US vs UK Crochet Terms: The Conversion Chart (and Australian Too)
A UK double crochet is a US single crochet. This chart converts every stitch, yarn weight and hook term between US, UK and Australian patterns — and shows how to tell which a pattern uses.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Time
- 4 minute read
In this post
Here's the confusing truth: US and UK crochet use the same names for different stitches. A UK "double crochet" is a US "single crochet". Follow a UK pattern with US stitches and everything comes out twice as tall.
Australia and New Zealand generally use UK stitch names, but describe yarn by "ply". This chart covers all three.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Stitch conversion chart
| US term | UK / Australian term |
|---|---|
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) |
| double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) |
| treble crochet (tr) | double treble (dtr) |
| double treble (dtr) | triple treble (trtr) |
| skip | miss |
| gauge | tension |
| yarn over (yo) | yarn over hook (yoh / yrh) |
| fasten off | fasten off / finish off |
Notice the pattern: every UK name is one step "higher" than the US name for the same stitch. Only the chain and slip stitch match.
How to tell which terms a pattern uses
- "Single crochet" or "sc" anywhere? It's US — UK has no single crochet.
- "Half treble" or "htr"? It's UK.
- Spelling: "colour", "grey" and "tension" suggest UK; but check the stitches, since many UK designers write US terms for a global audience.
- The designer's note: good patterns say "written in US terms" at the top — every YarnBloom pattern is in US terms.
Yarn weight conversion
| US (CYC number) | UK | Australia / NZ |
|---|---|---|
| Lace (#0) | 1 ply / 2 ply | 2 ply |
| Fingering / sock (#1) | 4 ply | 4 ply |
| Sport (#2) | 5 ply / baby | 5 ply |
| DK / light worsted (#3) | DK | 8 ply |
| Worsted / aran (#4) | Aran | 10 ply |
| Bulky (#5) | Chunky | 12 ply |
| Super bulky (#6) | Super chunky | 14 ply + |
Worsted and aran are often treated as the same weight; aran is slightly thicker. When in doubt, compare the recommended hook and gauge on the labels — our yarn weight chart has the details.
Hook sizes
US hooks use a letter and number (H-8 = 5 mm); old UK hooks used numbers that run backwards (UK 6 = 5 mm). Millimetres are universal, so buy and follow by mm. Full table: crochet hook sizes chart.
Common questions
Is UK double crochet the same as US single crochet?
Yes. It's the same stitch: insert, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops.
Does Australia use US or UK crochet terms?
Mostly UK stitch names, with yarn weights described in ply (8 ply = DK, 10 ply ≈ worsted/aran, 12 ply = chunky).
Can I convert a pattern myself?
Yes — replace each stitch with its equivalent from the chart, one step down from UK to US. Write the conversions in the margin before you start.
What does "tension" mean in a UK pattern?
It's the UK word for gauge: how many stitches and rows fit in a set measurement. See our gauge guide.
Hello to everyone crocheting in the UK, Canada, Australia and beyond! 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺🇨🇦
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YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
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