Knitting abbreviations are used in knitting patterns to save space when printing and to make patterns easier to read. But if you don’t know what an abbreviation means, it’s like you’re reading an unfamiliar language.
While many knitting abbreviations make sense to people who been knitting for a while, they can be confusing and frustrating to new knitters. And when long-time knitters come across an unfamiliar abbreviation, they can be just as confused and have no idea how to do the next stitch in the pattern.
Common Knitting Abbreviations
Here are 111 common abbreviations you will find in knitting patterns. Whether you’re looking for knitting abbreviations for ssk, pm, kfb, tbl, sm, psso, yo, or rs, you’re sure to find what you need and a little more.
- alt – alternate
- approx – approximately
- beg – beginning
- bet – between
- bo – bind off
- cable – move number of stitch(es) as indicated in the pattern to the cable needle, hold cable needle in the front of or back of work as indicated in pattern and work next set of stitches per pattern, then work stitch(es) off of cable needle
- cc – contrasting color
- ch – chain
- cm – centimeter
- cn – cable needle
- cont – continue
- cross – move number of stitch(es) as indicated in the pattern to the cable needle, hold cable needle in the front of back of work as indicated in pattern and work next set of stitches per pattern, then work stitch(es) off of cable needle
- dc – double crochet
- dec – decrease
- dec(d) – decreased
- dec(s) – decrease(s)
- dp – double pointed needles
- dpn – double pointed needles
- foll – follow, follows, following
- g st – garter stitch
- hdc – half double crochet
- in – inch
- inc(d) – increased
- inc(s) – increase(s), increasing
- incl – including
- k – knit
- k1-b – knit 1 stitch in row below
- k1b-tbl – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
- k1-f/b – knit the next stitch but do not remove the stitch from the left needle, then knit through the back loop of the same stitch and remove the stitch from the needle
- k1tbl – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
- k2tog – knit 2 stitches together
- k3tog – knit 3 stitches together
- kfb – knit the next stitch but do not remove the stitch from the left needle, then knit through the back loop of the same stitch and remove the stitch from the needle
- kfbf – knit the next stitch but do not remove the stitch from the left needle, then knit through the back loop of the same stitch and remove the stitch from the needle
- kkyopsso – knit 2 stitches, make a yarn over, pass the two knit stitches over the yarn over
- k-p-k – knit the next stitch but do not remove the stitch from the left needle, purl through the back loop of the same stitch, knit into the same stitch and remove the stitch from the needle
- krb – knit in the row below
- k-yo-k – knit the next stitch but do not remove the stitch from the left needle, make a yarn over, then knit into the stitch again and remove the stitch from the needle
- lh – left hand
- lp(s) – loop(s)
- lt – left twist
- m – marker
- m1 – make 1 by inserting the left needle from front to back lifting a strand of yarn between the stitches on each needle then knit the strand through the back loop
- m1L – make 1 by inserting the left needle from front to back lifting a strand of yarn between the stitches on each needle then knit the strand through the back loop
- m1p – make 1 by inserting the left needle from back to front lifting a strand of yarn between the stitches on each needle then purl strand through the front loop
- m1pR – make 1 by inserting the left needle from back to front lifting a strand of yarn between the stitches on each needle then purl strand through the front loop
- m1R – make 1 by inserting the left needle from back to front lifting a strand of yarn between the stitches on each needle then knit the strand
- mb – make bobble
- mc – main color
- mk – make knit
- p – purl
- p1-b – purl 1 stitch in row below
- p2sso – pass 2 slipped stitches over number of stitches indicated in the pattern
- p2tog – purl 2 stitches together
- p3tog – purl 3 stitches together
- pat(s) – pattern(s)
- pfb – purl into the front of the stitch but do not remove the stitch from the left needle, then purl through the back loop of the same stitch and remove the stitch from the needle
- pm – place marker
- psso – pass slipped stitches over number of stitches indicated in the pattern
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- rev – reverse
- rev st st – reverse stockinette stitch
- rh – right hand
- rnd – round
- rpt – repeat
- rs – right side
- rt – right twist
- s2kp2 – slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stiches over knitted stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip
- sk2p – slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stich over
- sk2psso – slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over
- skp – slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over
- sl – slip
- sl st – slip stitch
- sl1k – slip 1 stitch knitwise
- sl1p – slip 1 stitch purlwise
- sm – slip marker
- sp(s) – space(s)
- ss – slip stitch
- ssk – slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, place left needle through front of 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches together through back loop
- ssp – slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, pass the 2 stitches back to the left needle, purl the 2 stitches together through the back loops
- sssk – slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit the 3 stitches together
- sssp – slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, pass the 3 stitches back to the left needle, purl the 3 stitches through the back loops
- st – stitch
- st st – stockinette stitch
- tbl – through the back loop
- t-ch – turning chain
- tog – together
- tr – treble crochet stitch
- w&t – wrap and turn
- wb – move yarn between the needles to the back of the work
- wf – move yarn between the needles to the front of the work
- wl bk – move yarn between the needles to the back of the work
- wl fwd – move yarn between the needles to the front of the work
- wrn – wrap yarn around needle
- ws – wrong side
- wyib – with yarn in back
- wyif – with yarn in front
- yb – yarn in back
- yd – yard
- yf – yarn in front
- yfon – yarn forward and over needle
- yfrn – yarn forward and round needle
- yfwd – move yarn between the needles to the front of the work
- yo – yarn over
- yo twice – yarn over twice
- yo2 – yarn over twice
- yon – yarn over needle
- yrn – yarn round needle
What Does it Mean When Knitting Instructions are in Brackets?
