13 Helpful Crochet Slang Words Explained
Crochet slang is absolute nonsense when you’re starting out. Everyone’s throwing around abbreviations, inside jokes, and mystery terms like you’re supposed to just know them — and meanwhile you’re Googling acronyms mid-row.
This post breaks down the crochet slang words you’ll actually see in patterns and groups (plus a few unhinged ones) so you can stop guessing, stop rage-searching, and get back to crocheting.
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Ever scroll a crochet Facebook group or Instagram post and feel like everyone else is speaking a secret yarn language? You love the projects, you trust the maker… and yet you have no idea what half the words mean. Congrats, you’re normal.
I used to follow designers I adored and then immediately get lost in the slang. I’d give up decoding it, stop mid-scroll, and just stare at the pretty stitches like they were art in a museum I wasn’t allowed to touch. I’ve picked up most of it over time — but even now, some crochet slang still sends me straight to Google.
So here’s a no-nonsense rundown of common (and a few unhinged) crochet slang words you’ll actually see — translated into human.
Crochet Slang Words Unraveled
- HOTH/FOTH = Hot off the hook/fresh off the hook
The piece you just finished, and are excited to show off.
- C2C = Corner to corner
Crochet squares or blankets that are worked on the diagonal, and often use graphs to create an image. There’s also the soul-crushing time-suck known as weaving in your ends with this one, create at your own risk.
- CAL = Crochet-a-long
A group of people crocheting the same pattern at the same time. It’s like a crafting circle, but online and with emojis! 😀😍🎁 And you don’t have to worry about spilling your snacks and ruining your project!
- LYS = Local Yarn Shop
Where my money goes to leave me
- WIP = Work in progress
What you’ve either been pouring your heart and soul into for weeks, or what’s been sitting in your projects basket, or bag for months. Either or
- FO = finished object
What you’re hoping your WIP turns into.
- UFO = Unfinished object
Similar to a WIP. This one might be destined for the donation pile.
Need more? I gotcha covered!
- PHD = projects half-done
I have many Ph.D.’s in crochet. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a cap and gown, or a diploma, but sometimes they’re almost as expensive…
- TOAD = Trashed object abandoned in disgust
Things have to be pretty bad for this to happen. I recommend a trip to the LYS to help you cool down. 🙂 This is usually a good place to start frogging your project!
- SABLE = Stash accumulated beyond life expectancy
I have fourteen colors of blue, and yet none of them are right for this project! Well, off to the LYS I go…
- OCD = Obsessive crocheting disorder
What leads to all those WIP’s, UFO’s, Ph.D.’s, and trips to the LYS.
- PIGS = Projects in grocery sacks
The whole reason I have a grocery sack full of grocery sacks. For all my WIP’s that need homes.
- NCR = Not crochet related
Be careful of this kind of conversation in crochet groups. Some allow it and some don’t. If your group doesn’t allow this, tread carefully, otherwise, just make sure to put this up before you go into your post so that those who aren’t interested can keep scrolling.
- ISO = In search of
(LYS anyone?)
- CROJO = Crochet mojo
Also what you could be ISO.
- PABLE = Patterns accumulated beyond life expectancy
SO. MANY. PRETTY. PATTERNS! Must make ALL THE THINGS
- YAP = Yet another project
(Also the thing that makes my husband roll his eyes)
- Crochet-DD = Crochet ADD
The inability to focus on your current WIP’s, Ph.D.’s, and UFO’s because there’s just so much pretty pattern inspiration out there! Pinterest may be the underlying culprit.
- TALC = Take a-long crochet –
The reason my road trips have two extra suitcases packed all the time
Slang Words Are Just for Fun
Hopefully this list cleared things up — or at least saved you from Googling acronyms mid-project. Crochet slang has a habit of spiraling, but these are the ones you’ll see over and over again out in the wild. If you’re still untangling the learning curve, there’s plenty more beginner-friendly advice and crochet sanity-savers waiting for you here.
If I missed a term that made you stop scrolling and squint at your screen, drop it in the comments. I’m sure you’re not the only one side-eyeing it.
PS: If this saved you a rage-Google or two, feel free to share it with another crocheter who’s pretending they know what all the slang means.
