knitting abbreviations

Knitting Abbreviations and Their Meanings

by Cheryl Moreo

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.

Knitting Abbreviations
AbbreviationMeaning
 
*repeat the instructions following the * as directed
(), {}work the instructions within parentheses or brackets as directed
altalternate, alternating
begbegin, beginning
belbelow
betbetween
BObind (cast) off
C4Bcable 4 back
C4Fcable 4 front
chchain
CCcontrast color
circcircular
cncable needle
AbbreviationMeaning

CO

cast on
follfollow, following
inc, incrincrease, increasing
k2togknit 2 stitches together
k3togknit 3 stitches together
k, Kknit
kfbknit into the front and back of the stitch
krbknit in the row below
kwiseknitwise-insert the needle from the front to the back as if to knit
LHleft hand
M1make 1 stitch

m1L

make 1 left-leaning stitch

m1R

make 1 right-leaning stitch
MCmain color
p2togpurl 2 stitches together
p3togpurl 3 stitches together
p, Ppurl
pat, pattpattern
pkuppick up stitches
pmplace marker
pssopass slipped stitch over
pwsiepurlwise-insert the needle from the back to the front as if to purl
remremain, remaining
reprepeat, repeating
revreverse



RH



right hand
rndround
RSright side
SKPslip, knit,  pass over
sl1kslip one knitwise
sl1pslip one purlwise
sl1-k2tog-pssoslip 1 stitch, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over
s12-k1-pss2oslip 2 as if to k2tog, k1, pass 2 slipped stitches over
slslip
smslip marker
sskslip, slip, knit 2 stitches together
st(s)stitches
st ststockinette (stocking) stitch
tblthrough back loop
togtogether
turnturn the work to the reverse side
WSwrong side
wyib, wybwith yarn in back
wyif, wyfwith yarn in front
yoyarn over

Want a PDF of the Knitting Abbreviations and Definitions?

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Other Knitting Related Articles

How I Learned to Knit 

Learn About Yarn Weights

Crochet Abbreviations and Definitions

Keep Track of Your Rows

Knitting Patterns

14 thoughts on “Knitting Abbreviations and Their Meanings”

  1. Southern Prairie Girl

    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.

    1. 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.Fantasy Naturale Market Bag

      1. Southern Prairie Girl

        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.

          1. Southern Prairie Girl

            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!

  2. Southern Prairie Girl

    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.

    1. 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.Fantasy Naturale Market Bag

      1. Southern Prairie Girl

        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.

          1. Southern Prairie Girl

            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!

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