Knitting Abbreviations – My Guide To 130+ Knitting Terms Demystified!

I’ll explain 130+ knitting terms in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate knitter, I’m sure you’ll find this information useful! Let’s start.

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on May 28, 2023.

Knitting Abbreviations Table

Abbreviation	What It Means
alt	Alternate/alternating.
approx.	Approximately.
beg	Beginning.
bet	Between.
BO	Bind off.
byo	Backward yarn over.
C4B	Slip the next two stitches onto the cable needle and leave them at the back. Knit two, then knit two from the cable needle.
C4F	Slip the next two stitches onto the cable needle and leave them at the front. Knit two, then knit two from the cable needle.
CA	Color a.
CB	Color b.
CC	Contrasting color.
cdd	Centered double decrease.
ch	Chain.
cl	Cross left.
cm	Centimeter.
cn	Cable needed.
CO	Cast on/cast off.
Cont	Continue.
Cross 2 L	Cross two stitches to the left.
Cross 2 R	Cross two stitches to the right.
Dec	Decrease.
DPNs	Double-pointed knitting needles.
DK	Double knitting weight yarn.
DTR	Double treble.
EON	End of the needle.
EOR	End of the row.
FC	Front cross.
FL	Front loop.
Foll	Follow.
g	Grams.
grp	Group.
g st	Garter stitch.
Inc	Increase.
K	Knit stitch.
k1B	Knit into the stitch one row below.
K1tbl	Knit the next stitch through the back of the loop.
K2tog	Knit two together.
K2togtbl	Knit two together through back loops.
kfb	Knit into the front and back of a stitch.
kll	Knit through the left loop.
krl	Knit through the right loop.
ksp	Knit one, then slip back to the left hand needle.
kwise	Knit-wise.
LC	Left cross.
LH	Left hand.
LP	Loop.
LT	Left twist.
m	Meter/marker.
M1	Make one stitch.
M1A	Make one stitch away.
M1K	Make one stitch knitwise.
M1l	Make one left stitch.
M1lp	Make one left stitch purlwise.
M1P	Make one stitch purlwise.
M1R	Make one right stitch.
M1rp	Make one right stitch purlwise.
M1T	Make one stitch towards.
Maintain	Maintain the center block of the pattern.
MB	Make a bobble.
MC	Main color.
mm	Millimeter.
No	Number.
Oz	Ounce.
p	Purl stitch.
P1 tbl	Purl one through the back loop.
p2sso	Pass two slipped stitches over.
p2tog	Purl two stitches together.
p2togtbl	Purl two stitches together through back loops.
patt	Pattern.
pfb	Purl one into the front and back of stitch.
pm	Place marker.
pnso	Pass the next stitch over.
prev	Previous
psso	Pass slipped stitches over.
pwise	Purlwise.
Rem	Remaining.
Rep	Repeat.
Rev st st	Reverse stockinette stitch.
RH	Right hand.
Rnd	Round/s
RS	Right side.
S2KP2	Slip two stitches as if to knit them together, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over knit stitch
Skip	Slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over.
SKP	Slip one knitwise, knit one, pass slip stitch over knit stitch.
sl	Slip.
sl st	Slip stitch.
Sl1	Slip next stitch knitwise.
Sl1k	Slip one knitwise.
Sl1p	Slip one purlwise.
sm	Slip marker.
ssk	Slip next two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them through back loops together.
ssp	Slip, slip, purl.
SSPP2	Slip two stitches knitwise then slip them as if to purl two together through back loops. Purl one, pass two slipped stitches over purl stitch.
sssk	Slip three stitches knitwise, knit these three stitches together through back loops.
sssp	Slip three stitches knitwise, return these three stitches to left needle and purl these three stitches together through back loops.
st	Stitch.
st st	Stockinette stitch.
tbl	Through the back loop.
tfl	Through the front loop.
tog	Together.
w&t	Wrap and turn.
Work Even	Continue with no increases or decreases.
WS	Wrong side.
wyib	With the yarn in the back.
wyif	With the yarn in the front.
yb	Yarn back.
yd	Yard.
yf	Yarn front.
yfwd	Yarn forward.
yo	Yarn over.
yo2	Yarn over twice.
yon	Yarn over needle.
yrn	Yarn round needle.
*	Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as instructed.
*	Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed/repeat at specified locations.
{}/[]	Work the instructions within the brackets as many times as instructed.
( )	Work instructions as many times as instructed/work a stitch group in the same space.

FAQS About Knitting Abbreviations

What Are Knitting Abbreviations?

Knitting abbreviations are codes used in knitting patterns to save space and make the pattern easier to read. They stand for common knitting terms.

How Do You Read Knitting Abbreviations?

Reading knitting abbreviations is simple when you have a chart to guide you! For example, the abbreviation for ‘knit’ is ‘k’, so if you see ‘k2tog’ in a pattern, you knit two stitches together. Similarly, ‘purl’ is written as ‘p’, so if you see ‘p4’ in a pattern, you purl four stitches.

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Conclusion

The good news is that most knitting patterns have a glossary that tells you what the abbreviations are. Knitting abbreviations are confusing, but after some practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Now you know what they mean, start using them to try your next dream knitting project!

Read Next: Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a pair of luxury needles with my guide, or continue your learning of the basics with how to make a slip knot.