2 syllables: Cro, chet. Stress on chet.
kroh-SHAY
/kɹoʊˈʃeɪ/
Crochet is pronounced kroh-SHAY (/kɹoʊˈʃeɪ/). It has two syllables (Cro-chet), with the stress on "chet". Crochet (noun) refers to a craft and technique for creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with a hooked needle. It can describe the resulting fabric or the activity itself. The term conveys a precise, handcraft skill and is commonly associated with delicate textures and intricate patterns.
nounCrochet (noun) refers to a craft and technique for creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with a hooked needle. It can describe the resulting fabric or the activity itself. The term conveys a precise, handcraft skill and is commonly associated with delicate textures and intricate patterns.
- Common challenge: untangling the /ro/ vowel from the /ʃ/ onset in /ʃeɪ/. Tip: practice with a slight pause and then blend: /ˈkroʊˌʃeɪ/ without breaking the syllables. - Mistake: pronouncing as CRO-chet with equal stress on both syllables or stressing the second too much. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, soft secondary on the second. - Issue: mispronouncing /eɪ/ as /ɛ/ or /i:/; correct approach: end with a clean /eɪ/ glide, mouth in a wide smile shape, tongue high behind teeth.
How to Pronounce Crochet
"She learned crochet to make scarves and shawls for friends."
"The crochet workshop covered Tunisian patterns as well as basic stitches."
"Her grandmother’s crochet blankets hung over the sofa, bright with color."
Crochet is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈkroʊˌʃeɪ/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: CRO-; the second syllable is a lighter, unstressed 'shay' (/ʃeɪ/). Mouth position starts with the vowel sound in 'go', followed by a /ʃ/ consonant and a diphthong /eɪ/. You’ll hear the 'kro' leading into a soft 'shay'—like ‘cro’ + ‘shay’ in quick succession. An audio reference like Pronounce or dictionary audio can help you hear the exact rhythm.
Two common errors: misplacing the stress or lengthening the second syllable too much. Some say ‘CRO-chet’ with equal emphasis or ‘cro-SHET’, mispronouncing the /ʃ/ and /eɪ/ blend. Correct it by emphasizing /ˈkroʊ/ first, then a short, clean /ʃeɪ/; keep /eɪ/ as a crisp diphthong ending. Practice the transition between /oʊ/ and /ʃ/ without a vowel gap, and listen to native pattern pronunciations to lock the flow.
In US English, /ˈkroʊˌʃeɪ/ places strong opening /oʊ/ and a clear /ʃeɪ/. UK and other accents tend to reduce the diphthong slightly; you may hear a shorter /oʊ/ or a more centralized /əʊ/ in some speakers. Australian pronunciation resembles US patterns but can be influenced by vowel shifts, sometimes giving a slightly more open or rounded initial vowel. Overall, the rhotics don’t alter this word much, but vowel quality and timing can shift subtly between regions.
Crochet involves a stressed first syllable with a long /oʊ/ vowel and a following /ʃ/ cluster leading into /eɪ/. The diphthong in /oʊ/ and the /ʃ/–/eɪ/ transition can be tricky for non-native speakers because it blends a rounded back vowel with a palatal fricative and a rising diphthong. Additionally, the hyphenated two-syllable rhythm can cause stress misplacement or an overemphasis on the second syllable if spoken quickly.
A useful, crochet-specific question is whether the word is pronounced with a clear hiatus between /ro/ and /ʃeɪ/ or a more fluid glide. In most natural speech, the transition from /ˈkroʊ/ to /ʃeɪ/ is smooth and connected, with the /ʃ/ immediately following the vowel before the mouth closes for /eɪ/. This yields a seamless CROH-SHAY flow rather than a hard break. Listening to pattern catalogs and tutorial narrations can help you hear the typical connected pronunciation.
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- US: rhotic vowel quality is less relevant here; ensure a robust /oʊ/ with rounded lips and closed mouth for /ʃ/; the /eɪ/ glides with a slight jaw drop toward the end. - UK: may sound a touch shorter in /oʊ/ and a crisper /ʃeɪ/; keep tongue on the alveolar ridge for the /ʃ/ and allow more forward lip rounding. - AU: similar to US but can feature a slightly more centralized /oʊ/ and a marginally broader vowel chart; keep rhoticity consistent with AU patterns in other words, but this word remains non-rhotic in most contexts; rely on US-like patterns for consistency in international craft communities.
Crochet comes from the French word crochet, meaning 'hook' or 'hooked tool', which itself derives from the Old French crochet meaning ‘hook, barb’ and possibly related to Latin crochet or crux. The earliest usage in English dates to the 19th century, with references appearing in fashion and domestic handcraft literature as crochet became popular in Europe. The term initially described the hooked needle technique rather than the fabric and gradually expanded to denote both the technique and the resulting crocheted items. The evolution reflects a broader Victorian-era fascination with handcrafts, a revival of needlework practices, and the establishment of specialized terms for textile arts. Over time, crochet has diversified into numerous stitches, patterns, and regional styles, embedding itself in craft communities worldwide. First known uses appear in French and English texts around the 1820s–1840s, often tabulated alongside knitting and crochet lace. Modern usage also contrasts crochet with other yarn crafts, emphasizing its hook-and-loop interlocking method instead of simple knit or purl stitches.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Crochet" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Crochet"
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