Lace is a type of knitting that mainly uses increases and decreases. In most patterns, the increases are worked as yarn overs, which create small holes on the surface of the knitted fabric.
Below is a list of the most common actions and stitches used in lace patterns, including the abbreviations used in written instructions, explanations of the actions they represent, and the symbols used in lace charts.
What You'll Learn
| Basic Actions and Stitches |
| Yarn Overs |
| Decrease Stitches |
Basic Actions and Stitches
| ABB | Explanation | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Co | Cast on |  |
| Bo | Bind off |  |
| M | Place marker |  |
| Sm | Slip marker |  |
| Move marker left |  |
|
| Move marker right |  |
|
| Short row right |  |
|
| Short row left |  |
|
| K | Knit |  |
| P | Purl |  |
| K tbl | Knit through the back loop |  |
| P tbl | Purl through the back loop |  |
Yarn Overs
| ABB | Explanation | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | Yarn over |  |
| Yo x2 | Yarn over twice |  |
| Yo x3 | Yarn over three times |  |
| Yo x4 | Yarn over four times |  |
| Yo x5 | Yarn over five times |  |
| Yo x6 | Yarn over six times |  |
| Kyok | Knit one, yarn over, knit one in the same stitch |  |
| Pyop | Purl 1, yarn over, purl 1 in the same stitch |  |
Decrease Stitches
| ABB | Explanation | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Ssk | Slip slip knit |  |
| K2tog | Knit two stitches together |  |
| Twisted ssk | Twisted slip slip knit |  |
| Twisted k2tog | Twisted knit two stitches together |  |
| Ssp | Slip slip purl |  |
| P2tog | Purl two stitches together |  |
| Sssk Sk2p |
Slip slip slip knit Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over |
 |
| K3tog | Knit three stitches together |  |
| Sssp | Slip slip slip purl |  |
| P3tog | Purl three stitches together |  |
| CDD | Centered Double Decrease |  |
| CDDP | Centered Double Decrease Purlwise |  |
| K4tog | Knit 4 together |  |
| K5tog | Knit 5 together |  |
| K6tog | Knit 6 together |  |
| K7tog | Knit 7 together |  |
