Crochet Symbols
Below are all the crochet stitches and their symbols. 
Crochet Stitches & Symbols
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Crochet Abbreviations
Crochet patterns use a large variety of abbreviations. Here are the most common and what they mean:
YO or yo (Yarn Over)- To yarn over means to bring the yarn over the hook of your crochet hook so that the hook can catch the yarn and draw it through the loop. Literally, bring the yarn over the hook.
ch-chain stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
tc_ treble crochet
st(s)- stitch(es)
sl st- slip stitch
sk- skip
dec- decrease
inc- increase
sc2tog- single crochet two stitches togehter
Easy Guide to Yarn Weights
Yarn is divided by weight, or how many stitches in a gauge of 4 inches. The thinner the yarn, the more stitches in the gauge. The thicker the yarn, the less stitches in the gauge.
- Super Bulky/Super Chunky (4-11 stitches for 4 inches)- These yarns yield the fastest projects with the fewest number of stitches.
- Bulky/Chunky (12-15 stitches for 4 inches)- These yarns are used for scarves, afghans, and other projects.
- Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)- These are the most popular weight yarns for a variety of projects.
- Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)- These yarns are often used for lighter, summer-weight garments and many baby items.
- Fine (23-26 stitches to 4 inches)- These yarns are used for more intricate patterns and for projects such as socks.
- Super Fine (27-32 stitches to 4 inches)- These light yarns are used for baby items.
- Lace (33-40 stitches to 4 inches)- 10-count crochet thread used for lace projects.
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More on Yarns
The length and quality of the fiber in a yarn determines its texture, luster, strength and hand. Knitting yarn made from long fibers will pill less, be smoother, stronger, more lustrous and more elastic. Yarns containing a mixture of fiber lengths are softer, fuzzier and less strong. Tightly twisted yarns display the texture of a pattern to its best advantage.
ANIMAL YARNS:
Wool yarn comes from a domesticated sheep. Wool accepts dye well, is flame-retardant by nature, remains warm even when wet, sheds water better than other yarns. Natural wool should be hand-washed. ‘Superwash’ wool has been treated to allow machine washing. Wool will usually resume its proper shape when washed correctly; if it is mistreated and washed in too-hot water, it will shrink or felt.
Mohair yarn comes from an Angora goat. Mohair is durable, sheds dirt, dyes well and does not felt easily. Despite its hardiness, it is usually spun into knitting yarn used for fluffy garments and scarves. This knitting yarn is abraded, roughing its fibers to create that ‘fuzzy’ look.
Angora yarn comes from rabbits. Fabric made from this yarn is inelastic (no stretch), very fluffy, soft and warm.
Silk is the yarn produced by silk moths. Silk knitting yarn is made from damaged silk cocoons and broken fibers. ‘Raw’ silk still has the original moth secretions in it. ‘Tussah,’ silk obtained from wild moths is brown. The food fed to domesticated moths determines their silk’s natural color; this can white, green or yellow. Silk retains heat, absorbs moisture, pills less than wool, is very strong and very stable when knit, neither shrinking or stretching.
Cashmere yarn comes from the undercoat of a Cashmere goat. It is so expensive because only a few ounces are obtained from each goat per year. It is such a delicate yarn, more fragile than wool and more susceptible to abrasion, that it is usually blended with wool to make it more durable.
Alpaca Like cashmere, angora, and mohair, alpaca is a luxury fiber that is available in very limited quantities. Actually, most alpaca fleece goes into the production of tops which are used in blends with other fibers. One hundred percent alpaca garments are much rarer. For these reasons, alpaca is expensive. Like other luxury fiber garments, alpaca knitwear should be dry-cleaned or hand washed in cold water and dried flat.
VEGETABLE YARNS:
Cotton yarn comes from the surrounding of the seeds in a cotton pod. Cotton is heavy, dense and inelastic; although it will regain its shape after washing, its ability to do so decreases over time. It is comfortable to wear in a cool climate but not a hot one (the opposite of wool) and is slow to dry once wetted. It makes a weaker knitting yarn than silk or linen but is stronger than wool.
Linen yarn comes from the flax plant. It is durable and stronger than any other yarn. It absorbs moisture better than cotton and dries more quickly, making it more comfortable to wear than cotton in hot temperatures. It is easier to wash than wool and does not stretch or shrink.
Ramie yarn is made from nettles. It is often used as a substitute for linen since it is less expensive but shares linen’s good qualities.
Rayon is a yarn produced from natural ingredients by artificial means.
Rayon yarn is a weak fiber but it is absorbent, dries quickly, and stretches (although it does recover some when dried in a automatic dryer.)
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Types of Yarns for Knitting or Crochet
Different fibers of yarn will result in completely different results in your piece or garment. You want to be familiar with the different kinds of yarn fiber and how they will work in a knitting or crochet project.
