Crochet patterns use three main languages: written abbreviations, row-by-row instructions, and symbol diagrams. Symbol diagrams are the most universal — a crocheter from Japan, Russia, Mexico, or the UK can all read the same chart without translation.
In this guide, you will learn:
- The full meaning of 30+ crochet symbols
- English and Spanish names for each stitch
- How to read front post, back post, and loop-only stitches
- Decrease, cluster, popcorn, and fan symbols
- Step-by-step how-to for every symbol
Part 1: Basic Stitch Symbols (English)
| Symbol | English Name | Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ○ or ● | Chain stitch | ch | Foundation stitch; creates loops and turning chains |
| ● (solid dot) | Slip stitch | sl st | Joins rounds; moves yarn invisibly |
| ✚ | Single crochet | sc | Shortest, densest stitch |
| ┬ | Half double crochet | hdc | Medium height; soft drape |
| ┴ | Double crochet | dc | Most common stitch; chain 3 turning |
| ┴ with 1 bar | Treble crochet | tr | Tall stitch; chain 4 turning |
| ┴ with 2 bars | Double treble | dtr | Very tall; chain 5 turning |
Part 2: Loop-Only Stitches (Front Loop / Back Loop Only)
Working into only the front loop or only the back loop creates a visible ridge or ribbed texture. This is especially useful for cuffs, heels of socks, and folded edges.
Spanish & English Comparison (from your second image)
| Symbol | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| ✚ (loop symbol) | Medio punto tomando solo la hebra de atrás o de adelante | Single crochet in back loop only (sc BLO) or front loop only (sc FLO) |
| ┬ (loop symbol) | Medio punto vareta tomando solo la hebra de atrás o de adelante | Half double crochet in back loop only (hdc BLO) or front loop only (hdc FLO) |
| ┴ (loop symbol) | Punto vareta tomando solo la hebra de atrás o de adelante | Double crochet in back loop only (dc BLO) or front loop only (dc FLO) |
How to Work in Back Loop Only (BLO)
- Insert hook under only the back loop of the stitch (the loop farthest from you).
- Complete the stitch as normal (sc, hdc, dc, etc.).
- The front loop remains untouched, creating a horizontal ridge.
How to Work in Front Loop Only (FLO)
- Insert hook under only the front loop of the stitch (the loop closest to you).
- Complete the stitch as normal.
- The back loop remains untouched, creating a different textured ridge.
SEO Tip: Back loop only crochet is essential for ribbing, sock cuffs, and amigurumi clothing details.
Part 3: Front Post & Back Post Stitches (English & Spanish)
Post stitches wrap around the vertical body of the stitch below, not the top loops. This creates raised cables, basketweave textures, and elastic ribbing.
Front Post Stitches (from your second image)
| Symbol | Spanish | English | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✚ with hook | Medio punto tomado por delante | Front post single crochet | FPsc |
| ┬ with hook | Media vareta tomada por delante | Front post half double crochet | FPhdc |
| ┴ with hook | Punto vareta tomado por delante | Front post double crochet | FPdc |
| ┴ with 1 bar + hook | Punto vareta doble tomado por delante | Front post treble crochet | FPtr |
Back Post Stitches
| Symbol | Spanish | English | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✚ with back hook | Medio punto tomado por atrás | Back post single crochet | BPsc |
| ┬ with back hook | Media vareta tomada por atrás | Back post half double crochet | BPhdc |
| ┴ with back hook | Punto vareta tomado por atrás | Back post double crochet | BPdc |
How to Make a Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)
- Yarn over (yo).
- Insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch in the row below (not through the top loops).
- Complete a normal double crochet.
How to Make a Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc)
- Yarn over (yo).
- Insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the stitch below.
- Complete a normal double crochet.
SEO Tip: Front post and back post stitches are the foundation of crochet cables, basketweave, and mock ribbing.
Special Variation: “Behind” Stitches (from your second image)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Medio punto tomado por delante tomando una vuelta más abajo | Front post single crochet one row below (deeper post stitch) |
| Medio punto tomado por atrás tomando una vuelta más abajo | Back post single crochet one row below |
These “behind” or “deeper” stitches create even more dramatic texture by skipping one row before wrapping the post.
