Are you new to knitting or are there unfamiliar knitting abbreviations in your knitting pattern? In that case, you have come to the right place!
In this complete guide to knitting abbreviations, you will learn what knitting abbreviations are and if they are standard. You will also find a list of the most common knitting abbreviations.
If you are in a hurry, you can jump straight to the list of knitting abbreviations or use the search function (Ctrl + F on a Windows or Command + F on a Mac) to find a specific abbreviation faster.
What Are Knitting Abbreviations?
Knitting abbreviations are a shorthand way of communicating instructions in knitting patterns. In other words, they make patterns simpler, shorter, and clearer. Instead of using long sentences that are difficult to follow at a glance, abbreviations make patterns easier to read and follow.
Most patterns use abbreviations to indicate basic knitting stitches, such as knit and purl, as well as more complex stitches, actions, and techniques, like increases, decreases, and cable knitting, that you will encounter as you knit.
It can be very confusing to read a pattern for the first time when you are new to knitting. However, once you learn the basic knitting abbreviations, it will become quite simple.
For other knitting terminology, make sure to check out the knitter’s guide to essential knitting terms. It will explain the most common terms and acronyms you’ll find in knitting patterns and hear knitters talking about.
Are Knitting Abbreviations Standard?
Basically, there are no fixed standard knitting abbreviations. However, there are widely recognized abbreviations that are used by different pattern designers and even countries (e.g. US and UK).
For example, K for knit and P for purl are commonly used in most patterns. In addition, you can also find variations on these abbreviations that sound similar and that you can understand based on the context, such as “stockinette stitch” and “stocking stitch”.
In addition to the commonly used abbreviations, some designers may also use their own unique abbreviations. For this reason, a definition of special abbreviations is usually given at the beginning of a pattern and they may also list other abbreviations to help the knitter navigate its way through the pattern.
A List of Knitting Abbreviations
The knitting abbreviations below are commonly used in knitting patterns, including both US and UK terminology. In addition, patterns can include some special abbreviations, which you cannot find on this list.
General
* repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed
* * repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
{ } work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
[ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
Knitting Abbreviations A to Z
alt
alternate
approx
approximately
b&t
break and tighten
beg
beginning
bet
between
bk3tog
brioche knit three together; a right-leaning decrease for the brioche stitch
BO
bind off; also known as cast-off
BOR
beginning of round or row
Br4st dec
brioche four stitch decrease; a double decrease for the brioche stitch
brk
brioche knit
brkyobrk
brioche knit yarn over brioche knit; a centered increase for the brioche stitch
brkyobrkyobrk
brioche knit yarn over brioche knit yarn over brioche knit; a centered double increase for the brioche stitch
brp
brioche purl
bsk2p
brioche slip, knit two, pass; a right-leaning decrease for the brioche stitch
byo
backward yarn over; often also reverse yarn often
C2B
cable two back; slip one stitch to cable needle and hold in back, knit one, knit one from cable needle
C2F
cable two front; slip one stitch to cable needle and hold in front, knit one, knit one from cable needle
c2l or cross 2 L
cross two stitches to the left
c2r or cross 2 R
cross two stitches to the right
C4B
cable four back; slip two stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit two, knit two from cable needle
C4F
cable four front; slip two stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit two, knit two from cable needle
C6B
cable six back; slip three stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit three, knit three from cable needle
C6F
cable six front; slip three stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit three, knit three from cable needle
CA
color A
CB
color B
cb
cable back
CC
contrast color
cdd
centered double decrease; a variation of k3tog
CDDP
centered double decrease purl; a variation of p3tog
CDI
central double increase; a centered increase that increases by two stitches
cf
cable forward
ch
chain
circ
circular needles
cm
centimeters
cn
cable needle
cnr
corner
CO
cast on; sometimes also cast-off
cont or cont.
continue
CSD
centered single decrease
CSDB
centered single decrease back
dec
decrease
decs
decreases
DI
double increase; also known as Make two
DK
double knitting
dpn or DPNs
double-pointed needles
EON
end of needle
EOR
end of row
eor
every other row or round
est
established
FC
front cross
fl
front loop
foll or foll.
follow or following
folls or folls.
