Knitting abbreviations explained
Ever find patterns a little bit cryptic? (Don’t worry! You’re not alone.) Whether you’re new to the knitting game or just need a refresh, we’ve put together an encyclopedia of all those nifty abbreviations and what they mean so you won’t be left scratching your head.
Knitting abbreviation | Explanation |
|---|---|
" | inches |
() | work instructions between parentheses as many times as directed |
[] | work instructions between brackets as many times as directed |
* | repeat instructions from the single asterix as directed |
** | repeat instructions until double asterix as directed |
alt | alternate |
approx. | approximately |
beg | begin(ning) |
bet | between |
BO | bind off (continental or English) |
CA | colour A |
CB | colour 4 |
CC | contrasting colour |
cdd | centered double decrease. sl2 tog, K1, pass the slipped stitches over (together) English or Continental |
ch | chain (using crochet hook). Start with a slip knot. |
cm | centimeters |
cn | cable needle: short knitting needle, used as an aid in the twisting of a cable. |
CO | cast on / off |
cont | continue |
cross | 2 L 2 stitches to the left (to work a cable). Slip 2 stitches purl wise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in front of work as you knit the next couple of stitches; then knit stitches off of cable needle. |
cross | 2 R 2 stitches to the right (to work a cable). slip 2 stitches purl wise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in back of work as you knit the next couple of stitches; then knit stitches off of cable needle. |
dec(s) | decrease(s) |
DK | Double Knitting weight yarn. Slightly finer than worsted weight. |
EON | end of needle |
EOR | end of row |
FC | front cross (when working a cable) |
fl | front loop |
g | aka gr gram |
g st | garter stitch |
in(s) | inch(es) |
inc(s) | increase(s) |
incl | including |
k | knit |
k tbl | aka K1 tbl, K1b Knit stitch through the backloop English or Continental |
k1 f&b | aka kfb knit 1 stitch in the front, then in the back. This is also called a Bar Increase English or continental |
k2tog | knit 2 stitches together |
k2tog tbl | knit 2 stitches together, through the back loops |
kb | knit stitch in row below English or Continental (Infrequently used for knit through the back loop; see K tbl) |
kll | knit left loop. An increase |
krl | knit right loop. An increase |
kwise | knitwise. Insert right needle into the stitch as if to knit it |
LC | left cross (to work a cable). As in: cross 2 L |
LH | left hand |
lp(s) | loop(s) |
LT | left twist (where two stitches cross each other, as in the smallest cable stitch possible) |
m | meter(s) |
M1 | Make 1. This means to increase a stitch. If the method isn't specified, use whichever increase you like, for instance M1F |
M1A | make 1 away. An Increase English or Continental |
M1L | aka M1, M1F make 1 (front)(left). An increase. From the front, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into back of loop English or Continental |
M1R | aka M1B make 1 (back) (right). An increase. From the back, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into front of loop |
M1T | make 1 towards. An Increase |
MB | make bobble |
MC | main colour |
mm | millimeters(s) |
no | number |
oz | ounce(s) |
p | purl English or Continental |
p tbl | aka P1 tbl, P1b purl through the back loop |
p-b | purl stitch in the row below. (infrequently used to mean purl stitch in the back loop; see p tbl) |
p-wise | purl wise: Insert right needle down into the front loop, or up into the back loop for tbl |
p1 f&b | aka pfb purl the front of a stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch |
p2tog | purl 2 together |
p2tog tbl | purl 2 together through the back loops |
pat(s) | aka patt(s) pattern(s) |
PM | place marker |
PNSO | pass next stitch over |
pop | popcorn stitch |
prev | previous |
PSSO | pass the slipped stitch over (as in slip 1, knit 1, psso) |
pu | pick up stitches |
RC | right cross (to work a cable), as in: cross 2 R |
rem | remaining |
rep | repeat(s) |
rev StSt | Reverse stockinette/stocking stitch. The "purl" side of plain, stocking stitch. Purled on RS, knitted on WS |
RH | right hand |
rib | ribbing: vertical columns of knit and purl stitches, side by side, as in K1, P1 ribbing |
rnd(s) | round(s). In circular knitting, a "row" is called a "round." |
RS | right side, for instance the outside of a sweater. Stated to indicate which side is facing you when carrying out instructions |
RT | right twist (where two stitches cross each other, as in the smallest cable stitch possible) |
sk | skip |
sk2p | slip1, knit 2 tog, pass slipped stitch over. (a double decrease) |
SKP | aka skpo "Slip, Knit, Pass." Slip a stitch, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit one. The same as: sl1, k1, psso |
sl | aka s slip a stitch. If they don't specify, slip the stitch purl-wise....Unless you are decreasing: then, slip it knit-wise on the knit rows, and purl-wise on the purl rows |
sl st | slip stitch(es) |
sl1, k1, psso | slip1, knit1, pass the slipped stitch over. The same as SKP |
sl1p | aka sl 1 p-wise slip a stitch purl-wise |
slip | knot an adjustable loop, used to begin many cast-on methods |
sp(s) | space(s) |
ss | slip stitch (Canadian) |
ssk | slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together. A decrease |
ssk (improved) | sl 1, sl 1 p-wise, knit slipped stitches together |
ssp | slip, slip, purl. A decrease, usually done on the purl-side |
sssk | slip, slip, slip, knit 3 slipped stitches together. A double decrease |
st (s) | stitch(es) |
st St | Stockinette/Stocking stitch |
tbl | through the back loop |
won | wool over needle |
wrn | wool round needle |
WS | wrong side, for instance the inside of the sweater. Stated to indicate which side is facing you when carrying out instructions |
wyib | with yarn in back |
wyif | with yarn in front |
yb | aka ybk yarn to the back |
yd(s) | yard(s) |
yfon | yarn forward and over needle. Same as yo |
yfrn | yarn forward and 'round needle. Same as yo |
yfwd | aka yf yarn forward |
yo | yarn over: wrap the yarn around right needle |
yo2 | aka yo twice yarn over twice |
yon | yarn over needle. Same as yo |
yrn | yarn 'round needle. Same as yo |