When knitting instructions are in brackets, it means that you should work the instructions within the brackets as many times as directed.
What do Asterisks ** Mean in Knitting Instructions?
When knitting instructions are in asterisks, it means you should work the stitches between the asterisks as many times as directed.
Why are Crochet Abbreviations Used in Knitting Patterns?
Some knitting patterns call for crochet edgings and will use crochet abbreviations in the instructions for the edging.
Also, some methods for the provisional cast-on use a crochet chain as part of the cast-on. A chain is crocheted, with the cast-on stitches knitted directly into the crochet chain. The crochet chain keeps the knitting stitches “live” until they are ready to be worked later in the pattern.
What Does K1 Mean in Knitting?
K1 means knit one. The abbreviation k means knit. Numbers after the letter k represent how many stitches to knit. Thus, k1 means knit one, k2 means knit two, and so on.
What Does P2 Mean in Knitting?
Just as k2 means knit 2, p2 means purl 2. The abbreviation p means purl. Numbers after the p tell you how many stitches to purl. Thus p1 means purl 1, p2 means purl 2, and so on.
I hope these knitting abbreviations and meanings make your knitting patterns easy to understand.
What is meant by, K2, 1pulled our st, *k3, 1 pulled out k st* etc. I can’t find anything about ‘pulled out stitches’. The book with the pattern is 1500 PATTERNS and the pattern is ZIGZAG PULLED OUT STITCHES on page 92.
Hi Helen, I don’t have that book, but it is referring to an elongated stitch where you pull up a stitch from a row below the st on your needle.
Hi, I am knitting jacket with shawl collar. I don’t understand when the knittING pattern says to change the needles continue in st st until work measure 11 ins . This what understand is this from the rib or when I change needles knit st st 11ins ?
Measure from the beginning of your knitted piece. The pattern is referring to the entire piece you’ve knitted, not from when you change the needles. If the rib is the start of the pattern, then the rib should be part of the 11 inches.
A tip for the future: When in doubt, look at the picture of the finished project. You can usually tell if the pattern is calling for ll inches st st or 11 inches from the cast on.
I don’t see p1tbl – purl 1 through the back loop
Hi Caryn,
p1tbl is a twisted stitch that sounds trickier than it is. It’s made by inserting the right needle through the back of the first stitch on the left needle from left to right (normally for a p1 you insert it right to left). When you insert the needle, you’ll see how it twists the stitch. Simply wrap the yarn around the needle and finish it like a regular purl stitch.
Msny thanks for your efforts, l hope you more progress
Thanks Weam!
Hi I’ve taken up knitting again after 30 years and I’m stuck on the sleeve as it says to increase at each end of 3rd then every following 6th row but has this in brackets, it says 2(11:11:4) I’m not sure what this means can you help please?
Hi Mandy, Without seeing the pattern, it’s hard to tell what the information in brackets means. It could refer to how you’re supposed to repeat the pattern or measurements (such as 2 sleeves with a cuff 4″ wide). If the pattern doesn’t explain what it means, you might want to ask the designer. It isn’t a normal way to write a pattern. Usually designers will explain unusual terms in notes or informational areas at the beginning of a pattern.
Hi ,I am knitting a baby cardigan with a pattern up the fronts.I understand all the abreviations but near the end of each alternate row it says “the” then carries on with more patt that I don’t have enough stitches left to do.
Hi Kathleen, You should look for errata for the pattern or contact the designer about the mistake in the pattern.
what is an icord?
An icord is a knitted cord.
Ive started to knit the sleeve of a jumper pattern says ” keep pattern correct (as for back) as placed in the last 13 rows. It is as placed I cant understand. appreciate help. Lyn
Hi Lyn, I think it means that you should repeat the pattern that you did over the last 13 rows. If you look at the picture of the finished project, you can probably tell how the sleeve pattern is knit.
I’m knitting a pair of gloves and it had w + t no idea what this is meaning
Hi Melanie – It sounds like you’re doing short rows that require you to wrap and turn.