Say What? Crochet Speak Is Like a Secret Code
Crochet lingo can often sound foreign—almost like a secret code. I remember the first time I read online that someone was frogging their project. Say what? What do little green frogs have to do with crochet? And when someone wrote, “I need to get out my WIP,” I definitely did a double take.
Crochet abbreviations are generally straight forward. The first letter of the word or phrase is often used to refer to a stitch or word: single crochet is abbreviated sc and chain is abbreviated ch, for example. We have a complete list of traditional crochet abbreviations here. But what about crochet speak on blogs, social media, or old patterns? Below are the most common terms and some just for fun.
KOHO,
—Dana
(p.s. that’s Keep On Hookin’ On)
Crochet Slang on Blogs and Social Media
clown barf = when bright variegated yarn pools in an unattractive pattern.
DH = Dear hubby.
FOTH = fresh off the hook.
frog = to rip out one’s work; repeat the phrase “rip it, rip it” like a frog.
hooker = one who uses a hook to crochet.
HOTH = hot off the hook
JAYGO = join as you go
MAM = mile-a-minute technique
MGBTC = must get back to crocheting
NCR = not crochet related
PHD = projects half done
PIGS = projects in grocery sacks
UFO = unfinished object
USO = unstarted object
WIP = work in progress
yarnie – someone who loves yarn
yarn barf = the tangled mess of yarn that comes out of a skein of yarn when you pull out a center strand
Crochet Speak of Old
Vintage crochet patterns are sometimes quirky, yet surprisingly relevant to the modern crocheter. Interweave offers a wide variety of vintage crochet patterns such as the e-book PieceWork Presents Vintage Crochet with Mrs. Beeton.
2d = second
3d – third
afghan hook = Tunisian crochet hook
double long treble crochet = double treble
double stitch = single crochet
long double stitch = half double crochet
long treble stitch = treble crochet
miss = skip a stitch
p – picot
p-loop = picot loop
raised spots – cluster
sdc = short double crochet
tricot = Tunisian crochet
work plain = work in single crochet
Crochet Terms Just for Fun
Ok, these may or may not be real, but they sure sound logical.
BO = bobble
BS = bullion stitch
Sextr = sextuple treble crochet
English to American Translation
And let’s not forget that English patterns use slightly different terms from American patterns!
slip stitch = slip stitch
double crochet = single crochet
treble crochet = double crochet
long treble crochet = treble crochet
Get this product today in our shop!
Join the Conversation!