Knitting Symbols: Explained on Both Sides 🆕

When it comes to knitting, understanding the symbols used in patterns is essential. Knitting symbols are like a language that guides the knitter through their creative journey. Each symbol holds a unique meaning, representing a particular type of stitch or even a specialized technique.

Here are the knitting symbols explained for both right-side and wrong-side rows.

🟥 Basic symbols

Language of knitting patterns

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	Co Cast on	Co  Cast on
	Bo Bind off	Bo  Bind off
	No stitch	No stitch

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	K Knit	P Purl
	P Purl	K Knit
	K tbl Knit through the back loop	P tbl Purl through the back loop
	P tbl Purl through the back loop	K tbl Knit through the back loop
	K1b Knit 1 below	P1b Purl 1 below
	Sl wyib Slip stitch with yarn in back	Sl wyif Slip stitch with yarn in front
	Sl wyif Slip stitch with yarn in front	Sl wyib Slip stitch with yarn in back

🟥 Yarn over symbols

Language of knitting patterns

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	Yo Yarn over	Yo Yarn over
	Yo x2 Yarn over twice	Yo x2 Yarn over twice
	Yo x3 Yarn over three times	Yo x3 Yarn over three times
	Kyok (K1, yo, k1) in the same stitch	Pyop (P1, yo, k1) in the same stitch
	Pyop (P1, yo, p1) in the same stitch	Kyok (K1, yo, k1) in the same stitch

🟥 Increase symbols

Language of knitting patterns

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	M1r / M1l Make one stitch (right/left)	M1rp / M1lp Make one purl-wise (right/left)
	M1rp / M1lp Make one purl-wise (right/left)	M1r / M1l Make one stitch (right/left)
	LLI Left-leaning lifted increase	LLIp Left lifted increase (purled)
	RLI Right-leaning lifted increase	RLIp Right lifted increase (purled)
	LLIp Left lifted increase (purled)	LLI Left-leaning lifted increase
	RLIp Right lifted increase (purled)	RLI Right-leaning lifted increase
	(k1, p1) in one stitch	(p1, k1) in one stitch
	(k1, p1, k1) in one stitch	(p1, k1, p1) in one stitch

🟥 Decrease symbols

Language of knitting patterns

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	Ssk Slip slip knit	Ssp Slip slip purl
	K2tog Knit two stitches together	P2tog Purl two stitches together
	Ssp Slip slip purl	Ssk Slip slip knit
	P2tog Purl two stitches together	K2tog Knit two stitches together
	Sssk Slip slip slip knit	Sssp Slip slip slip purl
	K3tog Knit three stitches together	P3tog Purl three stitches together
	Sssp Slip slip slip purl	Sssk Slip slip slip knit
	P3tog Purl three stitches together	K3tog Knit three stitches together
	S2kp Slip 2 knit-wise, knit 1,  pass slipped stitches over	S2PP Slip 2, purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	S2PP Slip 2, purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over	S2kp Slip 2 knitwise, knit 1,  pass slipped stitches over
	K4tog Knit 4 together	Purl 4 together
	K5tog Knit 5 together	Purl 5 together
	K7tog Knit 7 together	Purl 7 together

🟥 Brioche symbols

Language of knitting patterns

SYMBOL	RIGHT SIDE	WRONG SIDE
	brk Brioche knit, a.k.a bark	brp Brioche purl, a.k.a burp
	brp Brioche purl, a.k.a burp	brk Brioche knit, a.k.a bark
	yf sl1yo Yarn Forward, Slip 1, Yarn Over	yf sl1yo Yarn Forward, Slip 1, Yarn Over
	brk2tog Brioche knit 2 stitches together	brp2tog Brioche purl 2 stitches together
	brssk Slip, slip, bark pass slipped stitches over	brssp Slip, slip, burp slipped stitches over
	brk3tog bark 3 stitches together	brp3tog burp 3 stitches together
	brsssk Slip, slip, bark 1, pass slipped stitches over	brsssp Slip, slip, burp 1,  slipped stitches over
	brp2tog Brioche purl 2 stitches together	brk2tog Brioche knit 2 stitches together
	brssp Slip, slip, burp 1, pass slipped stitches over	brssk Slip, slip, bark pass slipped stitches over
	brp3tog burp 3 stitches together	brk3tog bark 3 stitches together
	brsssp Slip, slip, burp 1,  slipped stitches over	brsssk Slip, slip, bark 1, pass slipped stitches over
	brcdd Brioche centred double decrease	brcddp Brioche centred double decrease purlwise
	brcddp Brioche centred double decrease purlwise	brcdd Brioche centred double decrease
	brk tbl bark through the back loop	brp tbl burp through the back loop

Also, make sure to always refer to the pattern key when working on a knitting project, especially when there are variations in the knit symbols, to ensure accuracy. The pattern key will provide clear instructions on how to interpret each symbol and ensure that your project turns out just as intended. By taking the time to carefully reference the pattern key, you can avoid mistakes and create a beautiful finished product that you can be proud of.
Happy knitting!