Alternate can refer to anything you might be switching between. This could be a colour of a stitch or a pattern sequence. For example, alternate between main colour and contrasting colour every other row.

Approximately is often used in finishing work. For example, leave a tail approximately 5" long for sewing two sides together.

Back post is usually used in conjunction with a type of stitch. For example BPdc or BPtr. To make a back post stitch you insert your hook from the back of your work and bring it around the post and back out the back of your work. The way to remember how to make this stitch is the hook ends up at the back of your work or that this stitch brings a stitch it is wrapped around to the back.

Back post double crochet is a textured stitch often used in cables. Yarn over, insert hook between the working stitch and the previous stitch from the back of work to the front, bring the hook around the post and insert it between working stitch and next stitch to the back of work, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.

Back post half double crochet is a textured stitch often used in cables. Yarn over, insert the hook between the working stitch and the previous stitch from the back to the front of the work, bring the hook around the post and insert it between working stitch and next stitch to the back of work, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

Back post single crochet is a textured stitch. Insert the hook between the working stitch and the previous stitch from the back to the front of the work, bring the hook around the post and back to the back of the work, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops.

Back post treble crochet is a tall textured stitch often used for cables. Yarn over twice, insert hook in space between the stitch you are working and the previous stitch front the front of your work, bring the hook around the post and insert in between working stitch and next stitch to back of work and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops three times.

Back loop or back loop only is a way to create texture in crochet. When crocheting with out the specification, you insert the hook into both front and back loops of the stitch. When pattern calls for back loop only, you insert the hook into the loop facing away from you regardless of whether you are working on the right or wrong side of the project.

Bobble is a textured stitch which can be made with any type and number of crochet stitches. A pattern will usually specify the kind of bobble required. To create it you will make the number of stitches specified into the same spot, bringing them to a state of near completion by not doing the final yarn over and pull though two loops for all stitches. When you get to the final stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

Contrasting colour is used when there are two or more colours in the project. Contrasting colour is usually the one used less within the project and is secondary to the main colour.

Chain is the mother of all stitches. After all, everything else is just a more complex version of this stitch. To begin you will need to make a slip knot to get the first loop onto your hook. Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. Repeat this until required number of chains has been made.

Chain- abbreviation refers back to a chain already made. For example, you made ch3 in the row/round below and the instructions tell you to dc5 in ch-3. This simplifies the pattern both for the designer and the maker.

Chain-space abbreviation refers to chains previously made. To work ch-sp you insert hook in the space created rather than a stitch and crochet stitches as instructed in your pattern. This is often used for lace crochet patterns.

Cluster is a textured stitch. Patterns will specify which stitch and how many times you will need to make. The most important thing to remember is that you will make a number of almost completed stitches in the same space/stitch and complete all of them together by yarn over and pulling through all stitches on hook.

Continue simplifies written patterns for the designer and the maker. It is often used when there is a number of stitches crocheted in a pattern over a row/round or a number of rows/rounds worked the same way for some length.

Double crochet is one of the most common stitches in crochet. Yarn over, insert hook in stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.

Double crochet two stitches together is a one stitch decrease. Yarn over, insert in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull though two loops, yarn over, insert hook in next stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through all stitches.

Decrease refers to decreasing number of stitches in a row/round. This can be achieved with any stitch you are working with. Make a stitch up to the point of making the last yarn over and pull though two loops, move on to the next stitch and do the same any number of times required, finish off all stitches with yarn over and pull through all remaining loops. This combines all of the stitches into one.

Double treble is a tall stitch. Yarn over three times, insert hook in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops four times.

Extended double crochet is a taller version of a regular double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through one loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.

Extended half double crochet is a half double crochet variation, which makes the stitch a little taller. Yarn over, insert hook in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through the first loop, yarn over and pull through all loops.

Extended single crochet is a taller version of single crochet. Insert hook in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through one loop, yarn over and pull through two loops.

Extended treble crochet is a taller version of treble crochet. Yarn over two times, insert in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through one loop, yarn over and pull through two loops three times.

Front post is usually used in conjunction with any type of stitch. For example FPdc or FPtr. To make a front post stitch you insert your hook from the front of your work between working stitch and previous stitch to the back of work and bring it around the post inserting it from the back to the front of work between working stitch and next stitch.

Front post double crochet is a textured stitch often used in cables. Yarn over, insert hook in space between working stitch and the previous stitch front the front of work to the back, bring the hook around the post and back to the front, yarn over and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.

FPdtr

Front post double treble crochet is a tall textured stitch often used in cables. Yarn over three times, insert hook in the space between working stitch and the previous stitch from the front of the work to the back, bring the hook around the post and back to the front, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops four times.

Front post half double crochet is a textured stitch often used in cables. Yarn over, insert hook between working stitch and the previous stitch front the work to the back, bring the hook around the post and back to the front, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

Front post single crochet is a textured stitch. Insert hook between working stitch and a previous stitch from the front of work to the back, bring the hook around the post and insert the hook between the working stitch and next stitch from back to front of work, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops.

Front post treble crochet is a tall textured stitch often used in cables. Yarn over two times, insert the hook between the working stitch and the previous stitch from the front to the back of the work, bring the hook around the post and insert it between working stitch and next stitch from the back to the front of the work, draw a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops three times.

Front loop or front loop only is a design feature which creates texture. Normally, if not specified in the pattern, you will insert your hook in both front and back loops of your stitch. However, for interest purposes you may be asked to crochet through a specific loop. Front loop is the one facing you no matter if you are on the right or wrong side of work.

