Following is a list of knitting abbreviations used by yarn industry designers and publishers. The most commonly used abbreviations are highlighted. In addition, designers and publishers may use special abbreviations in a pattern, which you might not find on this list. Generally, a definition of special abbreviations is given at the beginning of a book or pattern.
| Abbreviation | Description | Abbreviation | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] |
work instructions within brackets as many times as directed |
pat(s) or patt |
pattern(s) |
|
| ( ) |
work instructions within parentheses in the place directed |
pm |
place marker |
|
| * * |
repeat instructions following the asterisks as directed |
pop |
popcorn |
|
| * |
repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
p2tog |
purl 2 stitches together |
|
| “ |
inch(es) |
prev |
previous |
|
| alt |
alternate |
psso |
pass slipped stitch over |
|
| approx |
approximately |
pwise |
purlwise |
|
| beg |
begin/beginning |
rem |
remain/remaining |
|
| bet |
between |
rep |
repeat(s) |
|
| BO |
bind off |
rev St st |
reverse stockinette stitch |
|
| CA |
color A |
RH |
right hand |
|
| CB |
color B |
rnd(s) |
round(s) |
|
| CC |
contrasting color |
RS |
right side |
|
| cm |
centimeter(s) |
sk |
skip |
|
| cn |
cable needle |
skp |
slip, knit, pass stitch over—one stitch decreased |
|
| CO |
cast on |
sk2p |
slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; |
|
| cont |
continue |
sl |
slip |
|
| dec |
decrease/ |
sl1k |
slip 1 knitwise |
|
| dpn |
double pointed needle(s) |
sl1p |
slip 1 purlwise |
|
| fl |
front loop(s) |
sl st |
slip stitch(es) |
|
| foll |
follow/follows/ |
ss |
slip stitch (Canadian) |
|
| g |
gram |
ssk |
slip, slip, knit these 2 stiches together—a decrease |
|
| inc |
increase/increases/ |
sssk |
slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together |
|
| k or K |
knit |
st(s) |
stitch(es) |
|
| k2tog |
knit 2 stitches together |
St st |
stockinette stitch/stocking stitch |
|
| kwise |
knitwise |
tbl |
through back loop |
|
| LH |
left hand |
tog |
together |
|
| lp(s) |
loop(s) |
WS |
wrong side |
|
| m |
meter(s) |
wyib |
with yarn in back |
|
| M1 |
make one stitch |
wyif |
with yarn in front |
|
| M1 p-st |
make one purl stitch |
yd(s) |
yard(s) |
|
| MC |
main color |
yfwd |
yarn forward |
|
| mm |
millimeter(s) |
yo |
yarn over |
|
| oz |
ounce(s) |
yrn |
yarn around needle |
|
| p or P |
purl |
yon |
yarn over needle |
Source: Craft Yarn Council of America’s www.YarnStandards.com