US English-German Crochet Glossary: Translation and Abbreviation of Patterns
You've found a gorgeous pattern, but it's only in German? Don't worry, this glossary is here to help!
Designed to make things easier for you, this French-German dictionary will accompany you in the translation of essential crochet terms. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, it will allow you to access models in a language you do not yet master.
Explore patterns in German to transform your crochet practice.
Access a wider variety of models
Not limiting oneself to a single language allows for the exploration of a greater number of unique creators and patterns. German, for example, is a language rich in original patterns which may not be available in other languages. Venturing beyond the language barrier opens doors to a variety of styles and techniques.
Improve your language and technical skills
Reading a pattern in another language, even without being perfectly fluent, can be an excellent opportunity to learn crochet-specific technical terms. This enriches both your technical vocabulary and language skills, which can help you in other projects or in exchanges with international crocheters.
Discover new techniques and traditions
Every culture has its own crochet styles and techniques. By exploring patterns in different languages, you can discover methods that are not commonly used in your native language. For example, certain traditional German patterns or stitches can give you innovative ideas for your creations.
Boost your creativity and confidence
Overcoming the language barrier pushes you out of your comfort zone and encourages you to think more creatively. By engaging with a boss in an unfamiliar language, you develop your problem-solving skills, to interpret diagrams and follow instructions, which builds your confidence in your abilities as a lockpick.

The PDF to download
For further information, a complete PDF version of the glossary is also available for download.
The PDF includes two complete versions of the glossary: a main French version and a main English version.
Each of these 14-page documents compiles all the terms used on the site, in all languages available (French, English US/UK, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Norwegian), so you can easily view them offline, print them or always keep them handy on your phone, tablet or computer.
The PDF is available for €2, a deliberately symbolic amount which helps to support the work of creating, updating and translating the lexicon, as well as the development of new free content on Yarn & Crochet.
Access is free online glossary of course, it remains fully available.
2,00 €
Do you create your own crochet patterns and want to translate them?
This tool automatically generates the PDF layout of your patterns and translates them into 8 languages so you can sell them all over the world, without extra effort.
Created by creators, For creators.

The German-US English Crochet Lexicon
To make your navigation easier and help you with your project, you can simply click on a term that interests you highlight it. This can help you focus on the translations that are important for your project. If you click again on a line that's already selected, the highlighting will disappear.
| English (US) | Abbreviation (EN) | Deutsch | Abkürzung (DE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Stitches | |||
| Chain | ch | Luftmasche / Luftmaschenkette | lm |
| Single crochet | sc | Feste Masche | fM |
| Half double crochet | hdc | Halbes Stäbchen | hStb |
| Double crochet | dc | Stäbchen | Stb |
| Treble | tr | Doppelstäbchen | DStb |
| Double treble | dtr | Dreifachstäbchen | 3fStb |
| Slip stitch | slst | Kettmasche | Km |
| Techniques | |||
| Increase | inc | Zunahme | zun |
| Decrease | dec | Abnahme | abn |
| Magic circle | mc | Magischer Ring / Fadenring | MR |
| Work in round | In Runden arbeiten | ||
| Work in row | In Reihen arbeiten | ||
| Row | Reihe | R | |
| Repeat | rep | Wiederholen | wdh |
| Position & Instructions | |||
| Back loop only | blo | In das hintere Maschenglied häkeln | nur Hmg |
| Front loop only | flo | In das vordere Maschenglied häkeln | nur Vmg |
| Insert in | Einstechen in | ||
| Crochet together | tog | Stäbchen zusammen | stb zus |
| Continue | cont | Weiterarbeiten | |
| Skip a stitch | sk | Eine Masche überspringen | |
| Fasten off | f/o | Abketten | |
| Yarn over | yo | Umschlag | |
| Cut the yarn | Faden abschneiden | ||
| Materials & Tools | |||
| Yarn / Wool | Garn | ||
| Yarn weight | Garnstärke | ||
| Hook | Häkelnadel | ||
| Hook size | Häkelnadelgröße | ||
| Tapestry needle | Stopfnadel | ||
| Stitch marker | Maschenmarkierer | ||
| Gauge | Maschenprobe | ||
| Thread | Faden | ||
| Safety eyes | Sicherheitsaugen | ||
| Needle | Nadel | ||
| Stuffing | Füllmaterial | ||
| Scissors | Schere | ||
| Knitting needles | Stricknadeln | ||
| Textured & Special Stitches | |||
| Popcorn stitch | pc | Popcorn-Muster | pop |
| Bobble stitch | bo | Noppenmasche / Büschelmasche / Bubble Muster | |
| Star stitch | star st | Stern Muster | |
| Shell stitch | Muschelmuster | ||
| Filet stitch | Netz-Muster | ||
| Cable stitch | Zopfmuster | ||
| V-stitch | V-Muster | ||
| Ribbing stitch | Elastisches Muster | ||
| Other Terms | |||
| Tension | Maschenspannung | ||
| Pattern | Anleitung | ||
| Free pattern | Kostenlose Anleitung | ||
| Invisible join | Unsichtbare Naht | ||
| Joining | Zusammennähen | ||
| Pick up stitches | Maschen aufnehmen | ||
| Slip knot | Gleitknoten | ||
I hope you find this English-German dictionary of terms commonly used in crochet patterns helpful. To keep this information handy, consider downloading the PDF!
Do you want to explore other languages? Discover the multilingual glossary, where you will find crochet-related terms translated into Italian, Spanish, and many more.
Dictionaries
Looking for a more detailed crochet dictionary in a specific language? Check out our dedicated pages!
US English - French
US English - Spanish
US English - Italian
US English - German
US English - Russian
US English - Norwegian
US English - UK English
