Crochet Stitches for Beginners: UK and US Terms Explained
If you're new to crochet, one of the most confusing things you'll notice is that crochet stitches have different names in the UK and the US.
The good news is that the stitches themselves are the same, only the names are different.
In Stitch School, I'll guide you through the most common beginner crochet stitches step-by-step, explaining both UK and US terms so you can confidently follow patterns from anywhere in the world.
Each lesson includes clear explanations, step-by-step tutorials and beginner-friendly guidance to help you practise and build your skills.
Understanding UK vs US Crochet Terms
Many crochet patterns are written using either UK terminology or US terminology. This can be confusing at first, but once you understand the differences it becomes very easy to follow any crochet pattern.
Here are some of the most common stitches and how they translate between UK and US terms.
Common Crochet Stitch Terms (UK vs US)
Beginner Crochet Stitches Explained
Now that you understand the difference between UK and US crochet terms, let's look at the most common beginner crochet stitches.
These are the stitches you'll see in many beginner patterns, and they form the foundation of most crochet projects.
In Stitch School, we'll learn each stitch, step-by-step, so you can confidently follow patterns written in either UK or US terminology.
1. Double Crochet (US: Single Crochet)
The double crochet (UK) known as single crochet in US terminology, is one of the most important beginner crochet stitches.
It creates a dense, neat fabric and is commonly used in projects like amigurumi, blankets, scarves and beginner crochet squares.
Because the stitches are compact and easy to control, this is often one of the first stitches beginners learn after mastering the basic chain.
In the video below, I'll show you how to do the double crochet (US: single crochet) stitch, nice and slowly so you can see how the stitched is formed.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Double Crochet
2. Half Treble Crochet (US: Half Double Crochet)
The half treble crochet (UK) is known as half double crochet in US terminology and is another essential beginner crochet stitch.
It creates a slightly taller stitch than double crochet, giving your fabric a little more height while still keeping a nice, dense texture. This stitch is commonly used in projects like blankets, scarves and simple beginner patterns because it works up quickly while still looking neat and tidy.
In the video below, I'll show you how to crochet the half treble (US: half double crochet) stitch slowly so you can clearly see how each step is formed.
VIDEO GOES IN HERE FOR HALF TREBLE CROCHET
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Half Treble Crochet
3. Treble Crochet (US: Double Crochet)
The treble crochet (UK) is known as double crochet in US terminology and is a taller stitch that creates a more open and flexible fabric. Because the stitch has extra height, projects that are made using treble crochet tend to work up more quickly than the shorter stitches.
This stitch can be used in blankets, scarves and clothing where a lighter texture is desired or more drape.
In the video below, I'll show you how to crochet the treble (US: double crochet) stitch step-by-step so you can clearly see how the stitch is built.
VIDEO GOES IN HERE FOR TREBLE CROCHET
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Treble Crochet
4. Double Treble Crochet (US: Treble Crochet)
The double treble crochet (UK) — known as treble crochet in US terminology — is a very tall crochet stitch that creates a loose, open fabric. Because the stitch has multiple yarn overs, it produces longer stitches that add height and texture to crochet projects.
Double treble crochet is often used in lacy patterns, decorative stitches and lightweight crochet designs.
In the video below, I'll show you how to crochet the double treble (US: treble crochet) stitch slowly so you can clearly see how each step is formed.
VIDEO GOES IN HERE FOR TREBLE CROCHET
Prefer to watch on Youtube? Watch It Here.
Read the full tutorial: Double Treble Crochet
Ready to practise your new stitches?
Now that you have learnt some basic stitches beyond the double crochet (US: single crochet) why not practise the taller stitches on a beginner friendly dishcloth pattern.
Beginner Crochet Dishcloth (Practise Half Treble & Treble Stitches)
In the video below, I'll show you how to crochet a simple dishcloth using the stitches you've just learned in Stitch School.
This beginner-friendly project is perfect for practising half treble crochet and treble crochet, (US: half double, double crochet) helping you get comfortable working rows and maintaining even stitch height.
Because these stitches are taller, your project will grow more quickly and you'll start to see how different crochet stitches create different textures in your fabric.
If your stitches feel a little uneven while you're practising, don't worry as that's completely normal when you're learning. The more you crochet, the more consistent your stitches will become.
VIDEO OF PRACTISE PROJECT
Prefer to watch on Youtube? Watch it here.
Download the printable dishcloth pattern inside my free Learning Library below.