Part 4: Decrease Stitches (2 stitches together)
Decreases reduce the stitch count, shaping your project.
| Symbol | English Name | Abbreviation | How To |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✚ with slant | Single crochet 2 together | sc2tog | Insert into first st, pull up loop; insert into second st, pull up loop; yo through all 3 loops |
| ┴ with slant | Double crochet 2 together | dc2tog | Yo, insert into first st, pull up loop, yo through 2; repeat for second st; yo through all 3 loops |
| ┴ with 2 slants | Double crochet 3 together | dc3tog | Work 3 unfinished dc, then yo through all 4 loops |
| ✚ with 2 slants | Single crochet 3 together | sc3tog | Work 3 unfinished sc, then yo through all 4 loops |
| ┴ with “2st dec” | 2-stitch decrease (generic) | dec | General decrease symbol |
Special Decrease: Decrease dc / 2st decreasedc (from your first image)
Your chart shows both “decrease dc” and “2st decreasedc” — these are likely the same (dc2tog) or a specific decrease where two stitches become one in double crochet.
SEO Tip: Decreases are critical for hats, amigurumi, shawls, and garment shaping.
Part 5: Cluster, Shell, Popcorn & Fan Stitches
These are multiple stitches worked into the same space or joined at the top to create decorative textures.
| Symbol / Name | English | Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3dc cluster | 3 double crochet cluster | 3dc-cl | 3 unfinished dc worked into same st, joined at the top |
| 3hdc cluster | 3 half double crochet cluster | 3hdc-cl | 3 unfinished hdc joined at the top |
| 5dc shell | 5 double crochet shell | 5dc shell | 5 dc worked into the same stitch or space |
| 5dc popcorn | 5 double crochet popcorn | 5dc pop | 5 dc worked into same st, then joined at the top and closed |
| Fan | Fan stitch | fan | Multiple dc (often 5, 7, or 9) worked into same st, spreading outward |
How to Make a 3dc Cluster
- Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up loop, yo through 2 (leave 2 loops on hook).
- Repeat step 1 two more times into the same stitch (4 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
How to Make a 5dc Shell
- Work 5 double crochets into the same stitch or chain space.
- Do not join them at the top — they remain separate, fanning outward.
SEO Tip: Clusters create dense, textured motifs. Shells create scalloped edges, perfect for baby blankets and shawls.
Part 6: Special Stitches & Symbols
Picot (ch3 picot)
| Symbol | Name | How To |
|---|---|---|
| Small circle or dot with 3 chains | ch3 picot | Chain 3, then slip stitch into the first chain (or into the base of the stitch) |
Crossed Stitches
| Symbol | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2 crossed dc | 2 crossed double crochet | Two dc that cross each other (skip one st, dc in next, then dc in skipped st behind the first) |
| 2 crossed dc w/ch | 2 crossed double crochet with chain | Crossed dc with a chain between them |
V-stitch
| Symbol | Name | How To |
|---|---|---|
| Two diagonal lines meeting at bottom | V-stitch | (Dc, ch 1, dc) all in the same stitch |
SEO Tip: V-stitches create beautiful open lace patterns perfect for shawls and summer tops.
Part 7: Working in the Round & Direction Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spiral or circle | Magic loop / Magic ring | Adjustable starting ring for crocheting in the round (no hole) |
| Arrow on a curved path | Direction of work (dirofwork) | Shows which way to read the chart (bottom to top, right to left, or counterclockwise) |
| Bullet point or bar | Beginning of work | Where to start the pattern |
| Blunt end line | End / Bind off | Cut yarn and pull through final loop |
How to Make a Magic Loop
- 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.
SEO Tip: The magic loop eliminates the hole in the center of hats, amigurumi, and coasters.
Part 8: Quick Reference Tables
Basic Stitches (English)
| Stitch | Symbol | Abbr | Turning Chain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | ○ | ch | N/A |
| Slip stitch | ● | sl st | 0 |
| Single crochet | ✚ | sc | ch 1 |
| Half double crochet | ┬ | hdc | ch 2 |
| Double crochet | ┴ | dc | ch 3 |
| Treble | ┴ with 1 bar | tr | ch 4 |
| Double treble | ┴ with 2 bars | dtr | ch 5 |
Decreases & Clusters (English)
| Symbol | Name | Abbr |
|---|---|---|
| sc2tog | Single crochet 2 together | sc2tog |
| sc3tog | Single crochet 3 together | sc3tog |
| dc2tog | Double crochet 2 together | dc2tog |
| dc3tog | Double crochet 3 together | dc3tog |
| 3dc cluster | 3 double crochet cluster | 3dc-cl |
| 5dc shell | 5 double crochet shell | shell |
| 5dc popcorn | 5 double crochet popcorn | popcorn |
Front/Back Post Stitches (English & Spanish)
| English | Spanish | Symbol Type |
|---|---|---|
| Front post single crochet | Medio punto por delante | ✚ with front hook |
| Back post single crochet | Medio punto por atrás | ✚ with back hook |
| Front post half double crochet | Media vareta por delante | ┬ with front hook |
| Back post half double crochet | Media vareta por atrás | ┬ with back hook |
| Front post double crochet | Punto vareta por delante | ┴ with front hook |
| Back post double crochet | Punto vareta por atrás | ┴ with back hook |
Part 9: How to Read a Crochet Symbol Diagram (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 — Find the Beginning
Look for “beginning of work” symbol (often a small arrow, star, or labeled bar). For flat work, start at the bottom right.
