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Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™
Become a Knitting Superstar™

Abbreviations

In knitting patterns, stitches and stitch-combinations are abbreviated so that the pattern is easier to read.

Learning and memorizing the standard knitting abbreviations makes reading patterns and knitting the projects of your dreams easy.

Knitting Topics » Abbreviations
In knitting patterns, stitches and stitch-combinations are abbreviated so that the pattern is easier to read.

Learning and memorizing the standard knitting abbreviations makes reading patterns and knitting the projects of your dreams easy.

Video Knitting Course: Video Knitting Dictionary

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Baffled by an abbreviation in your pattern? Demos of 30+ abbreviations help you knit correctly.

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Featured Videos

K2TOG – Knit 2 Together

K2TOG – Knit 2 Together
K2TOG – Knit 2 Together


KFB – Knit Front and Back

KFB – Knit Front and Back
KFB – Knit Front and Back


M1/M1L – Make One/Make One Left

M1/M1L – Make One/Make One Left
M1/M1L – Make One/Make One Left


Definition: Circs/Circulars

Definition: DPN(s)

Definition: LYS

Stix Yarn Store entrance main street Bozeman


Knitting Pattern Abbreviations

( ) – Refers to whatever is in the parentheses as a discrete group. As in “(K1, P2) 5 times.”
1×1 Rib – K1, P1 Rib
2×2 Rib – K2, P2 Rib
Across – To the end of the row
Around – To the end of the round
BLCO – Backwards Loop Cast-On
BLO – Back loop only
BO – Bind Off
BO in Pattern – Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as you bind off.
BOR – Beginning of Round
Br-ssk – Brioche slip, slip, knit: Slip 1 st knitwise, slip next st knitwise. One of these sts will have a wrap. Slip the stitch along with its wrap. Knit slipped sts together.
Break Yarn – Cut yarn. Always leave a six-inch tail for weaving in.
Brk – Brioche knit: Knit the stitch together with its wrap
Brp – Brioche purl: Purl the stitch together with its wrap
CC – Contrasting Color
CDD – Centered Double Decrease
CH – Chain stitch
Cn – Cable needle
CO – Cast On
DC – Dark color
DC – Double crochet
Garter St – Garter Stitch
HDC – Half-double crochet
In Pattern – According to the same stitch-pattern you’ve been doing
Instep – The half of the sock that goes around the front of the ankle
JMCO – Judy's Magic Cast-On
JSSBO – Jeny's Surprisingly-Stretchy Bind-Off
K – Knit
K2tog – Knit 2 Together
K2togtbl – Knit 2 Together Through the Back Loops
KFB – Knit Front and Back
Kitchener St – Kitchener Stitch
LC – Light color
LH – Left-hand
LTCO – Long-Tail Cast-On
LYS – Local Yarn Store
M1 – Make One
M1L – Make One Left
M1R – Make One Right
Mattress St – Mattress Stitch
MC – Main Color
P – Purl
P/u and Knit – Pick up and knit
P2tog – Purl 2 Together
PFB – Purl Front and Back
PM – Place Marker
PSO – Pass Stitch Over
PSSO – Pass Slipped Stitch Over
Rem – Remain/Remaining
Rep – Repeat
Rep From * – Go back to the * and repeat. As in “K5, *(P2, K5), rep from * to end.”
Reverse St St – Reverse Stockinette Stitch
RH – Right-hand
Rnd(s) – Round(s) – row(s) of round knitting
RS – Right Side
S2KP – Slip 2, Knit, Pass
SC – Single crochet
SKP – Slip, Knit, Pass
Sl 1 – Slip 1
Sl 1 wyif – Slip one with yarn in front
SL ST – Slip stitch
Sl1 wyib – Slip one with yarn in back
SM – Slip marker
SSK – Slip, Slip, Knit
SSP – Slip, Slip, Purl
St – Stitch
St St – Stockinette Stitch
Sts – Stitches
TBL – Through the back loop
To End – To the end of the row/round
TR – Triple crochet
Turn – Turn your work around so that the other side is facing you
W&T – Wrap and turn
Work Even – Continue in the same stitch pattern without increasing or decreasing.
Work in Brioche stitch – On DC rounds, when you come to a DC stitch with a wrap, br-p (see above). When you come to a LC stitch without a wrap, yfsl1yo (see below). On LC rounds, when you come to a LC stitch with a wrap, br-k (see above). When you come to a DC stitch without a wrap, yfsl1yo.
WPI – Wraps per inch
WS – Wrong Side
Wyib – With yarn in back
Wyif – With yarn in front
YF – Yarn forward
Yfsl1yo – Yarn forward, slip 1, yarnover: Move yarn to front, slip next st, bring yarn over needle to back, making a yarnover. The yarnover will pass over the slipped stitch and sit next to it like a cape.
YO – Yarnover


Free and Premium Videos

1×1 Rib/2×2 Rib – Ribbing

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BLCO – Backwards Loop Cast-On

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BO – Bind Off

Free Video
BO – Bind Off
BO – Bind Off


BO in Pattern – Bind Off In Pattern

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Garter St – Garter Stitch

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P/u (Pu) and Knit – Pick up and Knit

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How to pick up and knit stitches in knitting:

Socks patterns and mitten patterns both call for you to pick up stitches.

Top-down socks have a heel flap which usually has a slipped-stitch edge that you need to pick up into, whereas mitten thumbs have a raw edge.


K – Knit Stitch – American Style

Free Video
K – Knit Stitch – American Style
K – Knit Stitch – American Style


K – Knit Stitch – Continental Style

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K – Knit Stitch – Continental Style
K – Knit Stitch – Continental Style


K2TOG – Knit 2 Together

Free Video
K2TOG – Knit 2 Together
K2TOG – Knit 2 Together


K2TOGTBL – Knit 2 Together Through the Back Loops

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KFB – Knit Front and Back

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KFB – Knit Front and Back
KFB – Knit Front and Back


Long-Tail Cast-On

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M1/M1L – Make One/Make One Left

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M1/M1L – Make One/Make One Left
M1/M1L – Make One/Make One Left


M1R – Make One Right

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P – Purl Stitch – American Style

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P – Purl Stitch – American Style
P – Purl Stitch – American Style


P – Purl Stitch – Continental Style

Free Video
P – Purl Stitch – Continental Style
P – Purl Stitch – Continental Style


P2TOG – Purl 2 Together

Free Video for Subscribers


PFB – Purl Front and Back

Free Video for Subscribers


Recognizing a Knit and Purl Stitch

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Recognizing a Knit and Purl Stitch
Recognizing a Knit and Purl Stitch


S2KP (Slip 2, Knit, Pass)

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SKP – Slip, Knit, Pass

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Sl – Slip 1 – Slip a Stitch

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SSK – Slip, Slip, Knit

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St St – Stockinette Stitch

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TBL – Through the Back Loop

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W&T – Wrap and Turn (Short Rows) Plus Picking Up Wraps on the Knit Side

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A “short row” is simply what happens when you work across a row but don’t get to the end. The pattern instructs you to go almost to the end (maybe one or two stitches before), and then turn around and go back. This creates a domed shape that is good for heels and other curvy parts of the body.


Weave in Tails/Ends on Stockinette Stitch

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Work Even

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YO – Yarnover

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YO – Yarnover
YO – Yarnover


Mattress Stitch

Free Video for Subscribers


Kitchener Stitch

Free Video for Subscribers

How to seam up your knitting with Kitchener Stitch.



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