Knitting Pattern Abbreviations

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionfree knit patterns

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z


A:

approx = approximately

B:

beg = begin(ning)
bet = between
BO = bind off

C:

CA = color A
CB = color B
CC = contrasting color
ch = chain
cm = centimeter
cn = cable needle
CO = cast on
cont = continue

D:

dec = decrease
dpn = double pointed needles

E:

ea = each
eor = every other row
est = established

F:

FL = front loops
foll = follow

G:

g = gram
g st = garter stitch
grp(s) = groups

I:

in(s) = inch, inches
inc = increase

K:

k or K = knit
k1b = knit 1 in back loop of stitch
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
kwise = knitwise

L:

LH = left hand
lp(s) = loop(s)

M:

MC = main color
m = meters
M1 = make one stitch
M1 p-st = make one purl stitch
mm = millimeters
meas = measures

N:

ndl = needle

O:

O = yarn over
oz = ounce(s)

P:

pat(s) = pattern(s)
p or P = purl
p1b = purl 1 in back loop of stitch
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
pfb = purl into front and back of stitch
pm = placemaker
pop = popcorn
prev = previous
psso = pass slipped stitch over
pwise = purlwise

R:

rem = remain
rep = repeat(s)
rev St st = reverse stockinette stitch
rib = ribbing
RH = right hand
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side

S:

sk = skip(ped)
skp = slip, knit, pass stitch over - one stitch decreased
sk2p = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased
sl = slip
sl1k = slip 1 knitwise
sl1p = slip 1 purlwise
sl st = slip stitch(es)
sp = space
ss = slip stitch (Canadian)
ssk = slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together - a decrease
sssk = slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together
st(s) = stitch(es)
St st = stockinette stitch / stocking stitch

T:

tbl = through back loop
tog = together

W:

WS = wrong side
wyib = with yarn in back
wyif = with yarn in front

X:

Y:

yd = yard(s)
yfwd = yard forward
yb = yarn to the back
yf = yarn to the front
yo = yarn over
yo2 = yarn over twice
yrn = yarn around needle
yon = yarn over needle