Following is often used when repeats of pattern happen at specific times in the pattern. For example, increase at the beginning this row and every following 5th row. This is a simplified way to describe repetitions in pattern for ease both for the designer and the maker.

Half double crochet is the middle child between single and double crochet stitches. Yarn over, insert in stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull though all loops on hook.

Half double crochet two together is a single stitch decrease for half double crochet. Yarn over, insert in stitch and draw loop, yarn over, insert in next stitch and draw a loop, yarn over and pull through all the loops on hook.

Increase refers to the number of stitches in a row/round. This is usually achieved by crocheting multiple stitches into one spot. Sometimes you only need to increase by one or two stitches at a specific spot and other times you may be asked to increase by a number of stitches evenly on one row/round. If later is the case, divide the number of stitches in the previous row/round by the number of stitches you need to increase. That is the stitch number you will be increasing in. If you have 30 st and need to increase evenly by 5, you will crochet two stitches into every 6th stitch (30/5=6).

Loop is the stitch on your hook. It could be one you just pulled up, created with a yarn over, or the one remaining from the last stitch worked. This could also refer to multiple loops on your hook.

Markers are used often in patterns to indicate start of round or change in pattern. There are many kinds of markers out there, but crochet uses a particular type of markers which can be opened and closed. One could also use something like a bobby pin with great success.

Main colour is used when working on a project with two or more colours. Main colour is the most used or more dominant colour in a project.

Pattern is used to shorten and simplify written instructions. Often used when there is repeating rows/rounds or stitches which create a specific design.

Popcorn stitch is a textured stitch. Crochet a number of stitches specified in the pattern in the same stitch, take the last loop off the hook taking care not to unravel your work, insert hook in the first stitch of the popcorn, place the loop back and pull through the first stitch.

Place marker is often used when working a penal of lace or cables or what have you. Patterns will ask to place a marker both for ease of written instructions and for maker's benefit. It is also used when crocheting short stitches in a round to identify beginning/end of a round as they maybe hard to see.

Previous may refer to a stitch or a row/round as specified in a pattern.

Puff stitch is a textured stitch much like a bobble. Patterns will usually indicate how to make a puff for a specific project. Insert hook in stitch and draw up an extended loop, yarn over, back in the same stitch and draw up an extended loop, and so on a specified number of times, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

Right side refers to the side which you intend to face outward. Some projects are double sided, but most have a front and a back.

Remaining or remainder is used when you are asked to work a set of stitches in one manner up to a certain point and the rest of the stitches in a different manner. To simplify written instructions patterns will use this abbreviation. For example: sh up to second m, dc rem st.

Repeat is used when you have to make a set of stitches or rows/rounds over an established duration. This abbreviation is used to simplify written instructions.

Round is when you crochet in a circle instead of back and forth. Thus, you create a tube, a ball or a circle rather than a square or a rectangle.

Single crochet is a short stitch which creates a sturdy fabric. It is often used for toys, rugs, slippers, and anything else that might need a bit more hardiness. Insert hook in stitch, yarn over and draw through, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Single crochet two together is a single stitch decrease. Insert hook in stitch, yarn over and draw through, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw through, yarn over and pull through all stitches on hook.

Shell is a set of stitches worked in the same place. Patterns will normally describe how a shell is worked in a project at the beginning to simplify written instructions.

When working fancy crochet stitches you may be asked to skip a number of stitches for design purposes. When working taller stitches like double or treble crochet turning chains usually are counted as stitches and you will have to skip the first stitch in the row/round below in order to have straight edges and correct number of stitches.

Slip stitch is the shortest crochet stitch. Insert hook in stitch, yarn over and draw a loop, pull that loop through the loop on your hook.

Slip marker comes up in more complicated patterns or when crocheting in a round. You may need a marker to help you keep your place. Slip marker means remove it, work the required stitch and place it back into the new stitch.

Space is used to indicate a specific location of where you're working your next stitch. This can be between stitches or chains.

Stitch is used when specifying where or what you're working. This can be used to indicate that you will work your next stitch into a specific stitch or a combinations of stitches such as puff stitches or shell stitches.

Through back loop refers to a loop of a finished stitch that is facing away from you. A crochet stitch has two loops which are usually stitched through together. However, for design purposes you may be asked to work only a specific loop. Back loop is the one at the back of your work.

Turning chain is a step in order to move on from one row/round to another. You need to bring your work up to the next level. Some patterns count these chains as a stitch and some do not. This is usually specified within the pattern. Sc=1ch, hdc=2ch, dc=3ch, tr=4ch and so on.

Together is used when stitches are decreased. Sc2tog - single crochet two stitches together (one stitch decrease). Dc3tog - double crochet three stitches together (two stitch decrease). Tr4tog - treble crochet four together stitches together (three stitch decrease).

Treble crochet is a tall stitch. Yarn over 2 times, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops 3 times.

Treble crochet 2 together is one stitch decrease. Yarn over 2 times, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice, yarn over 2 times, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loop twice, you should have 3 loops on hook, yarn over and draw through remaining 3 loops.

Triple treble crochet is a very tall stitch. Yarn over 4 times, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up loop (6 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 2 loops 5 times.

Wrong side is applicable when making anything that has a front facing side. In most instances, you will have a wrong and a right side when making a garment, a toy or home decor. When you encounter directions with "WS" it is important to know which side is which and follow the directions appropriately.

Yarn over or yarn over hook creates a loop on the hook. Bring yarn from the back, over the hook and to the front. it may be tempting to just hook the yarn and draw, but it is important to do the yarn over to achieve the correct result.