Knitting Abbreviations

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.

AbbreviationMeaning
ApproxApproximately
BegBeginning
BetBetween
BOBind Off
cnCable Needle
COCast On
ContContinue
DecDecrease
dpnDouble Pointed Needle
incIncrease
KKnit
k1BKnit Stitch in Row Below
kfbKnit Front Back
kspKnit, Slip from right to left, pass over
k2togKnit Two Together
kwiseKnitwise
lp(s)Loop(s)
mMarker
M1Make One Stitch Knitwise
M1RMake One Right
M1LMake One Left
M1pMake One Purlwise
M1rpMake One Right Purl
M1lpMake One Left Purl
MCMain Color
PPurl
pat(s)Pattern(s)
pfbPurl Front Back
p2togPurl Two Together
pmPlace Marker
prevPrevious
pssoPass Slipped Stitch Over
p2ssoPass 2 Slipped Stitches Over
pwisePurlwise
remRemaining
repRepeat
RSRight Side
skSkip
SKPSlip 1 Knitwise, Knit 1, Pass Slip Stitch Over
Sk2PSlip 1 Knitwise, K2tog, Pass Slip Stitch Over
slSlip
sl1kSlip One Knitwise
sl1pSlip One Purlwise
smSlip Marker
sskSlip Two Stitches Knitwise, Knit Together Through the Back Loops
sspSlip Two Stitches Knitwise, Return to Left Needle and Purl Together Through Back Loops
ssskSlip Three Stitches Knitwise, Knit Together Through Back Loops
ssspSlip Three Stitches Knitwise, Return to Left Needle and Purl Together Through Back Loops
S2KP2Slip Two Stitches Knitwise, Knit 1, Pass Two Slip Stitches Over Knit
SSPP2Slip Two Stitches Knitwise, Return to Left Needle and Slip as if to p2tog Through Back Loops
St(s)Stitch(es)
tblThrough the Back Loop
tflThrough the Front Loop
togTogether
WSWrong Side
w&tWrap and Turn
wyibWith Yarn In Back
wyifWith Yarn In Front
ybYarn Back
yfwdYarn Forward
YOYarn Over
For additional crochet abbreviations, check out the Craft Yarn Council Master List of Abbreviations.