U.S. and Spanish Crochet Terms Translation Chart
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Updated November 2025 – This free chart includes new Spanish crochet terms and abbreviations to help you follow Spanish-language patterns with ease.
How to Use This Chart
- Open your Spanish crochet pattern and note any terms or abbreviations you don’t recognize.
- Use CTRL + F (or Command + F on Mac) to search this page.
- Match the term to its U.S. English equivalent in the lists below.
- Come back anytime — or print a copy for your crochet binder.
If you notice a missing term or variation, please leave a comment so I can update this chart for everyone.
Understanding Translations
Here’s how literal translations differ from the actual crochet stitch names you’ll use when reading Spanish patterns.
If you are using Google Translate to read a Spanish pattern, here are some helpful examples:
- Punto → “point” → stitch
- Punto alto → “high stitch” → double crochet (dc)
- Punto bajo → “low point” → single crochet (sc)
- Punto raso → “satin point” → slip stitch (sl st)
- Punto cangrejo → “crab point” → reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
Thank you to everyone who has helped with additions, corrections, and translations to make this chart accurate and complete. Your contributions help crocheters everywhere connect through creativity.
Main U.S. and Spanish Crochet Terms (with Abbreviations)
This section includes the most common stitches and techniques you’ll see in crochet patterns, listed in both Spanish and U.S. terms.
Basic Stitches
These are the foundation stitches used in most crochet patterns, such as single crochet, double crochet, and slip stitch.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) |
|---|---|
| punto bajo (pb) | single crochet (sc) |
| punto (p) / punto (p or pto) | stitch (st) |
| punto raso (pr) / punto deslizado (pd) | slip stitch (sl st) |
| medio punto alto (mpa) | half double crochet (hdc) |
| punto alto (pa) | double crochet (dc) |
| punto alto doble (pad) | treble crochet (tr) |
| punto alto doble doble (padd) | double treble crochet (dtr) |
| punto cangrejo — punto bajo al revés | reverse single crochet (rev sc / crab stitch) |
| punto popcorn / punto palomita | popcorn stitch (pop st) |
| punto puff | puff stitch (puff st) |
| punto abanico / punto concha | shell / fan stitch (shell st / fan st) |
| punto escama / punto cocodrilo | crocodile stitch (croc st) |
| punto fantasía | fancy or decorative stitch |
| punto elástico | rib stitch / elastic stitch (rib st) |
Stitch and Technique Terms
Here you’ll find crochet actions and instructions like increasing, decreasing, repeating, or joining stitches.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) |
|---|---|
| aumentar / aumento / se aumenten (A) | increase (inc) |
| disminuir / disminución / se disminuen (D) | decrease (dec) |
| repetir / se repiten (REP) | repeat (rep) |
| puntos altos cerrados en el mismo punto / grupo / racimo | cluster (cl st) |
| seguir / siguiente / siguiendo | follow / following |
| tejer | crochet / work |
| patrón | pattern (pat) |
| marcador / marcadores | place marker (pm) |
| lazada | yarn over (yo) |
| muestra de tensión | gauge (g) |
| punto relieve | post stitch (post st) |
| rematar puntos | bind off stitches (bo) |
| cambiar color / cambio de color | change color (cc) |
| enganchar hilo / enganchar hebra | attach or join yarn |
| pasar sin tejer | slip without working (slp) |
| insertar aguja / meter gancho | insert hook |
| cerrar / desmontar / cortar | fasten off (fo) |
| coser / unir | sew / join |
| unir / unir formando anillo / unir en un aro | join / join into ring (join) |
Loop and Post Terms
This section explains how stitches are worked into different parts of previous stitches, such as front or back loops and post stitches.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) |
|---|---|
| anillos al frente del trabajo / lazo delantero | front loop (FL) |
| anillos a la detras del trabajo / lazo trasero | back loop (BL) |
| bucle delantero | front loop (FL) |
| bucle trasero | back loop (BL) |
| punto alto por el poste de la frente (pa en relieve delantero) | front post double crochet (FP dc) |
| punto alto por el poste de atras (pa en relieve trasero) | back post double crochet (BP dc) |
