Below is a comprehensive list of Abbreviations you may find in Knitting and some Crochet Patterns. If there are any you notice aren’t listed, let me know.
| “ | inch(es) |
| ( ) | work instructions between parentheses, in the place directed |
| [ ] | work instructions between brackets, as many times as directed |
| * | repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
| * * | repeat instructions between asterisks, as directed |
| alt | alternate |
| SKP (or skpo) | “Slip, Knit, Pass.” Slip a stitch, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit one. The same as: sl1, k1, psso |
| slip knot | an adjustable loop, used to begin many cast-on methods |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | begin(ning) |
| bet (or btw) | between |
| BO | bind off |
| cn | cable needle: short knitting needle, used as an aid in the twisting of a cable. |
| CO | cast on |
| cdd | centred double decrease. sl2 tog, K1, pass the slipped stitches over (together) |
| cm | centimetre(s) |
| ch | chain (using crochet hook). Start with a slip knot. |
| CA | colour A |
| CB | colour B |
| cont | continue |
| CC | contrasting colour |
| C2L | cross 2 stitches to the left (to work a cable). Slip 2 stitches p-wise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in front of work as you knit the next couple of stitches; then knit stitches off of cable needle. |
| C2R | cross 2 stitches to the right (to work a cable). slip 2 stitches p-wise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in back of work as you knit the next couple of stitches; then knit stitches off of cable needle. |
| dec(s) | decrease(s) |
| dc | double crochet |
| DK | Double Knitting weight yarn. Slightly finer than worsted weight. |
| dpn (or dp) | double pointed needle(s). A short needle with points at both ends, used in sets or 4 or 5, for knitting in the round. |
| EON | end of needle |
| EOR | end of row |
| foll | follow; follows; following |
| FC | front cross (in working a cable) |
| fl | front loop(s) |
| g st | garter stitch |
| g (or gr) | gram |
| grp(s) | group(s) |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| hk | hook |
| in(s) | inch(es) |
| incl | including |
| inc(s) | increase(s) |
| k | knit |
| k1 f&b (or kfb) | knit 1 stitch in the front, then in the back. This is also called a Bar Increase |
| k2tog | knit 2 stitches together |
| k2tog tbl | knit 2 stitches together, through the back loops |
| kll | knit left loop. An increase |
| krl | knit right loop. An increase |
| k-b | knit stitch in row below. (Infrequently used for knit through the back loop; see K tbl) |
| k tbl (or K1 tbl, K1b) | Knit stitch through the back loop |
| k-wise | knit-wise. Insert right needle into the stitch as if to knit it |
| LC | left cross (to work a cable). As in: cross 2 L |
| LH | left hand |
| LT | left twist (where two stitches cross each other, as in the smallest cable stitch possible) |
| lp(s) | loop(s) |
| mc | main colour |
| M1R (or M1B) | make 1 (back) (right). An increase. From the back, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into front of loop |
| M1L (or M1, M1F) | make 1 (front)(left). An increase. From the front, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into back of loop |
| M1A | make 1 away. An Increase |
| M1T | make 1 towards. An Increase |
| M1 | Make 1. This means to increase a stitch. If the method isn’t specified, use whichever increase you like, for instance M1F. |
| MB | make bobble |
| m | metre(s) |
| mm | millimetres(s) |
| no | number |
| oz | ounce(s) |
| pnso | pass next stitch over |
| psso | pass the slipped stitch over (as in slip 1, knit 1, psso) |
| pat(s) (or patt(s)) | pattern(s) |
| pu | pick up stitches |
| pm | place marker |
| pop | popcorn stitch |
| prev | previous |
| p | purl |
| p2tog | purl 2 together |
| p2tog tbl | purl 2 together through the back loops |
| p-b | purl stitch in the row below. (infrequently used to mean purl stitch in the back loop; see p tbl) |
| p1 f&b (or pfb) | purl the front of a stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch |
| p tbl (or P1 tbl, P1b) | purl through the back loop |
| p-wise | purl wise: Insert right needle down into the front loop, or up into the back loop for tbl |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat(s) |
| rev St st | Reverse stockinette/stocking stitch. The “purl” side of plain, stockinette stitch. Purled on RS, knitted on WS |
| rib | ribbing: vertical columns of knit and purl stitches, side by side, as in K1, P1 ribbing |
| RC | right cross (to work a cable), as in: cross 2 R |
| RH | right hand |
| RS | right side, for instance the outside of a sweater. Stated to indicate which side is facing you when carrying out instructions |
| RT | right twist (where two stitches cross each other, as in the smallest cable stitch possible) |
| rnd(s) | round(s). In circular knitting, a “row” is called a “round.” |
| sc | single crochet |
| sk | skip |
| ssk (improved) | sl 1, sl 1 p-wise, knit slipped sts tog |
| sl1k (or sl 1 k-wise) | slip a stitch knit-wise |
| sl1p (or sl 1 p-wise) | slip a stitch purl-wise |
| sl aka s | slip a stitch. If they don’t specify, slip the stitch purl-wise….Unless you are decreasing: then, slip it knit-wise on the knit rows, and purl-wise on the purl rows. (According to Vogue Knitting) |
| ss | slip stitch (Canadian) |
| sl st | slip stitch(es) |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit slipped stitches tog. A decrease |
| ssp | slip, slip, purl. A decrease, usually done on the purl-side |
| sssk | slip, slip, slip, knit 3 slipped stitches together. A double decrease |
| sk2p | slip1, knit 2 tog, pass slipped stitch over. (a double decrease) |
| sl1, k1, psso | slip1, knit1, pass the slipped stitch over. The same as SKP |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| st (s) | stitch(es) |
| St st | Stockinette/Stocking stitch |
| tbl | through the back loop |
| tog | together |
| wyib | with yarn in back |
| wyif | with yarn in front |
| won | wool over needle |
| wrn | wool round needle |
| WS | wrong side, for instance the inside of the sweater. Stated to indicate which side is facing you when carrying out instructions |
| yd(s) | yard(s) |
| yrn | yarn ’round needle. Same as yo |
| yfwd (or yf) | yarn forward |
| yfrn | yarn forward and ’round needle. Same as yo |
| yfon | yarn forward and over needle. Same as yo |
| yon | yarn over needle. Same as yo |
| yo2 (or yo twice) | yarn over twice |
| yo | yarn over: wrap the yarn around right needle |
| yb (or ybk) | yarn to the back |
