STS in crochet means “stitches,” the plural abbreviation of “st,” which means one stitch. A pattern uses sts to tell you how many completed stitch units to work into, skip, repeat across, or have after a row or round. The abbreviation can include basic stitches, textured stitches, chain stitches, or spaces when the designer defines it that way.
Key Facts / Quick Answer
st means one stitch; sts means more than one stitch.
“Sc in next 5 sts” means make one single crochet in each of the next five stitches.
A number such as (24 sts) is usually an end-of-row or end-of-round stitch-count checkpoint.
A turning chain may or may not count as a stitch, depending on the pattern notes.
“Sts” normally refers to stitch tops, while a sp or ch-sp refers to a space.
Count stitches differently in rows, joined rounds, continuous rounds, and textured patterns.
What Does STS Mean in Crochet?
The abbreviation sts is a counting instruction, not the name of a particular crochet stitch. When a pattern says “dc in each of the next 8 sts,” the crocheter works eight double crochets into eight existing stitch tops. When the pattern ends with “24 sts,” the finished row should contain 24 counted stitches.
The Craft Yarn Council’s standard crochet abbreviation chart gives the compact notation “stitch(es) st(s)”, which explains why designers use st for singular instructions and sts for plural instructions. Some designers write st(s) when either form may apply, while others use sts throughout a pattern for consistency.
The abbreviation does not tell you whether the stitch is a single crochet, half double crochet, or another type. The surrounding instruction supplies that information. For example, “work 2 dc in next 3 sts” means six double crochets distributed across three existing stitches, not three total stitches.
ST, STS, STS, and Stitch Spaces
These abbreviations look similar but do different jobs. A stitch is usually identified by the V-shaped top loops, whereas a space is an opening created between stitches or under a chain.
| Pattern notation | Meaning | Where the hook goes | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| st | One stitch | One stitch top or specified loop | “1 sc in next st” |
| sts | Multiple stitches | Several specified stitch tops | “Sc in next 5 sts” |
| sp | One space | An opening between or beside stitches | “Dc in next sp” |
| ch-sp | Chain space | Gap under a chain or chain arch | “5 dc in ch-3 sp” |
| st st | Usually pattern-specific shorthand | Varies by designer | Check the abbreviation key |
A designer may use “st” as a general word for a stitch, even when the actual stitch is a double crochet or cluster. Read the abbreviation list before assuming that every “st” means single crochet.
How Do You Read STS in a Pattern?
To read sts correctly, identify the action, the number of existing stitch units, and the expected result. The phrase “sc in next 5 sts” contains three separate instructions: use single crochet, work into the next five stitch tops, and produce five new single crochet stitches.
Follow this process:
- Find the active location. Start at the stitch immediately after the previous instruction.
- Identify the target units. Look for stitch tops unless the pattern says to work into a space, post, loop, or chain.
- Apply the stated stitch. Make one stitch in each target stitch unless a number changes the distribution.
- Track the count. Five single crochets worked into five stitches normally add five stitches.
- Check the row or round total. Compare your result with the number in parentheses or the pattern schematic.
| Pattern instruction | Existing units used | New stitches made | Practical interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 sc in next 5 sts | 5 stitches | 5 sc | One single crochet in each stitch |
| 2 dc in next st | 1 stitch | 2 dc | Increase by 1 |
| Sk next 2 sts, dc in next st | 3 stitches | 1 dc | Two stitches remain unused |
| Sc2tog over next 2 sts | 2 stitches | 1 sc | Decrease by 1 |
| 5 dc in next ch-2 sp | 1 chain space | 5 dc | Five stitches enter one opening |
A parenthetical count usually describes the number of stitches currently present, not the number of stitches worked in the last instruction. If a row starts with 24 stitches and contains four increases, the expected total becomes 28 stitches unless another operation offsets those increases.
How Is “Sc in Next 5 Sts” Worked?
“Sc in next 5 sts” means insert the hook into five consecutive stitch tops and complete one single crochet in each top. The instruction creates five new single crochet stitches and advances the fabric by five existing stitch positions.
Do not insert the hook five times into the same stitch. That would create an increase and usually add four unintended stitches. On a standard row, locate the next V-shaped top, insert under the required loops, complete one single crochet, then move to the next V.
What Counts as a Stitch?
A crochet stitch usually counts as one completed structural unit with one visible top, but the exact counting rule depends on the pattern. A chain may count as a stitch at the edge, a slip stitch may count in a joining instruction, and a cluster may count as one stitch even though it contains several partial stitch components.
