reference
Knitting Abbreviations
The reference guide you need to recognize and memorize common knitting abbreviations.
Have you noticed that a knitting pattern sort of looks like it’s written in a different language? It is…sort of. Knitting language! Designers use abbreviations in their patterns to shorten the written length of a pattern, overall making it easier to read…once you learn the language.
Here at B.Hooked you’ll find abbreviations in all of our knitting patterns. That’s why this master list comes in handy. Below is a list of the most common knitting abbreviations you’ll find in the free patterns here at B.Hooked. Memorize it or bookmark it, whichever you choose, to familiarize yourself with this short form knitting language.
| 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 |