This guide provides the full meaning, how-to instructions, and practical applications for every symbol on this crochet cheat sheet — from basic stitches to advanced techniques like picots, popcorns, bobbles, clusters, and post stitches.
The Ultimate Crochet Symbols Cheat Sheet: Basic & Advanced Stitches Decoded
Introduction: Read Any Crochet Chart
Crochet symbols are the universal language of crochet. Whether you are following a pattern from Japan, Russia, Europe, or the Americas, the symbols remain the same. This cheat sheet — created by crochetpedia.com — compiles the most essential basic and advanced stitches in one place.
In this guide, you will learn:
- The full meaning of every symbol on the chart
- Step-by-step how-to for each stitch
- When and why to use each stitch
- How to distinguish between similar symbols (e.g., bobble vs. popcorn vs. cluster)
Why Use a Crochet Symbol Cheat Sheet?
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Read international patterns | Symbols transcend language barriers |
| Learn faster | Visual symbols are easier to memorize than abbreviations |
| See stitch structure | Symbols show you exactly where the hook goes |
| Troubleshoot easily | Compare your work to the symbol to find mistakes |
| One-page reference | No need to flip through multiple pages |
Part 1: Basic Crochet Stitches (Left Column)
1. Magic Ring (Magic Circle / Adjustable Ring)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Spiral or circle with a curled tail |
| English | Magic ring / magic circle |
| Abbreviation | MR or magic ring |
| Use | Starting crochet in the round with no hole in the center |
How to Make a Magic Ring:
- Wrap yarn around your fingers to form an X.
- Insert hook under the first strand, over the second, and pull up a loop.
- Chain 1 (for sc) or chain 3 (for dc) to set height.
- Work your first round of stitches into the ring.
- Pull the tail to close the ring completely.
Best for: Amigurumi, hats, coasters, circular motifs.
2. Slip Stitch (sl st)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | • (solid dot) |
| English | Slip stitch |
| Abbreviation | sl st |
| Use | Joining rounds, moving across stitches invisibly |
How to Make a Slip Stitch:
- Insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over.
- Pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
Best for: Joining chains into rings, seaming, flat edges.
3. Chain Stitch (ch)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ○ (open oval) |
| English | Chain stitch |
| Abbreviation | ch |
| Use | Foundation of most projects |
How to Make a Chain:
- Make a slip knot on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the loop.
- Repeat.
Best for: Starting rows, creating spaces in lace, turning chains.
4. Single Crochet (sc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ✚ or + (cross) |
| English | Single crochet |
| Abbreviation | sc |
| Height | Shortest stitch (1 chain) |
How to Make Single Crochet:
- Insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through both loops.
Best for: Amigurumi, dense fabrics, washcloths, bags.
5. Half Double Crochet (hdc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┬ (T shape) |
| English | Half double crochet |
| Abbreviation | hdc |
| Height | Medium (2 chains) |
How to Make Half Double Crochet:
- Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Best for: Blankets, beanies, soft drape fabrics.
6. Double Crochet (dc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ (T with one crossbar) |
| English | Double crochet |
| Abbreviation | dc |
| Height | Tall (3 chains) |
How to Make Double Crochet:
- Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain).
- Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
Best for: Granny squares, sweaters, shawls, blankets.
7. Treble Crochet (tr)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ with two crossbars (or ↑↑ in your chart) |
| English | Treble crochet (triple crochet in UK) |
| Abbreviation | tr |
| Height | Very tall (4 chains) |
How to Make Treble Crochet:
- Yarn over twice, insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
- (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops) — repeat 3 times.
Best for: Lace shawls, openwork designs, lightweight garments.
8. Double Treble Crochet (dtr)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ with three crossbars (or ↑↓ in your chart) |
| English | Double treble crochet |
| Abbreviation | dtr |
| Height | Very, very tall (5 chains) |
How to Make Double Treble Crochet:
- Yarn over 3 times, insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
- (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops) — repeat 4 times.
9. Triple Treble Crochet (ttr)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ with four crossbars (or ↑↑↓ in your chart) |
| English | Triple treble crochet |
| Abbreviation | ttr |
| Height | Extremely tall (6 chains) |
How to Make Triple Treble:
- Yarn over 4 times, insert hook.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop (6 loops on hook).
- (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops) — repeat 5 times.
10. Decrease (with dc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Two ┴ symbols joined at the bottom (or ↓↑↓ in your chart) |
| English | Double crochet decrease (dc2tog) |
| Use | Reducing stitch count |
How to Make a Double Crochet Decrease (dc2tog):
- Yarn over, insert into first stitch, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain — unfinished dc).
- Yarn over, insert into next stitch, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
11. Increase (with dc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Two ┴ symbols sharing a base (or ↑↑↑ in your chart) |
| English | Double crochet increase (2 dc in same stitch) |
| Use | Increasing stitch count |
How to Make a Double Crochet Increase:
- Work 1 double crochet into the stitch.