The safest rule is to follow the designer’s stitch-count note. The phrase “24 sts, not including the turning chain” excludes that chain. The phrase “turning chain counts as first dc” includes it as one stitch in the row total.
Basic Stitch Types and Typical Counting
| Stitch | Common abbreviation | Typical height | Typical fabric result | Usual counting treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | ch | 0.5-1 stitch unit | Foundation or spacing | Counts only when pattern says |
| Slip stitch | sl st | Very short | Flat, compact join | Often counts for joins, not row height |
| Single crochet | sc | 1 unit | Dense and firm | One completed sc equals one stitch |
| Half double crochet | hdc | 1.5 units | Medium density | One hdc equals one stitch |
| Double crochet | dc | 2 units | Taller and more flexible | One dc equals one stitch |
| Treble crochet | tr | 3 units | Open and tall | One tr equals one stitch |
Height is approximate because yarn, tension, and hook size change the proportions. Stitch identity and stitch count are separate properties: a treble is taller than a single crochet, but each normally occupies and creates one stitch.
Do Clusters and Bobbles Count as One Stitch?
A cluster, bobble, or popcorn can count as one finished stitch when the pattern places all of its components into one stitch or space and closes them together. The internal loops and partial stitches are construction details, not automatically separate final stitches.
| Decorative structure | Components | Typical final count | Where counting errors occur |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-dc cluster | 3 partial dc | 1 cluster | Counting partial tops as finished stitches |
| 5-dc bobble | 5 partial dc | 1 bobble | Treating every yarn-over as a new stitch |
| Popcorn | 5 completed dc joined | 1 popcorn | Counting the joining slip stitch separately |
| Puff | 3-7 partial loops | 1 puff | Misreading the closing loop |
| Front-post dc | 1 dc around post | 1 stitch | Searching for a normal top in the wrong place |
A pattern may define a decorative unit differently, so the abbreviation key and stitch diagram take priority. In practice, count the visible finished units that the pattern names, then verify the stated total.
How Do You Count STS in Rows and Rounds?
In a flat row, count the V-shaped stitch tops from one edge to the other, then inspect the first and last stitch separately. In a joined round, count each completed stitch after the join, while in a continuous spiral, place a marker in the first stitch because the round boundary is not visually obvious.
For a basic single crochet row, the top of each stitch resembles a small V. Insert the hook under both top loops unless the instructions specify front loop only, back loop only, or another location. The loop on the hook is not an additional stitch.
| Fabric situation | Count from | Boundary method | Typical marker use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat sc row | First stitch top to last | Mark first and last stitch | 2 markers |
| Joined dc round | First post-join stitch | Slip-stitch join identifies boundary | 1 marker |
| Continuous amigurumi round | First stitch of round | Move marker every round | 1 marker |
| Back-loop-only ribbing | Visible back-loop ridge | Count stitch tops, not ridges alone | 1 marker |
| Lace with chain spaces | Stitches and spaces separately | Follow chart symbols | Mark repeat edges |
The turning chain is the most frequent source of disagreement. A chain-2 used before half double crochet may be an edge spacer rather than a counted stitch, while a chain-3 before double crochet may count as the first double crochet. Never infer the rule from chain length alone.
Stitch Count Versus Space Count
A stitch count and a space count measure different targets. “Work into the next 4 sts” points to four stitch tops, whereas “work into the next 4 ch-sps” points to four openings under chains. Working into the wrong type of target can preserve the apparent row length while destroying the pattern repeat.
For lace, count both categories separately. A row might contain 16 double crochets and four chain-2 spaces. Those are not 20 interchangeable stitches, because each target has a different location and function.
What Are the Main Abbreviations That Appear With STS?
Crochet patterns combine sts with abbreviations for actions, stitch types, and locations. Understanding those relationships is more useful than memorizing “sts” alone.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| inc | Increase | 2 sc in next st | Adds 1 stitch |
| dec | Decrease | Sc2tog | Removes 1 stitch |
| tog | Together | Dc2tog | Combines targets |
| rep | Repeat | Rep across | Reuses a sequence |
| sk | Skip | Sk next st | Leaves a target unused |
| FLO | Front loop only | Sc in FLO | Changes insertion point |
| BLO | Back loop only | Hdc in BLO | Creates a ridge |
| prev | Previous | St in prev row | Refers backward |
| rem | Remaining | Sc in rem sts | Uses all unworked targets |
A pattern that says “(2 sc, inc) rep around, 30 sts” begins with a repeat that changes the count. Each increase consumes one existing stitch but creates two new stitches, so the final number must be calculated from the starting count and repeat structure.
