Understanding Chart Symbols
This article lists the standard symbols used in knitting charts, shown in both dot and dash formats, with clear explanations in English.
Basic symbols
| Dot | Dash | Abb | Explanation |
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Co | Cast on |
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Bo | Bind off |
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K | Knit |
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P | Purl |
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K tbl | Knit through the back loop |
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P tbl | Purl through the back loop |
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Sl wyib | Slip stitch with yarn in back |
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Sl wyif | Slip stitch with yarn in front |
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1 |
1 |
K1b | Knit 1 below |
Available format: Image
Increase symbols
| Dot | Dash | Abb | Explanation |
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Yo | Yarn over |
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Yo x2 | Yarn over twice |
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Yo x3 | Yarn over three times |
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Kyok | (Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1) in the same stitch |
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LLI | Left lifted increase |
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RLI | Right lifted increase |
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LLIp | Left lifted increase purlwise |
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RLIp | Right lifted increase purlwise |
Available format: Image
Decrease symbols
| Dot | Dash | Abb | Explanation |
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| 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 together knitwise, knit one, pass over | ||
5 |
5 |
K5tog | Knit five stitches together |
7 |
7 |
K7tog | Knit seven stitches together |
Available format: Image
Note: Different patterns may use different symbols, so it's important to read the key or legend that accompanies each pattern to understand what each symbol means.
