Directory of Knitting Abbreviations Meanings

Are you stuck at home because of the current global corona virus pandemic? Want to learn how to knit for beginners but confused by all the abbreviations and knitting jargon? Do you want to learn something new without leaving home? Are you learning a new skill or rekindling an old hobby? Are you following a pattern and don’t know the knitting abbreviations meanings?

These questions will all be answered in this directory of Knitting Abbreviation Meanings. If you need to order yarn or knitting needles, Knitpick has the full range, and you can have it delivered to your home.

Free knitting instructions on how to knit a beanie will be shared with you at the end of this post. It fits into the range of free knitting patterns babies. If you are a beginner knitter, then look out for my post “Learn How to Knit for Beginners”.

Why Abbreviations?

To follow a knitting pattern, you need an understanding of basic abbreviations that are commonly used in knitting patterns and also a description of the meaning of the abbreviation. Why do we have abbreviations? By using abbreviations, the instructions are more concise and easier to follow. It is also used to save space when knitting patterns are printed.

• Words are either shortened (eg. cont. = continue or continuing)
• or it can be a description of what needs to be done (eg. yon = yarn over needle)

Many patterns will also have their own descriptions and abbreviations, so if you do not find the specific abbreviation in this list, these would normally be included within the specific pattern that you are following. If you do get stuck, let me know!

Your Knitting Abbreviations Meanings

I hope that this comprehensive list of abbreviations that are used in knitting patterns, will help you work through your pattern. I have been knitting for more than fifty years, so if there are any of these that you do not understand, please let me know and I will help you out. There are different abbreviations in American patterns compared to British patterns, but these are the most commonly used knitting abbreviations.

alt = alternate – worked on every other stitch or row

approx = approximately

beg = begin or beginning

bet = between

BO = bind off

byo = backward yarn over

cc = contrasting colour

cn = cable needle

co = cast on

cont = continue or continuing

dec = decrease or decreasing – working two or more stitches together. A pattern will indicate whether two or more stitches are worked together

• to dec 1 st: insert the right hand needle knit wise or purl wise into the next 2 stitches on the left-hand needle, pull the yarn through thus making 1 stitch
• to dec 2 sts: insert the right hand needle knit wise or purl wise into the next 3 stitches and pull the yarn through, thus making 1 stitch.
• if more than 2 stitches need to be decreased, insert the right hand needle into the amount of stitches that need to be decreased and add one, pull the yarn through to create 1 stitch.

dpm = double pointed needles

foll = follow or following

gst = garter stitch – this is created by knitting every stitch on every row.

inc = increase or increasing – by working twice or more times into the same stitch

• to inc 1 st: knit or purl the next stitch, but do not drop the stitch off the left-hand needle. Knit or purl into the back of the stitch again, then drop the stitch thus creating another stitch.
• to inc 2 sts: knit or purl into the back or the front of the stitch three times before dropping the stitch on the left-hand needle, thus creating two extra stitches.
• to inc more than 2 sts: continue working into the back and the front of the stitch until the required number of stitches have been created.

k = knit

• k st: keep the yarn at the back and insert the point of the right hand needle into the front of the stitch on the left-hand needle from left to right. Bring the yarn from the back and over the top of the point of the right hand needle. Draw the loop through and the stitch and drop the stitch off the left-hand needle.

k1b = knit stitch in row below

kfb = knit into front of the stitch and again into the back, thus increasing one stitch

ksp = knit one stitch, slip this stitch from right needle to left needle, pass second stitch on left needle over first stitch and off left needle, return the stitch to right needle

k2tog = knit two stitches together

lp = loop

m1 = make one stitch knit wise – pick up the horizontal loop between two stitches by inserting the point of the left-hand needle into the loop and knit or purl into the back of it.

m1R = make one right (single knit increase leaning towards the right)

m1L = make one left, (increasing one single knit leaning towards the left)

m1p = make one purl wise

m1rp = make one right purl wise

m1lp = make one left purl wise

mc = main colour

p = purl

• p st: with the yarn at the front, insert the point of the right hand needle into the stitch on the left-hand needle from right to left. Bring the yarn over and under the right hand needle and pull the loop through the stitch. Drop the stitch from the left-hand needle.