| punto bajo poste de enfrente (pb en relieve delantero) | front post single crochet (FP sc) |
| punto bajo poste trasero (pb en relieve trasero) | back post single crochet (BP sc) |
| punto medio alto poste de enfrente (mpa en relieve delantero) | front post half double crochet (FP hdc) |
| punto medio alto poste trasero (mpa en relieve trasero) | back post half double crochet (BP hdc) |
| punto alto triple en relieve por delante | front post treble crochet (FP tr) |
| punto alto triple en relieve por detras | back post treble crochet (BP tr) |
Directional and Finishing Terms
These terms describe the way you move through a pattern — turning, joining, fastening off, and finishing your crochet projects.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) |
|---|---|
| cadeneta / cadena / punto al aire (cad / pc / CAD) | chain (ch) |
| espacio de cadena / espacio en cadeneta | chain space (ch sp) |
| girar el trabajo / darle la vuelta al tejido | turn the work (turn) |
| ronda(s) | round (rnd) |
| vuelta / fila | row (row) |
| lado derecho / lado correcto | right side (RS) |
| lado a la izquierda / el reverso | wrong side (WS) |
| insertar aguja / meter gancho / insertar crochet | insert hook |
| saltear / saltarse / pasar | skip (sk) |
| entre | between (bet) |
| juntos | together (tog) |
| continuar / se continuan | continue (cont) |
| comienzo / inicio / principio | beginning (beg) |
| último / final | last (last) |
| restante | remaining (rem) |
| antes | before (bef) |
| entre | between (bet) |
| siguiente / próximo | next (nxt) |
| patrón siguiente | following pattern (foll pat) |
| lado equivocado | wrong side (WS) |
| repetir de * a * | *repeat from * to * (rep from * to ) |
| espacio (s) | space(s) (sp) |
| tiempo(s) / veces | times (x) |
Additional Common Spanish Crochet Terms
This section includes extra words and phrases you’ll often see in Spanish patterns, covering modern stitches and general crochet language.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| punto vareta (pv) | double crochet (dc) | Common in Argentina/Uruguay |
| medio punto vareta (mpv) | half double crochet (hdc) | Regional variation |
| punto medio (pm) | half double crochet (hdc) | Mexico |
| punto alto extendido (pae) | extended double crochet (edc) | Used in modern patterns |
| punto relieve | post stitch (post st) | General post technique |
| punto fantasía (pf) | decorative or textured stitch | Describes non-basic stitches |
| punto elástico (pe) | rib stitch / elastic stitch (rib st) | Used in garment designs |
| punto popcorn / punto palomita (pp) | popcorn stitch (pop st) | Mexico and Latin America |
| punto puff (ppf) | puff stitch (puff st) | Common modern term |
| punto abanico / punto concha (pa / pc) | shell stitch / fan stitch (shell st / fan st) | |
| punto cruzado (pcz) | crossed stitch (X-stitch) | Often in texture patterns |
| punto escama / punto cocodrilo (pec) | crocodile stitch (croc st) | Spain and Latin America |
| tejido en redondo | worked in the round | Used in amigurumi |
| tejido plano | worked flat / in rows | Flat projects |
| rematar puntos | bind off stitches (bo) | Seen in older sources |
| cambiar color / cambio de color | change color (cc) | |
| pasar sin tejer | slip without working (slp) | Mosaic or lace work |
| enganchar hilo / enganchar hebra | attach or join yarn | |
| sobre la aguja | on the hook (loop on hook) | Literal translation |
| punto al revés | reverse stitch (rev st) | Sometimes used for texture |
Tunisian Crochet Terms
Here are common Tunisian crochet stitches and abbreviations, which are used for this unique style of crochet.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| punto tunecino simple (PTS) | Tunisian simple stitch (TSS) | Standard |
| punto tunecino revés (PTR) | Tunisian purl stitch (TPS) | |
| punto tunecino derecho (PTD) | Tunisian knit stitch (TKS) | Spain and Latin America |
| punto tunecino fantasía (PTF) | Tunisian decorative stitch (TDS) | Decorative variant |
| punto tunecino cruzado (PTC) | Tunisian crossed stitch (TXS) | Used in texture patterns |
| punto tunecino elástico (PTE) | Tunisian rib stitch (TRS) |
Regional or Alternate Spanish Crochet Terms (with Notes)
This section lists regional differences or alternate names for stitches that vary between Spain and Latin America.
