First of all, congratulations on diving headfirst into the wonderful, woolly world of crochet! Your future is now an endless array of cozy throws, cute tops, and that eternal search for "just one more ball of yarn." (Spoiler: there’s never enough.)
But before you go too far down the rabbit hole, let’s talk about a quirk of crochet: UK vs. US/Canada terminology. Yes, much like tea vs. coffee or biscuits vs. cookies, our two nations have a little difference of opinion when it comes to crochet stitch names. Let’s clear the crochet terminology language !
Here’s the deal: crochet stitches have the same names on both sides of the pond, but they mean completely different things. It’s like when your British mate says, "fancy a biscuit?" and hands you a cookie. Same word, different meaning. Fun, right?
Here’s how the basic stitches line up:
Yep, what the UK calls "double crochet" is actually the US/Canada's "single crochet." And "treble" in the UK? That’s just "double crochet" in the US/Canada. Confused yet? Don’t worry, you’ll get it!
How to Stay Sane
+Check the Pattern Origin: Most patterns will tell you upfront whether they’re using UK or US/Canada terms. Look for something like “This pattern uses UK crochet terminology” or “Written in US terms.” If it doesn’t say, check the stitch list—if “single crochet” is mentioned, it’s US/Canada.
+Use the WTFW Conversion Charts. Head over to the tutorial tab on the website and screenshot or print them out.
Crochet is supposed to be relaxing! Quickly get to know which “language” your pattern is speaking and you’re good to go. So, grab your hook, pick your fave pattern (UK or US!), and get ready to stitch something fabulous.
As always, if you get stuck, I’m here to help—think of me as your crochet guide you can DM on Insta!
Cheers,
Jennine
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