These are all the knitting abbreviations you need to know
If you're new to the world of knitting you might be a little confused by the abbreviations or knitting terminology used in knitting patterns.
It can seem like a whole new and confusing language (especially for beginner knitters) but don't let it put you off trying out new patterns and projects.
Once you understand how knitting abbreviations work and some of the most common terms used, you'll be stitching up a storm and creating beautiful new pieces for your home and wardrobe. There are so many brilliant knitting project ideas that you'll be able to confidently get going on.
And don't miss our guide to the key knitting stitches – we've rounded up all the key ones you need to learn.
Why do we use knitting abbreviations?
As counterintuitive as it seems, knitting abbreviations are used to make things more simple and quicker to read when you're working through a pattern. If every row of stitches had to be written out in long form, like a craft tutorial, you'd end up with knitting patterns as books rather than A4 sheets or magazine pages.
Brush up on your stitching shorthand with our handy knitting abbreviations guide! It means you'll be able to whizz through any knitting patterns quickly and easily.
Knitting abbreviations glossary
Knitting pattern abbreviations can vary between pattern providers and even countries, but once you understand the basics, you can piece together the instructions easily and follow the pattern step by step to create your project.
alt: Alternate
approx: Approximately
beg: Beginning
bet: Between
bo: Bind off
cc: Contrasting colour
cdd: Centre double decrease. Slip 2 stitches together, knit one stitch, pass the slipped stitches over (together)
cddp: Centre double decrease purl
cdi: centre double increase
ch: Chain using crochet hook
cn: Cable needle
Watch our step-by-step guide to how to cable knit.
co: Cast on/off
cont: Continue
C 2 L: Cross two stitches to the left
C 2 R: Cross two stitches to the right
C2PL: Cross two, purl left
C2PR: Cross two, purl right
dec(s): Decreases
DK: Double knitting weight yarn
dpn (or dp): Double pointed needles.
EON: End of needle
EOR: End of row
fl: Front loops
foll: Following
grp(s): Groups
g st: Garter stitch, knit every row
Watch our garter stitch video tutorial.
incl: Including
inc(s): Increases
hk: Hook
k: Knit
K1b: Knit one through the back loop
k1 f&b (or kfb): Knit one stitch in the front, then another through the back. Also known as a Bar Increase
K1 tbl: Knit one through the back loop
k2tog: Knit two stitches together.
k2tog tbl: Knit two stitches together, through the back loop
k-b: Knit through the back loop, or knit below
k tbl: Knit one through the back loop
kfb: Knit into the front and back of a stitch, an increase
kll: Knit left loop; an increase
krl: Knit right loop; an increase
k-wise: Knit wise
KYOK: Knit, yarn over, knit; a double increase
LC: Left cross (in knitting cables)
LH: Left hand
lp(s): Loop(s)
LT: Left twist, to cross stitches and twist two strands of yarn
M1: Make one stitch; an increase
M1A: Make one away; an increase
M1B: Make one back; an increase
M1F: Make one front; an increase
M1L: Make one left; an increase
M1R: Make one right; an increase
M1T: Make one towards; an increase
p: Purl
Learn how to purl with our video tutorial.
p1 f&b: Purl into the front and back of a stitch; an increase (also called pfb)
p2tog: Purl two stitches together
p2tog tbl: Purl two together through the back loops
pat(s) (or patt(s)): Patterns
pfb: Purl into the front and back of a stitch; an increase
pm: Place marker
pnso: Pass next stitch over
prev: Previous
psso: Pass slipped stitch over (as in slip 1, knit 1, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch)
pu: Pick up stitches
p-wise: Purl-wise
RC: Right cross (as in: cross 2 R)
rem: Remaining
rep: Repeats
rev St st: Reverse stocking (stockinette) stitch
RH: Right hand
Rib: Ribbing
rnd(s): Round(s). In circular knitting, rows are called "rounds"
RS: Right side, meaning the right side of the fabric (the side meant to be shown on the outside)
RT: Right twist, to twist two strands of yarn and cross stitches
sb: Slip back one stitch (to the left needle after knitting it)
sk: Skip
sk2p: Slip1, knit 2 tog, pass slipped stitch over (a double decrease)
SKP (or skpo): Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over the knit stitch (the same as sl1, k1, psso)
sl (or s): Slip a stitch
sl st: Slip stitches
sp(s): Space(s)
ssk: Slip a stitch, slip the next stitch, knit the slipped stitches together; a decrease
ssk (improved): slip one stitch, slip the next stitch purl-wise, knit slipped stitches together
ssp: Slip a stitch, slip the next stitch, purl; a decrease
sssk: Slip, slip, slip, knit 3 slipped stitches together; a double decrease
st(s): Stitch(es)
St st: Stocking (stockinette) stitch
Get to grips with stocking stitch with our step-by-step video.
T2L: Twist two to the left
T2R: Twist two to the right
tbl: Through the back loop
TM: knit to marker
tog: Together
won: Wool over needle
wrn: Wool around needle
WS: Wrong side, or reverse side, meaning the side of the fabric meant to be worn on the inside
wyib: With yarn in back
wyif: With yarn in front
yb (or ybk): Yarn back
yfon: Yarn forward and over needle
yfrn: Yarn forward and around needle
yfwd (or yf): Yarn forward
yo: Yarn over and wrap the yarn around the right needle
" or in: Inches
() or {} or [ ]: work instructions between brackets/parentheses as many times as directed
* : repeat instruction from the single asterisk
**: repeat instruction from the double asterisk
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