| Spanish Term (Abbrev.) | U.S. English Term (Abbrev.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| punto enano (pe) | slip stitch (sl st) | Common in Spain |
| punto raso (pr) | slip stitch (sl st) | Latin America |
| punto deslizado (pd) | slip stitch (sl st) | Alternate term |
| medio punto (mp) | single crochet (sc) | Latin America |
| punto alto doble (pad) | treble crochet (tr) | Common alternate |
| punto alto doble doble (padd) | double treble crochet (dtr) | Older term |
| punto alto triple (patr) | double treble crochet (dtr) | Older term |
| anillo mágico / aro mágico / anillo corredizo (am / ar) | magic ring (mr) | Variant usage |
| media vareta (mv) | half double crochet (hdc) | Argentina |
| vareta doble (vd) | double crochet (dc) | Argentina / Uruguay |
| vareta triple (vt) | treble crochet (tr) | Argentina / Uruguay |
| punto palomita (pp) | popcorn stitch (pop st) | Mexico |
| punto tunecino simple (PTS) | Tunisian simple stitch (TSS) | Spain / Latin America |
| punto tunecino revés (PTR) | Tunisian purl stitch (TPS) | Spain / Latin America |
You Might Also Like
➡️ U.S. and U.K. Crochet Terms Translation Chart
➡️ Crochet Abbreviations and Symbols Guide
➡️ Crochet Translation Project
FAQ
Here are quick answers to common questions about using this chart and reading Spanish crochet patterns.
Yes — while many are shared across Spanish-speaking countries, some differ slightly between Spain and Latin America.
Absolutely. Older publications often use longer phrases or regional terms — these are included here for reference.
Yes! You can print or save it as a PDF for easy reference using the printer icon at the top of the page.
How to Print or Save This Chart
Click the printer icon at the top of this post to print or save a copy for your personal use. You can choose to save it as a PDF or print it out to keep beside you while crocheting.
I hope this translation chart helps you follow and enjoy Spanish crochet patterns with ease. If you spot a missing term or a variation that should be included, please comment below so I can add it to the list.
Sharing tools like this helps crocheters everywhere connect and learn from one another.
Feel free to pin or share this post with your crochet friends. 💕
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Help! I have a pattern that reads;
1 pssn-pr
I ve searched with no luck!
Make 160 chains and work as follows: 1st Round: 3 double crochets in the edge, 1 chain, 1 double crochet skipping a base stitch, 1 chain, 2 double crochets together skipping one base chain, 2 double crochets together in the next base stitch, 7 shells, 3 double crochets, one in each base stitch, 7 shells; repeat and finish as you started to complete the other edge.
Hello,
I’m hoping someone can help me. I have a pattern for a shawl in Spanish and for the life of me I cannot figure the English Translation. I have tried the translation web sites and they are not helpful for crochet terms.
Haz 160 cadenas y trabaja come sigue:
1 Vuelta: 3 macizos de orilla, 1 cadena, 1 macizo saltando un punto de base, 1 cadena, *2 macizos juntos saltando una cadena de base, 2 macizos juntos en el siguiente punto de base, 7 casitas, 3 macizos uno sobre cada punto de base, 7 casitas*; repite y termina como empezaste para hacer la otra orilla.
Any help is very much appreciated. TIA
Thank you! This will be the start of m learning Spanish. I already speak English and quite a bit of French.
Hi Dawn, if you use the print button at the top of the post you can print or download a copy for free 🙂 you can remove the images and any bits you don’t want to include in the saved copy using that too. It automatically removes the ads. Hope this helps! Rhondda
How can I print these translation charts? I can’t seem to find that option. If it a matter of paying for it, where can I do that? I really dislike having to open this up over,and deal with all the popular ads. Very willing to pay a reasonable price for the option. Thank you.
Hi Marjorie,
these are in US terms
pb – punto bajo – single crochet
p – means stitch
and I think this pattern is using 2 different terms for ‘chains’ depending on what the chains are doing.
In Spanish crochet terms, “cp” (cadeneta al aire) and “pch” (punto de cadeneta) both refer to chain stitches, but they are often used differently depending on regional variations or individual pattern preferences.
“Cp” (cadeneta al aire) is typically used to emphasize the act of making a chain stitch in the air (not attached to anything).
“Pch” (punto de cadeneta) more directly refers to a basic chain stitch.
I am not 100% sure though – would this make sense for the pattern you are crocheting?
Thanks, Rhondda
Good day, Can you please help me with the abbreviations 7pch, 2cp and pb? Thank you.
Hi Anna, I’m not sure what HT is referring to? We haven’t received a translation for that abbreviation yet in Spanish. Could this pattern be partially translated by google already? Does it have any abbreviations listed at the top or images? I’m thinking it might be asking you to work into a loop or around a post of a stitch but without the full words that those abbreviations stand for it is very difficult to know.
Hiya,
In the pattern I’m using it says 3pd + 1d * en relieve HT
I’m not sure what they mean at the end, what is HT?