
single crochet |
double crochet |
 |
half double crochet |
half treble |
 |
double crochet |
treble |
 |
triple crochet |
double treble |
|
|
double treble |
triple treble |
|
|
triple treble |
quadruple treble |
Turning Chains
At the beginning of a pattern worked in rows, you normally chain a certain number and
then begin your pattern stitches into the foundation chain. At the end of a row, a pattern
will say chain a certain number of stitches and turn. If you are designing your own
pattern, it is helpful to know the "normal" turning chains required to get the
correct height. Here are the typically suggested turning chains for the basic stitches, as
well as the suggested chain to go into on the foundation chain of your pattern.
Type of Stitch |
On Foundation Chain |
Turning
Chain |
After turn, insert into |
sl st |
2nd |
ch 1 |
1st stitch |
sc |
2nd |
ch 1 |
1st stitch |
hdc |
3rd |
ch 2 |
2nd stitch |
|
dc |
3rd or 4th |
ch 2 or ch 3 |
2nd stitch |
|
htr |
4th |
ch 2 or ch 3 |
2nd stitch |
tr |
5th |
ch 4 |
2nd stitch |
Note:
turning chain counts as a stitch in all but ss and sc, which means you work into
the tch as your last stitch, unless otherwise specified in your pattern
Yarn Ply Comparison Chart
We usually think of ply
as the individual strands that are woven together to make a strand of
yarn. This is accurate, but some manufacturers use the term ply to describe the
size of yarn. So when substituting yarn, make sure you know what you are
comparing.
The information below is
gathered from various sources. I do not guarantee its reliability. Make sure you
are using the material specified in your pattern or an equivalent. Check gauge
to be sure. Also, most wrappers will give the gauge so you can judge different
yarns in the shop by comparing their wrapper gauge. Another method of comparing
yarn is wpi (wraps per inch). You wrap your yarn around a small tube, yarn
strands lying side by side, not overlapping, and set a rule down next to it. If
both yarns measure the same, you can substitute them in your project. Keep in
mind also that different materials will "drape" differently. You might not, for
example, want to exchange cotton for wool in a sweater.
In most cases the U.K.
and Australian terms are the same, as far as my research could tell.
My favorite online store
for buying yarn,
http://www.herrschners.com/ lists these U.S. weights
2 ply, fingering, DK, Lace Weight, Sport, Worsted, Heavy Worsted, Super
Bulky, Bulky Chunky
| U.S. A. |
U.K. |
Australia |
| |
1 ply -
cobweb weight |
|
| lace |
2 - baby |
2 |
| sock |
3 - baby |
3 |
| fingering 3 ply |
4 - baby |
4 jumper weight |
| sport weight 3 ply |
5-ply
lightweight |
5 |
| light worsted |
8-ply
double knitting |
8 |
| worsted |
Aran |
10 (worsted) |
| (heavy) worsted 4 ply
|
triple
knit |
12 (knitting worsted) |
| |
|
14 |
| bulky |
chunky |
16 |
| super bulky |
bulky |
20 |
Yarn Equivalents
| Two strands fingering equal one strand sport. |
| Two strands sport equal one strand worsted. |
| Two strands worsted equal one strand bulky |
Below is a list of the hooks that are
normally used with the particular yarn.
Doesn't mean you can't use a different one if you so choose. It's just a general
guideline.
|
Yarn |
Hook
to use |
|
Fingering
(baby) |
B-1 to
E-4 |
|
D. K.
Sport |
E-4 to
G-6 (or #7 which is becoming easier to find now) |
|
Worsted |
H-8 to
K-10 1/2 |
|
Rug or
Bulky |
L-11 and
up |
08/12/05
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