Knitting abbreviations
Knitting patterns save space with abbreviations. Most of them follow the list kept by the Craft Yarn Council, so once you know them you can read most English-language patterns. If a pattern uses an abbreviation that isn’t here, check its own key, usually near the start.
Basic stitches and fabric
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
| st, sts | stitch, stitches |
| St st | stockinette stitch |
| rev St st | reverse stockinette stitch |
| CO | cast on |
| BO | bind off |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side |
| rnd | round |
| tbl | through the back loop |
| tfl | through the front loop |
Increases
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| inc | increase |
| M1 or M1K | make one stitch knitwise (adds 1 stitch) |
| M1L / M1R | make one left / make one right (adds 1 stitch, leaning left / right) |
| M1p | make one purlwise |
| kfb | knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch (adds 1 stitch) |
| pfb | purl into the front and then the back of the same stitch (adds 1 stitch) |
| yo | yarn over (adds 1 stitch and leaves a small hole) |
Decreases
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| dec | decrease |
| k2tog | knit 2 stitches together (removes 1, leans right) |
| p2tog | purl 2 stitches together (removes 1) |
| ssk | slip 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loops (removes 1, leans left) |
| SKP | slip 1 knitwise, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over (removes 1, leans left) |
| SK2P | slip 1 knitwise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over (removes 2, leans left) |
| S2KP2 | slip 2 as if to knit 2 together, knit 1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over (removes 2, centered) |
| psso | pass the slipped stitch over |
Slipping, markers and yarn position
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sl | slip |
| sl1k / sl1p | slip 1 knitwise / purlwise |
| kwise / pwise | knitwise / purlwise |
| pm | place marker |
| sm | slip marker |
| wyib / wyif | with yarn in back / in front |
| w&t | wrap and turn (used in short rows) |
Pattern instructions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| rep | repeat |
| * | repeat what follows the asterisk as instructed |
| [ ] or ( ) | work what is inside the brackets as many times as instructed |
| beg | beginning |
| cont | continue |
| rem | remaining |
| pat or patt | pattern |
| MC / CC | main color / contrasting color |
| dpn | double-pointed needles |
| cn | cable needle |
| LH / RH | left hand / right hand (needle) |
US and Canadian terms that differ
| US | Canada |
|---|---|
| bind off | cast off |
| gauge | tension |
To spread increases or decreases across a row, the increase and decrease evenly calculator writes the instructions using these abbreviations.
Questions
What does k2tog mean?
Knit two stitches together as if they were one. It removes one stitch and the decrease leans to the right.
What is the difference between k2tog and ssk?
Both remove one stitch. K2tog leans to the right; ssk (slip, slip, knit the two together through the back loops) leans to the left. Patterns often pair them so shaping is symmetrical.
What does M1 mean?
Make one. You create a new stitch between two existing stitches. M1L and M1R are versions that lean left and right.
Sources
- Craft Yarn Council, Knitting Abbreviations: abbreviations, meanings, lean direction of increases and decreases, and US/Canada term differences. Source: Craft Yarn Council's www.YarnStandards.com
Related
- Crochet abbreviations
Common crochet pattern abbreviations explained, in US terms.
- Increase and decrease evenly calculator
Spread increases or decreases across a row or round and get the written instructions.
- Knitting needle size chart
Every common needle size in millimeters and US numbers.