follows
g
grams
g st or g. st
garter stitch
grp
group
in or “
inches
inc or inc. or incs
increase using method of your choice; usually knit into same stitch twice
incl
including
k or K
knit
k1B
knit one below; knit one stitch into the row below
k2B
knit two below; knit into the stitch two rows below
k3B
knit three below; knit into the stitch three rows below
k2tog
knit two together; a single right-leaning decrease
k2tog left
knit two together left; a single left-leaning decrease
k2tog tbl
knit two together through the back loop; a single left-leaning decrease
k3tog
knit three together; a right-leaning double decrease
kbf
knit back an front; very similar to kfb but leaves a less pronounced bar
kbl
knit through the back loop
kfb or K1 F&B
knit front back; knit one into front and back of a stitch; a single left-leaning increase
kfbf
knit front back front
kfsb
knit front, slip back; a left-leaning increase
KLL
knit left loop; a left-leaning increase; sometimes also called left-lifted increase (LLI)
KRL
knit right loop; a right-leaning increase; sometimes also called right-lifted increase (RLI)
ksp
knit, slip, pass; knit one stitch, slip this stitch from right needle to left needle, pass the second stitch on the left needle over the first stitch and off the left needle, then return the stitch to right needle; a right-leaning decrease
ktbl or k tbl or k1tbl
knit through the back loop; results in twisted knit stitches
kwise or kw
knitwise
KYOK
knit one, yarn over, knit one into the same stitch again; an increase technique used when knitting stacked increases
LC
left cross
LH
left hand
LLI
left lifted increase
LLPI
left lifted purl increase; also known as purl left loop (PLL) or purled left loop increase (PLLI)
lp
loop
lps
loops
LPT
left purl travel; a left-leaning cable cross where the second stitch ending up below is a purl stitch
LSI
Left simple inset increase
LT
left twist; a mock cable leaning to the left
LTCO
long tail cast-on; one of the most popular ways to start a knitting project
m
marker
M1
make one; a generic way to say create one new stitch
M1A
make one away
M1BL
make one back loop; a left-leaning increase and a way to cast on stitches at the end of a row
M1K
make one knitwise; make one stitch by knitting into back of loop between two stitches; the most simple knitting increase
M1L
make one left; with left-hand needle tip, lift the strand between needles from front to back and then knit lifted loop through the back of loop; a left-leaning increase
M1lp
make one left purlwise; with left-hand needle tip, lift the strand between needles from front to back and then purl lifted loop through the back of loop; a left-leaning purl increase
M1P or M1pw
make one purlwise; make one stitch by purling into back of loop between two stitches; a single purl increase
M1PL
make one purl left; a simple left-leaning increase for the wrong side; sometimes also called M1Lp
M1PR
make one purl right; a simple right-leaning increase for the wrong side; sometimes also called M1Rp
M1R
make one right; with left-hand needle tip, lift the strand between needles from back to front and then knit lifted loop through the front of loop; a right-leaning increase
M1rp
make one right purlwise; with left-hand needle tip, lift the strand between needles from back to front and then purl lifted loop through the front of loop; a right-leaning purl increase
M1T
make one towards
M2
make two, also known as double increase
MB
make bobble
MC
main color
mds
make double stitch; a special technique that is used to prevent holes from forming to the turning point when knitting short rows
meas
measure(s)
mm
millimeters
mrk
marker
N1
needle 1
N2
needle 2
N3
needle 3
no
number
oz
ounces
p or P
purl
p tbl
pull through back loop
p–b
purl stitch in the row below
p1 f&b
purl front and back; purl the front of the stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch; a single purl increase that leaves a little bar
P1B
purl one below; purl one stitch into the row below
P2B
purl two below; purl into the stitch two rows below
P3B
purl three below; purl into the stitch three rows below
P2SP
purl two, slip, pass; purl two stitches together, then slip the created stitch to the left needle and pass the second stitch over the purl stitch and move the remaining stitch back on the right needle; a left-leaning double purl decrease
p2sso
pass two slipped stitches over
p2tog
purl two together; a left-leaning purl decrease
p2tog tbl
purl two together through the back loop; a right-leaning purl decrease
p3tog
purl three together; a left-leaning double purl decrease
p3tog tbl
purl three together through the back loop; a right-leaning double purl decrease
pat or patt
pattern
patts
patterns
PB
place bead
pbf
purl back and front; purl into the back leg of the stitch and then purl into the front leg of the same stitch; a single purl increase that leaves a little bar
pfb
purl front back; purl the front of the stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch; a single purl increase that leaves a little bar
pfbf
purl front back front
PLL
purl left loop; also known as the left-lifted purl increase
PLLI
purled left loop increase; also known as the left-lifted purl increase
pm
place marker
pnso
pass next stitch over
pop
popcorn stitch
prev
previous
PRL
purl right loop; also known as the right-lifted purl increase
psso
pass slipped stitch over
ptbl or p1tbl
purl through the back loop; results in a twisted purl stitch
pu
pick up stitches
pwise or p–wise
purlwise
R
row or round
