68 Knitting Abbreviations Every Knitter Needs to Know
These are the most important knitting abbreviations you can’t knit without
I’ve heard from many knitters who find themselves knitting only the simplest projects because they have trouble reading patterns.
I’m fairly adept at reading most patterns. However, every now and then I come across a pattern that feels more like a calculus equation than a knitting pattern! I’m convinced that a big reason for this is knitting abbreviations and symbols.
While many pattern writers are good about explaining the abbreviations they use, many others assume you know. The good news is that these abbreviations are fairly standard. All you really need is a good guide!
That’s where the guide below comes in! Now, this guide is by no means complete; you can find literally hundreds of abbreviations and symbols in the knitting world.
But the ones below are the ones you’re most likely to encounter in a knitting pattern.
Guide to the Most Common Knitting Abbreviations & Symbols
“ – inch(es)
( ) – work instructions within parentheses as written
* – repeat instructions following the single asterisk as written (Example: K2, *p3, k1, repeat from * to end)
** – repeat instructions following the asterisks as written (see above example but replace * with **)
[ ] – work instructions within brackets however many times (Example: [k2, p2] 3 times)
alt – alternate
beg – begin/beginning
bet – between
BO – bind off
CA – color A (main color)
CB – color B (secondary color)
CC – contrasting color
cm – centimeter(s)
cn – cable needle
CO – cast on
cont – continue
dec – decrease/decreases/decreasing
DPN – double pointed needle(s)
foll – follow/follows/following
g – gram
inc – increase/increases/increasing
k or K – knit
k1, s1, psso – knit one, slip one, pass slipped stitch over (decreases 1 stitch)
k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decreases 1 stitch)
k2tog tbl – knit 2 stitches together through the back of the loop (decreases 1 stitch)
kfb – knit into front and back of a stitch (increases 1 stitch)
kwise – knitwise (or “as if to knit”)
LH – left hand
lp(s) – loop(s)
M1 p st – make one purl stitch (increases 1 stitch)
M1 – make one stitch (usually a knit stitch if not specified – increases 1 stitch)
MC – main color
mm – millimeter(s)
oz – ounce(s)
p or P – purl
p2tog – purl 2 stitches together (decreases 1 stitch)
pat(s) or patt – pattern(s)
pfb – purl into front and back of a stitch (increases 1 stitch)
pm – place marker
psso – pass slipped stitch over
pwise – purlwise (or “as if to purl”)
rem – remain/remaining
rep – repeat(s)
rev St st – reverse stockinette stitch (meaning the purl side is the right side)
RH – right hand
rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
sk – skip
sk2p – slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together stitch (decreases 2 stitches)
Skp – slip, knit, pass stitch over (decreases 1 stitch)
sl st – slip stitch(es)
sl – slip
sl1k – slip 1 knitwise
sl1p – slip 1 purlwise
ssk – slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together (decreases 1 stitch)
sssk – slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together (decreases 2 stitches)
St st – stockinette stitch/stocking stitch (meaning the knit side is the right side)
st(s) – stitch(es)
tbl – through back loop
tog – together
WS – wrong side
wyib – with yarn in back
wyif – with yarn in front
yd(s) – yard(s)
yfwd – yarn forward
yo – yarn over (increases 1 stitch)
yon – yarn over needle
yrn – yarn around needle
Did I leave any abbreviations out? Let me know in the comments!