Charts and Technical Stuff
This section is aimed at providing all those little bits you are constantly googling to find out. You can now just bookmark this instead!
There is a huge range of information which I could include here but I want to keep it to the really useful stuff.
If you’re looking for something you don’t see here, try visiting my Pinterest board: Crochet Resources and Infographics which is where I collect all these useful little tit-bits when I’m looking for something specific!
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for then drop me a line – the chances are you won’t be alone!
I want to start by saying that you can find a huge amount of information from the Yarn Craft Council site and I have linked to them a lot rather than reproducing their data!
Stitches and Abbreviations
Click here for the full Yarn Craft Council Abbreviations which are applicable to US Terms only.
Below is a comparison of the basic US and UK Crochet Stitches.
| Stitch – US Terms (abbreviation) | Stitch – UK Terms (abbreviation) |
| Chain (ch) | Chain (ch) |
| Single Crochet (sc) | Double Crochet (dc) |
| Half Double Crochet (hdc) | Half treble (htr) |
| Double Crochet (dc) | Treble (tr) |
| Treble Crochet (tr) | Double Treble (dtr) |
| Slip Stitch (ss) | Slip Stitch (sl st) |
You can see more crochet stitches including their US and UK terminology in my Crochet Stitch Directory.
Understanding Crochet Patterns & Charts
This is a really useful guide on how to read crochet patterns. For the beginner it can seem like another language but take it step by step and you will get there!
I have also written more extensively about how to read a Dora Does crochet pattern, based on my writing style (though this will help you read any pattern), and what to expect from a quality pattern. The latter article is also helpful if you are looking to start writing your own patterns.
These articles will be really helpful, whether you are just beginning your pattern reading journey or have been reading then for a while. There is always something new to learn!
Some crochet patterns come with stitch diagrams, or stitch charts too. These can be overhwheming but you can access the Yarn Craft Council’s Crochet Chart Symbols here. These will help you whether you are trying to read a chart or create one!
Yarn Weight
Yarn weight relates to the thickness of your yarn rather than what it measures on a scale! You can read a more detailed explanation of yarn weight in this post. It goes into detail about what weight is, how it’s measured, explains the common terms.
It busts some common myths about yarn weight and clears up the many grey areas there are surrounding it!
Crochet Hook Sizes and Yarn Weight
In Crochet there are not only US and UK stitch terms but also US and UK hook sizes, though metric (mm) sizes are used most often in modern patterns. Find a comparison of the sizes here.
When I started crocheting I was so confused about what hook sizes should be used with what yarn. The ball band said one thing and the pattern another. The truth is, the size of hook you use depends on a multitude of factors and there is no one size fits all answer (like most things in crochet!).
Click here to find a chart giving a guide of hook size by weight and the factors to consider when choosing your hook.
Standard People Sizes
Note that all ‘standard’ measurements given in this section, and on all of Dora Does are a general guide only – particularly age related sizing. We are all different shapes and sizes so where possible, I recommend you measure the intended recipient of your crochet project to get an accurate size to aim for.
‘Standard’ Body Measurements
General size charts for men, women and children are incredibly useful when grading items to fit. Although one size never fits all and we are all different shapes and sizes, as a designer, they give us somewhere to start.
In all my designs, I refer to the Yarn Craft Council standard body measurements(yes, them again!) as my first port of call, but wherever possible, I give guidance for customisation.
You can learn in some more detail about crocheting garments that fit in this post, including additional sizing guidance
Hat and head sizing
I have written extensively about how to size crochet hats and put together a full guide so you never crochet an ill fitting hat again!
Once you have your gauge, there will be no more experimenting with head sizes and measuring flat circles!
Learn more about hat sizing here.
Hands and sizing for gloves
This is a bit of a tricky one to get right as there is is much individual difference.
However, I have collated some size guides from various sources. Click here for information about hand sizing for Gloves / Mitts