20 Essential Crochet Terms Every Beginner Should Know

Crochet gets so much easier once you know the lingo. Instead of stopping mid-row to puzzle over a pattern, you’ll glide through each step and have more time for the fun part—actually making something with your own two hands.

That’s why I pulled together this list of 20 must-know crochet terms for beginners. Think of it as your go-to vocabulary guide—the words and phrases you’ll see again and again as you grow in your crochet journey. With these basics on hand, you’ll feel more confident reading patterns, following tutorials, and building new skills one stitch at a time.

Getting Started and Finishing

These simple terms cover the basics of starting and wrapping up your crochet projects. From fastening off to weaving in ends, they’re the little steps that make your work secure and polished.

// Fasten Off:

Cut the yarn and lift the last loop up and out of your work so your project doesn’t unravel.

// Weave in Ends:

Using a yarn needle to tuck yarn tails into your stitches for a clean finish. PRO TIP: Use a metal tapestry needle to make weaving in ends a breeze.

// Work Over Tails:

Instead of weaving in ends later, crochet over the yarn tails as you stitch. This hides them as you go.

// Work in Pattern:

Continue following the stitch sequence that’s already been set. For example, if the row alternates single and double crochet, you’ll keep that pattern going.

Working Rows and Rounds

Once you’ve made your first chain, these terms help you keep your project moving. They explain how to turn at the end of a row, start with the right height, join rounds neatly, and even work into the sides of stitches for borders.

// Turning Your Work:

Rotate your piece 180 degrees at the end of a row so you can work across the opposite side.

// Turning Chain (Tch):

The chain(s) made at the start of a row to bring your yarn up to the correct height for the stitches in that row.

// Slip Stitch to Join:

A way to close a round of stitches. Insert your hook into the first stitch of the round, yarn over, and pull through all loop on your hook.

// Work Into Row Ends:

Instead of stitching into the top of stitches, you insert your hook along the side edges of a row—often used when adding a border.

Shaping and Adjustments

These terms come into play when you want your crochet to be more than just a flat square. Increasing and decreasing help shape projects like hats, sleeves, or amigurumi by adding or removing stitches. A chain multiple tells you exactly how long to make your starting chain so the stitch pattern works out correctly. And learning about gauge and tension makes sure your finished piece turns out the right size. Together, these basics give you control over the fit, shape, and look of your projects.

// Increase (inc):

Add stitches by working two or more stitches into the same stitch.

// Decrease (dec):

Remove stitches by working two stitches together (like “sc2tog”).

// Chain Multiple of X + Y:

A way of calculating the starting chain. Example: “multiple of 4 + 2” means to chain any multiple of 4, THEN add 2 more chains.

// Gauge/Tension:

Gauge is the number of stitches and rows in a measured space, usually 4″. Tension is how tightly or loosely you crochet. Both affect the size and fit of your project. Learn more about why gauge is important and how to adjust it in THIS blog post!

Stitch Placement

Where you put your hook matters just as much as the stitch you’re making. Sometimes you’ll work into a single loop at the top of a stitch (BLO/FLO), skip a stitch completely, or use a chain space instead of a stitch. Other times, you’ll wrap around the post of a stitch to create raised textures. These placement choices change the look and feel of your fabric, giving you lots of ways to add variety to your projects.

// Back Loop Only (BLO) / Front Loop Only (FLO):

Instead of working under both loops of a stitch, insert your hook into just the back or front loop for different textures.

// Skip Next Stitch:

Simply pass over the next stitch in your row and continue in the one after it.

// Chain Space:

An open gap created by chains in a row or round. Patterns often tell you to work “into the chain space” instead of a stitch.

// Work Around the Post:

Instead of working into the top of a stitch, you crochet around the vertical part (the post). This is how you make textured cables and raised stitches. You can crochet around the front of the post (fp = front post), or about the back of the post (bp = back post).

Bringing It All Together

You’ve just learned 20 of the most useful crochet terms—consider this your starter vocabulary for the world of crochet. With these basics in your pocket, you’ll be able to follow patterns, understand tutorials, and start your first projects with confidence.

If you learn best by watching, head over to my Learn to Crochet video where I walk you through the very first steps—holding your hook, making a slip knot, and starting a chain. Pair that tutorial with this list, and you’ll have everything you need to begin crocheting with ease.

Ready to keep going? Don’t miss my full post on How to Read Crochet Patterns. It’s the perfect next step to put your new knowledge into action.

And if you’re still scratching your head about something, no worries—drop your questions in the comments. I’d love to help!

Know any crochet terms that aren’t on this list? Let’s start a crochet vocab list in the comments! Share your favorite crochet terms below.