RC
right cross
rem
remain or remaining
rep
repeat
reps
repeats
rev St st
reverse stockinette stitch
rev YO
reverse yarn over
RH
right hand
rib
ribbing
rib2tog
either k2tog or p2tog depending on what next stitch in ribbing should be; results in a neat looking ribbing on buttonholes
RLI
right lifted increase
rnd
round (on a circular needle or DPNs)
rnds
rounds (on a circular needle or DPNs)
RPT
right purl travel; a right-leaning cable cross of two stitches where the first stitch ending up below is a purl stitch
RS
right side
RSI
right simple inset increase
RT
right twist; a mock cable leaning to the right
S2KP2 or s2kpo
slip two stitches together, knit one, pass two slip stitches over; a centered double decrease
SB2
slip back two; slip two increased stitches back to the left needle purlwise when knitting stacked increases
sel or sel s
selvage, selvedge, or selvage stitch; a self-finished edge
sk
skip
SK2P or sk2po
slip one knitwise, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over; a left-leaning double decrease
SKL
slip, knit, lift; a right-leaning bar increase mirroring kfb
SKP
slip, knit, pass; slip one stitch knitwise, knit one stitch and then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch; a single left-leaning decrease
skpo
slip, knit, pass over; slip one stitch, knit one stitch and then pass the slipped stitch over; a single left-leaning decrease
sl or sl. or S
slip; slip one stitch without knitting it
sl st
slip stitch; stitches you slipped before; sometimes abbreviated also as ss
sl1k
slip one knitwise
sl1p
slip one purlwise
slk or slip knot or slipknot
a simple knot; often used to start a cast-on
sm or slm
slip marker
sp
space
SP2P or SP2
slip, purl two, pass; slip one stitch knitwise, then purl two stitches together and pass the slipped stitch over the purl stitch; a right-leaning double purl decrease
ss
slip stitch; stitches you slipped before; more commonly abbreviated as sl st
ssk
slip, slip, knit; slip two stitches knitwise and then knit these two stitches together through back loops; a single left-leaning decrease
ssp
slip, slip, purl; slip two stitches knitwise, then return these two stitches to left needle and purl them together through back loops; a single right-leaning purl decrease
SSPP2 or s2pp
slip, slip, purl, pass two; slip two stitches knitwise, slip these two stitches to back to the left needle purlwise and then slip them as if to p2tog through back loops, purl one stitch and pass two slipped stitches over the purl stitch; a centered double purl decrease
sssk
slip, slip, slip, knit; slip three stitches knitwise and then knit these three stitches together through back loops; a left-leaning double decrease
sssp
slip, slip, slip, purl; slip three stitches knitwise, return these three stitches to left needle purlwise and purl them together through back loops; a left-leaning double decrease
st
stitch
sts
stitches
st st or stst
stockinette stitch
T2B
twist two back; slip next stitch onto the cable needle and hold at back, knit one stitch from left needle and then purl one from cable needle
T2F
twist two front; slip next stitch onto the cable needle and hold at front, purl one stitch from the left needle and then knit one from the cable needle
T2L
twist two left; knit in the back loop of the second stitch on the left needle, then knit in the front of the first stitch and slip both stitches off the left needle
T2R
twist two right; knit in the back loop of the second stitch on the left needle, then purl in the front of the first stitch and slip both stitches off the left needle
tbf or tfl
through front loop
tbl or tbl.
through back loop
TL
traveling left; a twisted stitch that moves left in a line across other stitches; also known as twist two to the left (T2L) or left twist (LT)
TR
traveling right; a twisted stitch that moves right in a line across other stitches; also known as twist two to the right (T2R) or right twist (RT)
tog
together
w&t or w@t
wrap and turn
W3
wrap three stitches
won
wool over needle
wrn
wool round needle
WS
wrong side; or backside of a knitting project
wyib
with yarn in back
wyif
with yarn in front
y2rn
wrap yarn twice around needle
yb or ybk
yarn back; bring yarn into back of work; simply means to move the working yarn to the back of your project without catching it with the needle tips
yf or yfd or yfwd
yarn forward; bring yarn into front of work; simply means to move the working yarn to the front of your project without catching it with the needle tips
yfon
yarn forward and over needle
yfrn
yard forward and round needle
YIB
yarn in back
YIF
yarn in front
yo or yon
yarn over; a simple increase between knit stitches that creates an eyelet; a popular stitch in lace patterns
yo2
yarn over twice
yrn
yarn round needle; a type of increase between purl stitches and between a knit and a purl stitch that creates an eyelet; an increase similar to a yarn over for the purlside
Conclusions
Knitting abbreviations can be overwhelming to those new to the craft. There’s no need to worry though! You will learn basic abbreviations in no time, making it easy to read knitting patterns.
Overall, knitting abbreviations play an essential role in the knitting world. They make patterns shorter, clearer, and easier to read as well as provide a universal language for knitters. By familiarizing yourself with the commonly used knitting abbreviations, you will be able to read knitting patterns like a pro.
Happy knitting!
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