pat or patt = pattern

pfb = purl into front and back of stitch (thereby increasing one stitch)

p2tog = purl two stitches together

prev = previous

psso = pass slipped stitch over – insert the point of the left-hand needle into the front of the slipped stitch on the right hand needle. (The slipped stitch is the second stitch on the right hand needle). Lift the slipped stitch and pull it over the first stitch on the right hand needle.

p2sso = pass two slipped stitches over

rem = remain or remaining –

rep = repeat or repeating

skpo = slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over

sk2p = slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over the knit 2 together

sl = slip

• sl1k – slip one stitch knit wise
• sl1p – slip one stitch purl wise
• sl 2 sts or more – slip 2 stitches or more

sl st = slip stitch

sm = slip marker

ssk = slip 2 stitches knit wise, knit these two stitches together through the back loops

ssp = slip two stitches knit wise, return these two stitches to the left-hand needle, and purl then together through the back loops

sssk = slip three stitches knit wise, knit these three stitches together through the back loops

sssp = slip three stitches knit wise, return these three stitches to the left side needle, purl these three stitches together through the back loops

s2kp2 = slip two stitches as if to knit together, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over the knit stitch

sspp2 = slip two stitches knit wise, return these two stitches to the left needle, and then slip them as to purl two together through back loops, purl one, pass two slipped stitches over purled stitch

st = stitch

sts = stitches

stst = stocking stitch

tbl = through back of loop stitches

tfl = through front loop stitches

tog = together

ws = wrong side

w&t = wrap and turn

wyib = with yarn in back

wyif = with yarn in front

yb = yarn back

yf or yfwd = yarn forward

yo = yarn over

yon = yarn over needle

yrn = yarn round needle

More Knitting Abbreviations Meanings and Jargon

Knitting cables and patterns are often just a combination of stitches and repetition of certain sections in the pattern. You would often find that pattern would include these in the instructions as well:

• An asterisks * when it indicates repetition of either stitches or the pattern. So you repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
• Double asterisks * * means that you need to repeat instructions between asterisks, as many times as directed, or repeat at specified locations.
• bracket () which means you have to the work instructions within brackets, as many times as directed.
• [ ] work instructions between the parenthesis, as many times as directed.

Sometimes you will find () within [ ] to form very specific patterns, but it should be clear as you follow your specific pattern. If you do encounter any problems, feel free to contact me for an explanation.

I hope that this comprehensive list will cover what is required in your pattern. Additional information is also available on Wikipedia,

Beanie Pattern

These are free knitting instructions for a pattern that I developed myself when I knitted it for our granddaughter. The size is for approximately 6 months old. Please use the abbreviations as above in my knitting abbreviations meanings.

This was knitted in a 4 ply Egyptian cotton on a size 4mm knitting needle (American size 8 needle). If you want a bigger size, then add 10 sts and adjust the length by 4 rows.

Visit Knitpick, who have a very big selection of exciting yarns, to order your yarn or knitting needles.

Cast on 70 Sts

Row 1: (k2, p2, k4, p2) rep 7x

Row 2: (p2, k2, p4, k2) rep7x

Row 3: same as row 1

Row 4: same as row 2

Row 5: (k2, p2, sl2st onto cable needle at front of knitting, k2, k2st from cable needle) rep 7x

Row 6. Same as row 2

Repeat these 6 rows 4 times to form the rib.

Cont with 22 rows stst

Next row: K1 (k2tog) rp x 23, k1 = 46 st

Next row: Purl

Next row: K1 (k2tog) rp x 15, k2 = 32 st

Next row: Purl

Next row: (k2tog) x 16 = 16 st

Next row: Purl

Next row: (k2tog) x 8 = 8 st

Next Row: Purl

Final row: K3tog, k3tog, k2 = 3st

Pull 3 sts through together. Sew up the side seam

If you are doing it in a bigger size, you might need to adjust the sts when you are decreasing.

If you didn’t find what your needed, or If you have any questions about knitting abbreviations meanings, or any additions that you would like to make, please leave your comments below and I will get back to you.