- Work another double crochet into the same stitch.
Part 2: Advanced Crochet Stitches (Right Column)
12. 3-Chain Picot (ch3 picot)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Small circle with three lines or a loop |
| English | 3-chain picot |
| Use | Decorative lacy loops on edges |
How to Make a 3-Chain Picot:
- Chain 3.
- Insert hook into the first chain (or into the base stitch).
- Slip stitch to close the loop.
Best for: Doily edges, baby blanket borders, feminine garments.
13. 3 Double Crochets in One Chain Space
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Three ┴ symbols coming from a single dot or space |
| English | 3 double crochets in one chain space |
| Use | Creating fans or shells within a chain space |
How to Make:
- Work 1 double crochet into the chain space.
- Work a second double crochet into the same chain space.
- Work a third double crochet into the same chain space.
14. 3 Double Crochets in One Stitch
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Three ┴ symbols coming from a single V (stitch base) |
| English | 3 double crochets in one stitch |
| Use | Increases, corners of granny squares |
How to Make:
- Work 3 double crochets into the same stitch (not a chain space).
Difference from previous:
- “In one chain space” = into the hole between stitches
- “In one stitch” = into the top V of a stitch from the previous row
15. Popcorn Stitch
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | A cluster of ┴ symbols with a domed top |
| English | Popcorn stitch |
| Abbreviation | pop or pc |
| Use | Large, puffy, rounded bumps |
How to Make a Popcorn Stitch:
- Work 5 double crochets into the same stitch.
- Remove hook from the loop.
- Insert hook into the top of the first double crochet.
- Pick up the dropped loop and pull it through.
- The 5 double crochets pop outward into a round, popcorn-like bump.
Popcorn vs. Bobble vs. Cluster:
| Stitch | Appearance | How It Differs |
|---|---|---|
| Popcorn | Rounded, puffy, 3D | Completed stitches are popped through the first stitch |
| Bobble | Oval, less round | Stitches are joined at the top but not popped through |
| Cluster | Pointed, triangular | Unfinished stitches joined at the top |
16. Bobble Stitch
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Similar to cluster but with a rounded top |
| English | Bobble stitch |
| Abbreviation | bob or mb |
| Use | Oval, textured bumps |
How to Make a Bobble Stitch (5-dc bobble):
- Work 5 incomplete double crochets into the same stitch (leave 2 loops on hook after each).
- You will have 6 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops.
- The stitches stack vertically into an oval bump.
17. 3 Double Crochet Cluster (3 dc cluster)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Three ┴ symbols meeting at a point at the top |
| English | 3 double crochet cluster |
| Abbreviation | 3-dc-cl |
| Use | Pointed, triangular bumps |
How to Make a 3 Double Crochet Cluster:
- Work 3 incomplete double crochets into the same stitch (leave 2 loops on hook after each).
- You will have 4 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
- The stitches join at the top into a point.
Comparison Table:
| Feature | Popcorn | Bobble | Cluster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Rounded, puffy | Oval, less round | Pointed, triangular |
| How joined | Pulled through first stitch | Pulled through all loops at top | Pulled through all loops at top |
| Number of stitches | Usually 5 | 3–5 | 3 |
| Difficulty | Medium | Easy | Easy |
18. Back Loop Only (BLO) Double Crochet
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ with a line through the top or a hook symbol |
| English | Back loop only double crochet |
| Abbreviation | dc BLO |
| Use | Ribbing, texture, folded edges |
How to Make Back Loop Only Double Crochet:
- Yarn over.
- Insert your hook into only the back loop of the stitch (the loop farthest from you).
- Complete a normal double crochet.
- The front loop remains untouched, creating a horizontal ridge.
19. Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ with a hook curving around the post |
| English | Front post double crochet |
| Abbreviation | FPdc |
| Use | Cables, basketweave, raised textures |
How to Make Front Post Double Crochet:
- Yarn over.
- Insert hook from front to back to front around the vertical post of the stitch in the row below (not through the top loops).
- Complete a normal double crochet.
- The stitch stands out in front of the work.
20. Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Symbol | ┴ with a hook curving behind the post |
| English | Back post double crochet |
| Abbreviation | BPdc |
| Use | Cables, basketweave, recessed textures |
How to Make Back Post Double Crochet:
- Yarn over.
- Insert hook from back to front to back around the vertical post of the stitch in the row below.
- Complete a normal double crochet.
- The stitch stands out in back of the work (or creates a recess on the front).
