CROCHET SYMBOLS

The secret language of crochet (picture from ObeyChrochet)

UPDATE

I am taking part in this great crochet translation project over at oombawkadesigncrochet.com

so many languages already to be found there and if yours isn´t one of them write Rhonda an email and add yours and help to make this even a greater project.

Hence I did the icelandic translation

If you master these hieroglyphs universal language of chrochet anything is possible. It doesn´t matter what language you speak, speak this and any pattern with diagramm is yours. I always fancied the ancient egypt with their pharaoh and hieroglyphs. I wanted to learn that language and understand those symbols. But as I grew older, I realiced it´s not so easy and they don´t really know what some of the symbols mean, not even the egyptian penpal I had (just for this purpose ;)). Ah well, I did get the modern arabic alphabet and I do know that one and can write my name and some words, that´s pretty cool too. 

Looking at this "crochet alphabet" I always have to think about the pharaohs and all the mystery sign alphabets out there. This kinda rocks and who knows, maybe the egypt hieroglyphs where just crochet symbols and on those walls are those great patterns for their cool outfits, sphinx and I bet alot of kitties and headpieces too. 

Anyway. Since not everyone is familiar with the meaning of those symbols I drew up some of the most used ones and if you need a video on how to make one of those, there is a video tutorial from various youtube crochet canals.

I´m also adding the name of each stich in US English, UK English (if different to US), German (DE) and Icelandic (IS), since these are the languages of you guys :) 

Update: More languages added: Dutch (NL), French (FR) , Spanish (ES) and Danish (DK) 

To see a video demonstration of each stich, click matching links (videos are in english)

Update! Scroll down for help in understanding japanese and russian patterns

US/UK:chain (ch)
DE:Luftmasche (lm)
IS:loftlykkja (ll)
NL:ketting/losse (l)
FR:ml = maille en l’air
ES:cad = cadeneta
DK:luftmaske

mostly drawn as a circle, sometimes as - 

US/UK:slip stich(sl st)
DE:Kettmasche(km)
IS:keðjulykkja(kl)
NL:halve vaste (hv)
FR:mc = maille coulée
ES:pr = punto raso
DK: kædemaske

a dot or a oval dot

US:single crochet (sc)
DE:feste Masche (fM)
IS:fastapinni/fastalykkja/fastamaski (fp/fl/fm)
UK:double crochet (dc)
NL:vaste (v)
FR:ms = maille serrée
ES:pb = punto bajo
DK:fastmaske

shown as x or +

US:half double crochet (hdc) 
DE:halbes Stäbchen 
IS:hálfur stuðull (hst)
UK:half treble crochet)
NL:half stokje (hs)
FR:db = demi-bride
ES:mpa = medio punto alto
DK: halv stangmaske

US:double crochet (dc)
DE:Stäbchen
IS:stuðull (st)
UK:half treble crochet
NL:stokje (st)
FR:b = bride
ES:pa = punto alto
DK:stangmaske

US:triple crochet (tr)
DE:doppeltes Stäbchen 
IS:tvöfaldur stuðull
UK:double treble crochet
NL:dubbel stokje (dst)
DK:dobbelt stangmaske

US:double triple crochet (dtr)

DE:dreifach Stäbchen 

IS:þrefaldur stuðull 

UK:treble crochet

DK: tredobbelt stangmaske 

US:sc in front loop only (flo)

DE:Luftmasche in vordere Masche 

IS:fp í fremri lykkju 

UK:dc in front loop only

NL:front post = stokje voorlangs

US:sc in back loop only (blo) - 

DE:Luftmasche in hintere Masche - 

IS:fp í aftari lykkju 

UK:dc in back loop only

NL:back post = stokje achterlangs

this type is mostly drawn with a lighter colour

US:front post double crochet (FPdc) 

DE:Stäbchen in vordere Masche 

IS:Stuðull í fremri lykkju 

UK:dc = UK treble crochet

US:back post double crochet (BPdc)

DE:Stäbchen in hintere Masche 

IS:Stuðull í aftari lykkju

Some other stiches are shown below

V-stich (V-st)

crossed double crochet

shell (of 3dc)

picot (ch3, sl st) - hnútur)

cluster (of 3dc)
NL: netwerk

US:reverse sc / crab stich 
IS:krabbaspor
FR: ms inversée
ES: punto cangrejo

puff stich (of 4 dc)

popcorn stich (of 5 dc)

bobble stich (of 5 loops)

loop stich

long stich or spike

Japanese and Russian Patterns

Picture source Pinterest

Japanese Terms for Numbers, yarn etc.

Guide to read japanese patterns

Picture Source Wikimedia

Russian - English Crochet terms

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