Knitting is a popular pastime that requires a certain level of skill and knowledge. One important aspect of knitting is understanding the abbreviations and symbols used in knitting patterns to unlock instructions.
Abbreviations and symbols are considered the language of knitting. They offer a standardized way to communicate instructions across languages and regions, making it easier for knitters to follow patterns from around the world. Abbreviations make written instructions clearer and more concise, while symbols are graphic representations that indicate specific stitches or actions to be performed.
This article lists common knitting abbreviations and symbols that you will encounter in patterns. For a more detailed and complete reference, please see the links below.
Common Knitting Abbreviations
General
| alt |
alternate |
| approx |
approximately |
| beg |
beginning |
| bet |
between |
| cont |
continue / continuing |
| rem |
remaining |
| rep |
repeat |
| rnd[s] |
round[s] |
| tbl |
through the back loop of the stitch |
| RS |
right side |
| WS |
wrong side |
| wyib |
with yarn in back |
| wyif |
with yarn in front |
| alt |
alternate |
| approx |
approximately |
| cc |
contrasting color |
| cn |
cable needle |
| dpn |
double pointed needles[s] |
| MC |
main color |
Measurements
| in |
inch |
| mm |
millimeter |
| cm |
centimeter |
| m |
meter |
| g |
gram |
| oz |
ounces |
| yd |
yard |
Directions
| bo |
bind off |
| co |
cast on |
| dec |
decrease / decreasing |
| inc |
increase / increasing |
| pm |
place marker |
| sm |
slip marker |
| st/sts |
stitch / stitches |
| psso |
pass slipped stitch over |
| w-t |
wrap and turn |
| yb |
yarn back |
| yf |
yarn forward |
Common knitting symbols
Basic symbols
| Symbol |
Abb |
Explanation |
|
Co |
Cast on |
|
Bo |
Bind off |
|
K |
Knit |
|
P |
Purl |
|
K tbl |
Knit through the back loop |
|
P tbl |
Purl through the back loop |
|
Sl wyib |
Slip stitch with yarn in back |
|
Sl wyif |
Slip stitch with yarn in front |
|
|
K1b |
Knit 1 below |
Increase symbols
| Symbol |
Abb |
Explanation |
|
Yo |
Yarn over |
|
Yo x2 |
Yarn over twice |
|
Yo x3 |
Yarn over three times |
|
Kyok |
(Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1) in the same stitch |
|
Pyop |
(Purl 1, yarn over, purl 1) in the same stitch |
|
LLI |
Left lifted increase |
|
RLI |
Right lifted increase |
|
LLIp |
Left lifted increase purlwise |
|
RLIp |
Right lifted increase purlwise |
Decrease symbols
| Symbol |
Abb |
Explanation |
|
Ssk |
Slip, slip, knit |
|
K2tog |
Knit two stitches together |
|
Ssp |
Slip, slip, purl |
|
P2tog |
Purl two stitches together |
|
Sssk |
Slip, slip, slip, knit |
|
Sk2p |
Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over
|
|
K3tog |
Knit three stitches together |
|
Sssp |
Slip, slip, slip, purl |
|
P3tog |
Purl three stitches together |
|
S2kp |
Slip two stitches knitwise, knit one, pass slipped stitches over
|
| |
K5tog |
Knit five stitches together |
| |
K7tog |
Knit seven stitches together |
Cable symbols
| Symbol |
Abb |
Explanation |
|
1/1LC |
1/1 Left cross |
|
1/1RC |
1/1 Right cross |
|
2/2LC |
2/2 Left cross |
|
2/2RC |
2/2 Right cross |
|
3/3LC |
3/3 Left cross |
|
3/3RC |
3/3 Right cross |
|
3/3LPC |
3/3 Left purl cross |
|
3/3RPC |
3/3 Right purl cross |
Note: Knitting patterns often use a variety of symbols to indicate different stitches and techniques, and it can be easy to get confused or make mistakes if you don’t take the time to read the key carefully. Before you begin your next knitting project, be sure to review the pattern key thoroughly to avoid potential errors or frustration.