Part 3: Quick Reference Table (All Symbols)
| Symbol | Stitch | Abbreviation | Height | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭕ with tail | Magic ring | MR | — | Easy |
| • | Slip stitch | sl st | None | Easy |
| ○ | Chain | ch | 1 | Very easy |
| ✚ | Single crochet | sc | 1 | Easy |
| ┬ | Half double crochet | hdc | 2 | Easy |
| ┴ | Double crochet | dc | 3 | Easy |
| ┴┴ | Treble crochet | tr | 4 | Medium |
| ┴┴┴ | Double treble | dtr | 5 | Medium |
| ┴┴┴┴ | Triple treble | ttr | 6 | Medium |
| ∧ | Decrease (dc2tog) | dec | — | Medium |
| ∨ | Increase (2 dc in 1 st) | inc | — | Easy |
| ◯ with three lines | 3-ch picot | picot | — | Easy |
| 3 dc in ch sp | — | — | 3 | Easy |
| 3 dc in 1 st | — | — | 3 | Easy |
| Domed cluster | Popcorn | pop | 5 dc | Medium |
| Oval bump | Bobble | bob | 3–5 dc | Easy |
| Pointed triangle | 3-dc cluster | 3-dc-cl | 3 dc | Easy |
| ┴ with line | BLO dc | dc BLO | 3 | Easy |
| ┴ with front hook | FPdc | FPdc | 3 | Medium |
| ┴ with back hook | BPdc | BPdc | 3 | Medium |
Part 4: How to Read a Crochet Symbol Diagram
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Read bottom to top | The first row is at the bottom of the diagram |
| Read right to left (for rows) | Row 1: right to left. Row 2: left to right |
| Read counterclockwise (for rounds) | Start at the center, work outward |
| Symbols are to scale | Taller symbols (tr, dtr) take up more vertical space |
| Look for the starting point | Usually marked with an arrow or a star |
Part 5: Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing popcorn and bobble | Similar symbols | Popcorn has a loop at the top; bobble does not |
| BLO stitch looks like normal stitch | Inserted into both loops | Insert only under the back loop — hold the front loop out of the way |
| FPdc leans the wrong way | Inserted from the back | Always insert from front to back to front |
| Magic ring comes undone | Did not pull the tail after the first round | Work at least 6 stitches before pulling the tail tight |
| 3 dc in same stitch looks crowded | Tension too tight | Loosen slightly; the 3 stitches should fan out |
| Picot flops instead of standing | Pulled too tight | Keep the 3 chains loose |
Part 6: What to Make with These Stitches
| Stitch | Project Idea |
|---|---|
| Magic ring | Amigurumi animals, hats, coasters |
| Slip stitch | Seaming blanket squares, joining rounds |
| Single crochet | Sturdy bag, washcloth, amigurumi |
| Half double crochet | Baby blanket, beanie |
| Double crochet | Granny square blanket, sweater |
| Treble crochet | Lace shawl, lightweight scarf |
| Decrease | Hat crown, amigurumi shaping |
| Increase | Hat brim, circle motifs |
| Picot | Doily edge, handkerchief border |
| Popcorn | Textured pillow, winter hat |
| Bobble | Baby blanket, cowl |
| 3-dc cluster | Diamond motifs, textured throw |
| BLO | Ribbed cuffs, sweater hem |
| FPdc / BPdc | Cable sweater, basketweave blanket |
SEO Blog Post Optimization
| Meta Tag | Suggested Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Ultimate Crochet Symbols Cheat Sheet: Basic & Advanced Stitches |
| Meta Description | Free printable cheat sheet of 20+ crochet symbols including magic ring, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, treble, popcorn, bobble, cluster, BLO, FPdc, and BPdc. |
| URL slug | /crochet-symbols-cheat-sheet |
| Keywords | crochet symbols cheat sheet, magic ring symbol, popcorn vs bobble, front post double crochet, back loop only, 3 dc cluster, crochet chart symbols |
| Alt text for image | Crochet symbols cheat sheet by crochetpedia.com showing basic stitches (magic ring, slip stitch, chain, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dtr, ttr, decrease, increase) and advanced stitches (3-ch picot, 3 dc in chain space, 3 dc in stitch, popcorn, bobble, 3 dc cluster, BLO dc, FPdc, BPdc) |
Final Pro Tip: Print and Keep This Cheat Sheet
The best way to learn crochet symbols is to keep a printed copy next to your workspace. Every time you encounter an unfamiliar symbol, look it up on this cheat sheet. Within 2–3 projects, you will recognize most symbols without looking.
Summary: You Can Now Read 20+ Crochet Symbols
| Category | Stitches You Can Now Read |
|---|---|
| Basic stitches | Magic ring, slip stitch, chain, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dtr, ttr, decrease, increase |
| Decorative | 3-ch picot, 3 dc in chain space, 3 dc in stitch |
| Textured | Popcorn, bobble, 3-dc cluster |
| Post & loop | BLO dc, FPdc, BPdc |
Bookmark this guide and refer back whenever you encounter a crochet symbol chart. You now have the ultimate cheat sheet at your fingertips.
