Things I wish I'd known as a beginner - UK vs US stitch types

 

So you've got your kit together, you've got some yarn, you bought yourself a hook kit and you're absolutely raring to go. BUT you just want the answers to some of the important questions in crochet, right? Just as I did when I was starting out. 

Whether you're crocheting flat, or 'in the round' the key thing you'll absolutely need to know is what a 'single crochet' is - and why it's different in UK terms and US terms (in fact learning the difference between the two 'regional settings' for crochet will save you a lot of annoyance, heartache and unpicking when you start out). 

So let's talk about the humble single crochet, the absolutely vital foundation of most patterns you'll find on the internet or in crafting shops. 

I could try to write an explanation but it'll never be as effective as this single image, explaining the differences betwen UK and US stitches in the clearest terms possible 

(As found on www.woolcouturecompany.com)

Chain

A chain is a chain is a chain no matter where you go in the world. Chain stitches are the foundation stitches for 'flat' work but are also extremely useful in working in the round to add extra stitches or 'shape' to a circular piece of work. Chain effectively means "poke your hook through and yarn over, then pull through the stitch" (so a lot like a slip stitch really)

UK Double Crochet - US Single Crochet

This is where it gets funky. UK patterns call a single crochet stitch (SC) a 'Double Crochet' (those daft UK folk, always complicating things by adding an extra 'u' in the word colour, or calling Airplanes Aeroplanes. Tsk!) For me, a single crochet is 'poke the hook through your stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, then pull through the stitch to finish'. 

Slip Stitch

Again this one is like the chain stitch, and thankfully the same in UK and US terms. This is a useful stitch for joining two ends of a chain together, or just tidying up the start of a magic circle. Essentially, the slip stitch to me means 'put the hook through the stitch, pull up a loop, pull straight through the stitch'

UK Treble Crochet - US Double Crochet

Ah, the humble Treble / Double crochet stitch, useful for adding bulk to a stitch. Regardless of the terminology, this stitch always begins with a yarn over. Then you poke the hook through your stitch to bring up a loop. Yarn over again, and pull the loop through two of the three stitches on your hook, before yarning over a final time to complete the stitch and pull completely through. 

UK Half Treble - US Half Double

This is a slightly easier stitch than the one above, though it begins in the same way. Yarn over first, insert the hook into your next stitch, pull through a loop, yarn over again but this time pull your loop through all the loops on the hook. This has a distinctly different 'look' to the Treble / Double crochet but is a great way for adding shorter neater bulkier stitches to something crocheted in the round or in the flat for added texture. 

UK Double Treble / Triple Treble - US Treble Crochet / Double Treble

Like the Treble or Double crochet stitches, these begin with a yarn over. Then pull the loop through, yarn over again, pull through one or two of the loops on your hook (depending on whether you're going for a double or triple) then yarn over again, pull through the next, yarn over AGAIN, then pull through to complete. Phew! Worth checking out good youtube videos for these: Episode 177: Double Treble Crochet Stitch (dtr) - YouTube and How To: Crochet A Triple Treble Crochet (UK Terms) | Easy Tutorial by Hopeful Honey - YouTube

Knowing the difference between UK and US in your patterns or crochet planning will be vital as your work will look decidedly weird if you mix these up (for me, short arms on Amigurumi pieces were the common symptom of assuming a pattern meant 'single crochet' rather than double!!)