Knitting abbreviations are used to make knitting patterns easier to read. This is a list of 96 commonly used abbreviations in knitting patterns.
When you first start knitting you will need to read the abbreviations given in your knitting pattern carefully and you will very quickly become used to them.
alt alternate
approx approximately
beg begin, beginning
BO bind off (cast off)
CC contrast colour
CDD centre double decrease – slip next two stitches together knitwise to right needle, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over knit stitch
circ(s) circular knitting needles
CO cast on
cm centimetre(s)
CN cable needle
cont continue
dec(s) decrease(s), decreasing
DK double knitting
dpn double pointed needle
est established
foll following
g gram
g st garter stitch (knit every row)
in(s) inch(es)
inc(s) increase(s), increasing
incl include
k knit
kfb or k1fb knit into the front and back of the same stitch – increase 1 stitch
k1tbl knit through the back loop of a stitch (thereby twisting it)
k2tog knit 2 stitches together – 1 stitch decreased
k3tog knit 3 stitches together – 2 stitches decreased
k2togtbl knit 2 stitches together through the back loops (thereby creating a twist while decreasing 1 stitch)
kfbf knit in front, back, front again of the next stitch – increases 1 stitch to 3 stitches
kfbfb knit in front, back, front, back again of the next stitch – increases 1 stitch to 4 stitches
kwise knitwise
LH left hand
LT left twist
m metre(s)
m or pm marker, insert marker, place marker
MB make bobble
MC main colour
meas measures
mm millimetre(s)
M1 make one – increase 1 stitch
M1L make one twisted to the left – increase 1 stitch
M1R make one twisted to the right – increase 1 stitch
M1p make one purlwise – increase 1 stitch
ndl(s) knitting needle(s)
ndl 1, ndl 2, ndl 3 first, second and third needles when knitting in the round. Use markers at the change points if using a circular needle instead of dpn’s
oz(s) ounces
p purl
patt(s) pattern(s)
patt rep(s) pattern repeat(s)
p1fb purl into the front and then the back of a stitch – increase 1 stitch
p2sso pass 2 slipped stitches over – decrease 2 stitches
p2tog purl 2 stitches together – decrease 1 stitch
p2togtbl purl 2 stitches together through the back loops – decrease 1 stitch and create a twist
p3tog purl 3 stitches together – decrease 2 stitches
PB place a bead
pfb purl into front and back of stitch – increase 1 stitch
pm place marker
prev previous
psso pass slipped stitch over
p2sso pass 2 slipped stitches over
pu pick up and knit
pwise purlwise
rem remaining
rep(s) repeat(s)
rev st st reverse stockinette stitch, reverse stocking stitch
RH right hand
rnd(s) round(s)
RS right side
RT right twist
skpo slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over – decrease 1 stitch
sk2po slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over – decrease 2 stitches
sl2tog-k1-psso slip 2 stitches together, knit 1 stitch, pass 2 slipped stitches over – 2 stitches decreased
ssk slip 2 stitches one at a time, knit 2 slipped stitches together – decrease 1 stitch
ssp slip 2 stitches one at a time, purl 2 stitches together through the back of the loops – decrease 1 stitch
sl slip
sl st slip stitch
sl 1 slip 1 stitch
sl 1k slip 1 stitch knitwise
sl 1p slip 1 stitch purlwise
st(s) stitch(es)
st st stocking stitch, stockinette stitch
tbl through back of loop
tog together
WS wrong side
WS work straight
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
w&t wrap and turn
ybk yarn to the back
yd(s) yard(s)
yfwd yarn forward
yo yarn over
yrn yarn round needle
yon yarn over needle
* repeat directions following * as many times as indicated or until end of row
[ ] instructions in square brackets refer to larger sizes
( ) repeat instructions in round brackets the number of times indicated
Links
Free Patterns on the Knitting Squirrel
- Fingerless Mittens Knitting Pattern
- Noro Striped Ribbed Scarf
- Noro Striped Ribbed Hat
- Sock Knitting Pattern Featuring Round Toe Shaping
Other Useful Information & Tips
Love to know abbreviations you discussed.. Thanks