Ever notice that a knitting pattern seems like it’s written in a different language? Well, it kind of is—knitting language! Designers use abbreviations in their patterns to make them shorter and easier to read… once you learn the language.
At B.Hooked, you’ll encounter abbreviations in all our knitting patterns. That’s why this master list is helpful. Below is a list of the most common knitting abbreviations you’ll find in our free patterns. You can memorize it or bookmark it—whichever you prefer—to get familiar with this concise knitting language. Remember, these definitions follow the knitting terminology used here at B.Hooked.
Abbreviation | Meaning |
---|---|
Approx | Approximately |
Beg | Beginning |
Bet | Between |
BO | Bind Off |
cn | Cable Needle |
CO | Cast On |
Cont | Continue |
Dec | Decrease |
dpn | Double Pointed Needle |
inc | Increase |
K | Knit |
k1B | Knit Stitch in Row Below |
kfb | Knit Front Back |
ksp | Knit, Slip from right to left, pass over |
k2tog | Knit Two Together |
kwise | Knitwise |
lp(s) | Loop(s) |
m | Marker |
M1 | Make One Stitch Knitwise |
M1R | Make One Right |
M1L | Make One Left |
M1p | Make One Purlwise |
M1rp | Make One Right Purl |
M1lp | Make One Left Purl |
MC | Main Color |
P | Purl |
pat(s) | Pattern(s) |
pfb | Purl Front Back |
p2tog | Purl Two Together |
pm | Place Marker |
prev | Previous |
psso | Pass Slipped Stitch Over |
p2sso | Pass 2 Slipped Stitches Over |
pwise | Purlwise |
rem | Remaining |
rep | Repeat |
RS | Right Side |
sk | Skip |
SKP | Slip 1 Knitwise, Knit 1, Pass Slip Stitch Over |
Sk2P | Slip 1 Knitwise, K2tog, Pass Slip Stitch Over |
sl | Slip |
sl1k | Slip One Knitwise |
sl1p | Slip One Purlwise |
sm | Slip Marker |
ssk | Slip Two Stitches Knitwise, Knit Together Through the Back Loops |
ssp | Slip Two Stitches Knitwise, Return to Left Needle and Purl Together Through Back Loops |
sssk | Slip Three Stitches Knitwise, Knit Together Through Back Loops |
sssp | Slip Three Stitches Knitwise, Return to Left Needle and Purl Together Through Back Loops |
S2KP2 | Slip Two Stitches Knitwise, Knit 1, Pass Two Slip Stitches Over Knit |
SSPP2 | Slip Two Stitches Knitwise, Return to Left Needle and Slip as if to p2tog Through Back Loops |
St(s) | Stitch(es) |
tbl | Through the Back Loop |
tfl | Through the Front Loop |
tog | Together |
WS | Wrong Side |
w&t | Wrap and Turn |
wyib | With Yarn In Back |
wyif | With Yarn In Front |
yb | Yarn Back |
yfwd | Yarn Forward |
YO | Yarn Over |