🧶 Knitting Abbreviations Master List: A Complete Reference for Beginners & Pros
Ever been puzzled by abbreviations in a knitting pattern? Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, having a clear list of common knitting abbreviations is essential. This guide collects all the standard terms used by designers and publishers across the yarn industry — explained in plain English and U.S. terminology.
📌 Tip: Save this page to your bookmarks for quick reference anytime you’re following a pattern!
🧵 Common Knitting Abbreviations & Their Meanings
| Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| BO | bind off |
| byo | backward yarn over |
| CC | contrasting color |
| cn | cable needle |
| CO | cast on |
| cont | continue |
| dec | decrease |
| dpn | double-pointed needles |
| foll | follow |
| inc | increase |
| k | knit |
| k1B | knit stitch in row below |
| kfb | knit 1 into front and back of a stitch |
| ksp | knit 1, slip back, pass over |
| k2tog | knit 2 together |
| kwise | knitwise |
| LH | left hand |
| lp | loop |
| m | marker |
| M1 / M1K | make one knitwise |
| M1R | make one right (leaning) |
| M1L | make one left (leaning) |
| M1p | make one purlwise |
| M1rp | make one right purlwise |
| M1lp | make one left purlwise |
| MC | main color |
| p | purl |
| pat / patt | pattern |
| pfb | purl into front and back |
| pm | place marker |
| p2tog | purl 2 together |
| prev | previous |
| psso | pass slipped stitch over |
| p2sso | pass 2 slipped stitches over |
| pwise | purlwise |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| rev St st | reverse stockinette stitch |
| RH | right hand |
| rnd | round |
🧶 Advanced and Shaping Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| RS | right side |
| SKP | slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped over |
| SK2P | slip 1, knit 2 together, pass over |
| sl | slip |
| sl1k | slip 1 knitwise |
| sl1p | slip 1 purlwise |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sm | slip marker |
| ssk | slip-slip-knit |
| ssp | slip-slip-purl |
| sssk | slip 3, knit together |
| sssp | slip 3, purl together |
| S2KP2 | slip 2, knit 1, pass 2 over |
| SSPP2 | slip 2, purl 1, pass 2 over |
| st | stitch |
| St st | stockinette stitch |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tfl | through 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 / yf | yarn forward |
| yo | yarn over |
| yon | yarn over needle |
| yrn | yarn round needle |
🌟 Why This List Matters
Knitting patterns often assume you know all the lingo — and using abbreviations keeps instructions short and consistent. But for beginners (and even intermediate crafters), decoding these can slow down progress or lead to mistakes.
That’s why having a trusted reference page like this one can save time, reduce frustration, and even help you learn new techniques.
📎 Related Resources
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