Step 2 — Follow the Direction of Work
Your chart has “dirofwork” (direction of work) arrows:
- Flat crochet (rows): Read row 1 right to left, row 2 left to right, alternating.
- Circular crochet: Read from the center outward, counterclockwise.
Step 3 — Identify Each Symbol
Match each symbol to the stitch name using the tables above. Work stitches into the positions shown below the symbols (not above).
Step 4 — Handle Special Symbols
- Decreases (sc2tog, dc2tog): Work two stitches into one.
- Clusters: Work multiple unfinished stitches, then join.
- Post stitches (FPdc, BPdc): Wrap around the post, not the top loops.
Step 5 — End the Work
When you see the “end/bindoff” symbol, cut your yarn, pull through the last loop, and weave in ends.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Front/back post stitch looks flat | Did not wrap around the post | Insert hook around the vertical body, not through the top V |
| BLO stitch has no ridge | Worked through both loops by accident | Insert under only one loop — hold the other loop out of the way |
| Magic loop comes undone | Pulled the tail before securing the first round | Work 5–6 stitches in the ring before pulling the tail |
| Cluster looks like separate stitches | Did not join at the top | After the last unfinished stitch, yo and pull through all loops at once |
| Crossed dc not crossing | Worked in wrong order | Skip one st, dc in next, then dc in skipped st behind the first dc |
Part 10: SEO Blog Post Optimization
If you are publishing this as a blog post, use these SEO elements:
| Meta Tag | Suggested Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Ultimate Crochet Symbol Guide: 30+ Stitches Decoded (English & Spanish) |
| Meta Description | Learn to read crochet symbols for sc, dc, hdc, front post, back post, clusters, shells, decreases, and magic loop. Includes English & Spanish names. |
| URL slug | /crochet-symbol-guide-english-spanish |
| Keywords | crochet symbols, how to read crochet diagrams, front post double crochet, back post loop only, sc2tog, dc2tog, magic loop, cluster stitch, shell stitch, Spanish crochet terms |
| Alt text for images | Crochet symbol chart showing single crochet, double crochet, front post, back post, decrease, cluster, shell, and magic loop symbols |
Final Pro Tip: Practice with a Sampler
Print your two images and keep them next to you while crocheting this sampler swatch:
Round 1 (magic loop): 12 dc in magic loop (practice magic ring)
Round 2: (2 dc in each st) — 24 dc total
Row 3 (BLO): Ch 1, sc BLO across (practice back loop only)
Row 4 (FPdc): Ch 2, FPdc around each sc below (practice front post)
Row 5 (BPdc): Ch 2, BPdc around each FPdc below (practice back post)
Row 6 (decrease): Ch 1, sc2tog across (practice decreasing)
Row 7 (shell): Ch 3, (5 dc shell, skip 1 st) repeat across
Row 8 (cluster): Ch 2, (3dc cluster, ch 1) repeat across
This single swatch uses 10+ symbols from your chart.
Summary: You Can Now Read Any Crochet Symbol Chart
| Skill | Status |
|---|---|
| Identify basic stitches (sc, hdc, dc, tr, dtr) | ✅ |
| Work in front loop only / back loop only (BLO/FLO) | ✅ |
| Work front post and back post stitches (FPdc, BPdc) | ✅ |
| Make decreases (sc2tog, dc2tog, dc3tog) | ✅ |
| Make clusters, shells, and popcorn stitches | ✅ |
| Use a magic loop for no-hole starting rings | ✅ |
| Understand crossed stitches and V-stitches | ✅ |
| Read direction of work arrows on any diagram | ✅ |
| Translate between English and Spanish crochet terms | ✅ |
Bookmark this guide and refer back whenever you encounter an unfamiliar symbol. Crochet charts are now your superpower.
