US and UK crochet terms

US single crochet is UK double crochet. US double crochet is UK treble. The stitch stays the same when its name is converted; working the same abbreviation under another convention changes the fabric.

Stitch-name conversion

US termUK term
chain (ch)chain (ch)
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 (tr)double treble (dtr)
double treble (dtr)triple treble (trtr)

Translate this practice row

US instruction: ch 1, sc in each of the next 12 sts, turn. In UK terms: ch 1, dc in each of the next 12 sts, turn. Both make a row of 12 of the same short stitch; this example’s turning chain is not counted as a stitch.

Translating the name does not change the hook, yarn, stitch count or turning-chain rule. Follow the original pattern’s rule about whether a turning chain counts.

Check the convention before starting

Look for an explicit US or UK label or a stitch definition. The presence of sc is a useful clue to US notation, but the absence of sc proves nothing: a US pattern might contain only taller stitches. When dc is ambiguous, check its described technique or ask the designer.

Read the rest of a crochet pattern and practise the stitch sequence.