Can a Turning Chain Count as a Stitch?
A turning chain counts as a stitch only when the pattern explicitly assigns it that role or uses a convention stated in the pattern notes. If it counts, the chain usually occupies the first stitch position, and the next worked stitch goes into the second stitch.
| Starting chain | Common following stitch | Possible count rule | Edge consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ch 1 | sc | Often does not count | Work sc in first stitch |
| ch 2 | hdc | Designer-dependent | Check first-stitch placement |
| ch 3 | dc | Frequently counts as first dc | Skip first stitch if instructed |
| ch 4 | tr | Often counts as first tr | Edge height increases |
When the count is consistently one stitch too high or too low at every row edge, inspect the turning-chain rule before changing hook size or tension. The error is structural, not a gauge problem.
How Does Stitch Type Affect Yarn, Time, and Fabric?
Stitch type changes fabric height, density, yarn use, and working speed, but there is no universal yardage or time value for one stitch. A puff may consume more yarn than several single crochets, while a loose double crochet may cover more area with fewer stitches.
The figures below are practical planning ranges for medium-weight acrylic or wool yarn with a 5 mm hook. They are typical estimates, not laboratory measurements, because tension, yarn construction, and stitch design produce large differences.
| Stitch or structure | Relative yarn use per finished unit | Typical speed, beginner | Typical speed, practiced crocheter | Fabric behavior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sc | 1.0x | 10-15/min | 25-40/min | Dense, stable |
| hdc | 1.2x | 8-14/min | 20-35/min | Balanced height and density |
| dc | 1.1x | 10-18/min | 25-45/min | Taller, drapier |
| tr | 1.4x | 6-12/min | 18-32/min | Open, flexible |
| 5-dc bobble | 3.5-5.0x | 2-5/min | 5-12/min | Thick, raised |
| sl st | 0.4-0.7x | 12-20/min | 30-50/min | Compact, low height |
A 100-stitch row of basic single crochet might take a beginner 7-10 minutes at 10-15 stitches per minute. A row containing 20 bobbles can take a similar or longer period because each decorative unit contains multiple operations.
How Many Stitches Fit in a Given Length?
The number of stitches in a measured width depends on gauge, not on the abbreviation sts. If a swatch produces 16 stitches across 10 cm, a 50 cm panel requires approximately 80 stitches before accounting for borders, turning chains, and pattern multiples.
| Swatch result | Target width | Basic calculation | Approximate starting count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 sts per 10 cm | 50 cm | 16 x 5 | 80 sts |
| 18 sts per 10 cm | 40 cm | 18 x 4 | 72 sts |
| 20 sts per 10 cm | 30 cm | 20 x 3 | 60 sts |
| 14 sts per 10 cm | 60 cm | 14 x 6 | 84 sts |
Round the result to the pattern repeat. A design requiring a multiple of six plus two cannot begin with 80 stitches; the nearest valid count might be 74 or 86, depending on the required width.
What Is the Difference Between Crochet STS and Knitting STS?
In both crafts, sts means stitches, but crochet and knitting organize active loops differently. Crochet normally keeps one active loop on the hook, while knitting keeps many live stitches on needles, so the consequences of a counting mistake or dropped loop differ.
| Feature | Crochet | Knitting |
|---|---|---|
| Main tool | One hook | Two needles or circular needle |
| Active working loops | Usually 1 | Often dozens |
| Typical stitch formation | Complete one unit at a time | Transfer and build rows of loops |
| Dropped-loop behavior | Usually local | Can ladder down several rows |
| Common count location | Row or round end | Needle and row count |
| Equivalent abbreviation | st, sts | st, sts |
Crochet stitches are not interchangeable with knitting stitches for gauge, fabric behavior, or pattern instructions. A crochet pattern’s “24 sts” does not translate directly into 24 knitting stitches because the construction and stitch dimensions differ.
What Happens When the STS Count Is Wrong?