Synthetic Fibers
Nylon, rayon, acrylic, viscose, and polyester are all synthetic fibers that appear in yarn. 100 % acrylic yarn is a common choice as it is the most inexpensive yarn. This makes acrylic yarn a good choice for those just learning how to knit or crochet.
Nylon, rayon, acrylic, viscose, and polyester are all synthetic fibers that appear in yarn. 100 % acrylic yarn is a common choice as it is the most inexpensive yarn. This makes acrylic yarn a good choice for those just learning how to knit or crochet.
Blends
Many yarns blend different natural fibers, synthetic fibers or natural fibers with synthetic fibers, such as for a softer feel. If you want to felt your knitted or crochet project, you must ensure the yarn is at least 80% wool, but the other 20% can be synthetic.
Many yarns blend different natural fibers, synthetic fibers or natural fibers with synthetic fibers, such as for a softer feel. If you want to felt your knitted or crochet project, you must ensure the yarn is at least 80% wool, but the other 20% can be synthetic.
Natural Fibers
Cotton- Made from cotton plants, many types of cotton yarn are treated with chemicals to make them more durable, mildew resistant, and able to accept dyes better. Some environmental concerns have been raised with traditional cotton production though.
Wool- Many different kinds of wool exist and are spun into yarns with different weights and textures. Wool accepts color very well and is very warm. Merino wool yarn is a popular choice in making garments.
Cashmere- Cashmere, from the soft undercoats of cashmere goats, is a more expensive yarn which is especially smooth while still retaining warmth.
Alpaca/Llama- South American llamas or alpacas produce very soft, warm yarn. Llama wool yarn is less soft and bulkier. Alpaca and llama wool is non-allergenic, since it does not have the lanolin found in lamb’s wool. This yarn does not accept color as well as wool though.
Mohair- Mohair is a thick yarn from the Angora goat with an especially fuzzy look.
Angora- Angora is an especially soft rabbit fur yarn which has a fuzzy appearance.
Linen- Linen yarn is made from the flax plant and is a lightweight yarn perfect for summer garments.
Silk- Silk comes from silkworm larvae and is very smooth and light. Since silk does not have much stretch, silk is generally combined with other fibers for yarn, often cashmere for a truly-luxurious yarn.
Eco-Friendly Yarns
Organic Cotton- Please see this article for more information on organic cotton created without synthetic fertilizer or pesticides and, when made into yarn, without chemical dyes.
Bamboo- Bamboo yarn has the feel of silk and is very strong. Bamboo is a renewable resource because it can be harvested without killing the plant, which then regenerates the removed bamboo in a couple of months.
Hemp- Hemp is another renewable resource which can be grown without pesticides or herbicides and is the strongest natural fiber. Hemp yarn garments are softer with each machine washing and can be treated for softness as yarn. Check out LanaKnits to read about and purchse Hemp yarn.
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History of Crochet
A writer who tried to trace the history of crochet came to the conclusion that there is no real evidence to show the existence of crochet before the 19th century. Knitting, she said, preceded crochet by at least four centuries.
Why crochet did not show up until the 19th century could probably be explained by the fact that people at the time preferred more economical fabric-creating techniques.
Crochet uses an enormous amount of thread to produce pieces of fabric which were much more economically produced by the ancient techniques of netting, sprang, nalbinding or knitting.
It was while Ireland was developing its lace industry that the US took up crocheting. It soon became a household activity that was loved by many American settlers.
While sewing was considered a function, crochet was entertainment. When America went to World War II in 1941, there was no such thing as time and innovation for fashion, so the idea was to make it “short and sweet.” Crochet was therefore saved for special things like a touch of lace, a scarf or a friendly.
When the war ended, crochet was back in the limelight and women turned it into a hobby to create luxuries they desired: tablecloths, edgings for pillowcases, handkerchiefs and towels.
into something more ambitious and non-traditional. All of a sudden, all kinds of finished fabrics were arriving at the scene, manifestations of the innovation fever that characterized the wealthy period that the US was experiencing.
Since this time, 21st century crochet has had a different face, a new look. New types of hooks were born, and yarns multiplied in variety.
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My 2009 Birthday Wish List
Soon — I am about to celebrate my birthday… And in connection to that — I’d like to make me a WISHLIST!!! 
So here are my birthday wishes:
- Susan Bates Crochet Hooks – sizes 9.00mm – UP
- Crochet Yarns - lots and lots of it… the type of yarns best for baby items
- Crochet Book - Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crocheting by Cecily Keim, Kim P. Werker or The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman.
Happy Birthday to Me… Happy Birthday to Me… Happy Birthday Happy Birthday… Happy Birthday to Me!
I pray they ALL come true..! 
ME -> *crosses fingers* 
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