Last Updated on July 1, 2022 by Cheryl Moreo
Do you find knitting abbreviations confusing?
Beginners usually complain about the annoying frustration of muddling their way through figuring out the knitting abbreviations they encounter along the way. Deciphering all those seemingly complex patterns and interpreting all those ambiguous knitting abbreviations can turn out to be more difficult than the methods themselves.
No, knitting abbreviations are not a secret code that only the enlightened ones can crack, but they are shortened instructions for the particular pattern you will be knitting. And since most of the available patterns today are heavily littered with knitting abbreviations, it’s best to take time and understand the meaning behind the codes.
Did you know knitting abbreviations 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 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? Get access to my free library of resources by completing the “Get Access to My Free Library” below the chart.
| 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 |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
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 |
| 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 |
RH | right hand |
| 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 |
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Other Knitting Related Articles
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Learn About Yarn Weights
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Knitting Patterns
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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.
I have shared your blog on 2 FB pages I manage, our FB group (The Fiber Closet Club), and on my own timeline.
But I’m also en route to Lola Pink for patterns and notions!!
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!
Yes, I’ll share your site.
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!!