Do you find knitting abbreviations confusing?
Did you know they are used to conserve space and make patterns more manageable to read? If a designer were to write out the detailed instructions for every stitch, the pattern would become very long and hard to follow.
Once you memorize a few of the frequently used abbreviations, pattern reading will become second nature to you.
Below I have included a chart of knitting abbreviations. Want a list for your knitting bag? Just click the download link below the chart.
Knitting Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| * | repeat the instructions following the * as directed |
| (), {} | work the instructions within parentheses or brackets as directed |
| alt | alternate, alternating |
| beg | begin, beginning |
| bel | below |
| bet | between |
| BO | bind (cast) off |
| C4B | cable 4 back |
| C4F | cable 4 front |
| ch | chain |
| CC | contrast color |
| circ | circular |
| cn | cable needle |
| CO | cast on |
| foll | follow, following |
| inc, incr | increase, increasing |
| k2tog | knit 2 stitches together |
| k3tog | knit 3 stitches together |
| k, K | knit |
| kfb | knit into the front and back of the stitch |
| krb | knit in the row below |
| kwise | knitwise-insert the needle from the front to the back as if to knit |
| LH | left hand |
| M1 | make 1 stitch |
| m1L | make 1 left-leaning stitch |
| m1R | make 1 right-leaning stitch |
| MC | main color |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| p2tog | purl 2 stitches together |
| p3tog | purl 3 stitches together |
| p, P | purl |
| pat, patt | pattern |
| pkup | pick up stitches |
| pm | place marker |
| psso | pass slipped stitch over |
| pwsie | purlwise-insert the needle from the back to the front as if to purl |
| rem | remain, remaining |
| rep | repeat, repeating |
| rev | reverse |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| SKP | slip, knit, pass over |
| sl1k | slip one knitwise |
| sl1p | slip one purlwise |
| sl1-k2tog-psso | slip 1 stitch, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over |
| s12-k1-pss2o | slip 2 as if to k2tog, k1, pass 2 slipped stitches over |
| sl | slip |
| sm | slip marker |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit 2 stitches together |
| st(s) | stitches |
| st st | stockinette (stocking) stitch |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tog | together |
| turn | turn the work to the reverse side |
| WS | wrong side |
| wyib, wyb | with yarn in back |
| wyif, wyf | with yarn in front |
| yo | yarn over |
Are you tired of digging through all your reference books for the meaning of abbreviations? Then, complete the form below and get a copy of the above abbreviations for your knitting bag.
How I Learned to Knit
Read about how I learned to knit.
Knitting Books
I don’t know about you, but I love to read knitting books. Below is a link to some great knitting books.
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14 Comments
Leave Cheryl a Reply or a Comment
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Cheryl, I still have the book I bought from your store The Fiber Closet, years ago. It’s called “The Knitting Answer Book.” And it was always so helpful for me. And a side note, I still haven’t finished the market bag from all those years ago.
I am so glad you left a comment. The Knitting Answer Book is one of my favorites. I bet I know what market bag you mentioned. It is knit with Plymouth Yarn cotton Fantasy Naturale.
Yes this is the market bag you taught me to make. I made one in a pinkish and grey yarn but have yet to finish the one in blues and greens yarn I got from your store. Lol I may need you to help me remember how to knit it! I blogged about you as well. Please share my blog site with all your followers: http://www.southernprairiegirl.com as I shared your site yesterday on my blog post.
Yes, I’ll share your site.
I have shared your blog on 2 FB pages I manage, our FB group (The Fiber Closet Club), and on my own timeline.
Thank you and I am not on Facebook but I do appreciate it. I’m in the process of multi tasking right now but I have a random blog post I’m writing about Indians from down here so be on the lookout for it!
But I’m also en route to Lola Pink for patterns and notions!!
Cheryl, I still have the book I bought from your store The Fiber Closet, years ago. It’s called “The Knitting Answer Book.” And it was always so helpful for me. And a side note, I still haven’t finished the market bag from all those years ago.
I am so glad you left a comment. The Knitting Answer Book is one of my favorites. I bet I know what market bag you mentioned. It is knit with Plymouth Yarn cotton Fantasy Naturale.
Yes this is the market bag you taught me to make. I made one in a pinkish and grey yarn but have yet to finish the one in blues and greens yarn I got from your store. Lol I may need you to help me remember how to knit it! I blogged about you as well. Please share my blog site with all your followers: http://www.southernprairiegirl.com as I shared your site yesterday on my blog post.
Yes, I’ll share your site.
I have shared your blog on 2 FB pages I manage, our FB group (The Fiber Closet Club), and on my own timeline.
Thank you and I am not on Facebook but I do appreciate it. I’m in the process of multi tasking right now but I have a random blog post I’m writing about Indians from down here so be on the lookout for it!
But I’m also en route to Lola Pink for patterns and notions!!