RS crochet meaning stands for right side, referring to the face of the fabric meant to show once finished, not a stitch instruction the way most other pattern abbreviations are. This abbreviation shows up constantly in patterns with textured stitch changes that depend on which side you are facing. This guide gives the direct definition.
Direct Answer
RS stands for right side, the face of your work intended to show on the finished piece. A pattern line reading “RS: dc in each st” means work that specific row while looking at the right side of the fabric, as distinct from WS, meaning wrong side.
Why This Matters
Some stitch patterns call for different instructions depending on whether you are facing the right or wrong side, especially textured patterns using front and back post stitches, making it important to track which side you are on throughout the project.
Frequently asked questions
What does WS mean in a crochet pattern?
WS stands for wrong side, the opposite face of RS, referring to the side of the fabric not meant to show on the finished piece.
Want to learn how to identify your right side?
See simple visual cues for telling right and wrong side apart.
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