A wrong stitch count changes the width, shape, symmetry, and repeat alignment of the project. The cause can be a missed edge stitch, an accidental increase, an uncounted turning chain, or a stitch worked into a space instead of a stitch.
| Count symptom | Likely cause | Visual result | First correction |
|---|---|---|---|
| One stitch missing per row | Missed first or last stitch | Edges slope inward | Count edge V shapes |
| One extra stitch per row | Turning chain counted twice | Edges flare outward | Check chain rule |
| Several extra stitches | Two stitches in one top | Bulge or widening | Unravel to first increase |
| Count correct, repeat wrong | Worked into space | Misaligned texture | Compare chart and fabric |
| Spiral count drifts | Marker moved incorrectly | Amigurumi shape distorts | Recount each round |
| Round is short by one | Missed join or final stitch | Gap at boundary | Inspect stitch beside join |
The most efficient repair is to return to the last row with a confirmed count, rather than trying to conceal the error with an improvised decrease. A single correction near the mistake is less visible than a compensating adjustment several rows later.
Expert Insight: The Edge Is the Best Diagnostic
Experienced crocheters inspect the first and last stitch before recounting the entire row. Edge errors account for a large share of beginner count problems because turning chains, side-facing stitch tops, and post-join stitches are harder to see than central stitches.
Place a removable marker through the first and last actual stitch, not through the turning chain unless the pattern counts that chain. This creates a repeatable boundary for every subsequent row.
Expert Insight: Count Before You Fasten Off
A final count is easier before the yarn is cut. If a round has 47 stitches instead of the required 48, the last few stitches can be inspected while the working loop is still active; after fastening off, identifying the missing location becomes slower and may require reopening the edge.
Does STS Mean the Same Thing in US and UK Crochet?
The plural abbreviation sts generally means stitches in both US and UK crochet patterns, but the names of several stitch types differ. A UK double crochet is the same construction as a US single crochet, so a pattern’s regional system must be identified before interpreting the instruction.
| Construction | US name | UK name | Common abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short stitch | Single crochet | Double crochet | sc, dc |
| Medium stitch | Half double crochet | Half treble crochet | hdc, htr |
| Tall stitch | Double crochet | Treble crochet | dc, tr |
| Taller stitch | Treble crochet | Double treble crochet | tr, dtr |
| Slip join | Slip stitch | Slip stitch | sl st |
The term st alone does not resolve the regional system. Look for a note such as “US terms” or “UK terms,” then compare the listed abbreviations with the table above.
When Should You Use Stitch Markers and Count?
Use stitch markers whenever the first or last stitch is difficult to identify, especially in continuous rounds, dark yarn, fuzzy yarn, and patterns with increases. A marker does not replace counting, but it preserves the location from which counting begins.
A practical counting routine is:
- Mark the first stitch of every amigurumi round.
- Mark the first and last stitch of long flat rows.
- Count after every increase or decrease round.
- Count each repeat before starting the next repeat.
- Record the completed total beside the pattern row number.
- Use a contrasting removable marker for a chain space.
For a 24-stitch row, count in groups of four or six rather than restarting at one whenever you lose place. Grouping reduces recount time and makes a missing repeat easier to locate.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Does STS Mean in Crochet
Does STS include the turning chain?
STS includes the turning chain only when the designer says that the chain counts as a stitch. If the chain is a height-adjustment chain and does not count, the first actual stitch is worked into the first stitch of the previous row. Pattern notes override general conventions.
Is a chain stitch counted as a crochet stitch?
A chain stitch may count as a foundation stitch, a turning stitch, or a spacing element. A chain-3 used to create a chain space is not automatically three counted stitches in the finished row. Count chains according to the instruction and the stitch diagram.
Why does my crochet row have one fewer stitch?
A row usually loses one stitch when the crocheter misses the first or last stitch, skips a stitch after a turning chain, or works into the wrong edge loop. Place markers in the first and last actual stitches, then compare the row with the stated total.
What does “work across all sts” mean?
“Work across all sts” means use every remaining stitch in the row or round, usually with one specified stitch in each target. It excludes spaces unless the pattern has already defined those spaces as part of the repeat or explicitly says to work into them.
What does “in each st around” mean?
“In each st around” means make the stated stitch in every stitch top around the round until reaching the starting marker or join. It does not normally mean working into chain spaces, posts, or gaps unless the pattern defines those locations as stitches.
How do I count stitches in a crochet circle?
Count the finished stitch tops around the circumference, beginning at the round marker and ending immediately before it. In continuous rounds, move the marker into the first stitch of each new round, because the join is absent and the visual boundary can shift.
Conclusion
What Does STS Mean in Crochet has a simple answer: sts means stitches, the plural of st, but accurate use depends on knowing which stitch tops, spaces, chains, or decorative units a pattern includes. Read the abbreviation key, check the turning-chain rule, mark difficult boundaries, and verify the stated row or round total before continuing.