The Language of Knitting: Abbreviations, Terms

Knitting abbreviations, terms are convenient ways to write knitting instructions in a shorter form.
Not sure what the abbreviations, terms in knitting patterns mean? Check out the list below to find the answers to your questions.

Table of Contents

• Basic Knitting Information: A Guide for Beginners
• Understanding Terms and Measurements
• 25 Common Knitting Abbreviations
• A-Z Glossary

Basic Knitting Information: A Guide for Beginners

For new knitters, dedicating time to study knitting terms and abbreviations in patterns is essential. This knowledge provides a solid foundation that helps you enjoy the craft of knitting without confusion or frustration.
For an experienced knitter who can tell how a product is made just by looking at it, without needing written instructions, is it still necessary to understand the knitting terms and abbreviations in patterns? The answer is a resounding yes! Understanding these will allow you to quickly grasp the techniques and execute the pattern with ease, helping you avoid mistakes and making the knitting process smoother and more efficient.
Here’s a helpful list to assist knitters in understanding patterns and instructions:

Understanding Terms and Measurements

Term	Description
*	repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
* *	repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat at specified locations
{}, []	work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( )	work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed or work a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space

Measurement	Description
" or in	inch
cm	centimeter
g	gram
m	met
mm	millimeter
oz	ounce
yd	yard

25 Common Knitting Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Description
CO	Cast on
BO	Bind off
Beg	Beginning
BOR	Beginning of round
Cont	Continue
Patt	Pattern
St/sts	Stitch/Stitches
Rep	Repeat
Dec	Decrease
Inc	Increase
K	Knit
Kwise	knitwise
P	Purl
Pwise	Purlwise
Kfb	Knit in the front and back of the same stitch
Pfb	Purl in the front and back of the same stitch
Yo	Yarn over
K2tog	Knit two stitches together
P2tog	Purl two stitches together
Ssk	Slip two stitches on the right needle and knit them together
Ssp	Slip two stitches on the right needle and purl them together
Sl or sl st	Slip stitch
Psso	Pass the slip stitch over
M1L	Make a new stitch by lifting the yarn in the space between the stitches and knitting into the back loop
M1R	Make a new stitch by lifting the yarn in the space between the stitches and knitting into the back loop

📑 A-Z Glossary

An alphabetically-ordered glossary of the knitting abbreviations, terms, and their meanings.
This is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive list of all abbreviations you may encounter in your knitting experiences. Some abbreviations may vary depending on the country or region. To ensure that you understand the abbreviations and terms being used, it's always a good idea to check the pattern's key or glossary. If you ever have any doubts about an abbreviation or instruction in a pattern, don't hesitate to seek help from more experienced knitters or online knitting communities.

Simply click on any letter below, and it will take you directly to the corresponding section where you'll find detailed explanations of the terms and abbreviations.

A B C D E F G H J I K L M N O P QR S T UV W XYZ

A

alt	alternate/alternating; usually used to instruct to alternate between different stitch patterns or colors
afterthought heel	a sock heel technique where the heel is added after the rest of the sock is completed, usually by picking up stitches and knitting a separate heel
applied i-cord	applied i-cord; a technique for creating a knitted cord that is attached to the edge of a project as it is worked
applied ribbing	applied ribbing; a technique for adding ribbing to an existing piece of knitting, usually by picking up stitches along an edge
approx	approximately; often used to describe measurements or gauge
aran	a style of knitting characterized by intricate cables and textured stitch patterns
aran weight	a heavier weight yarn category that is often used for warm, cozy sweaters and accessories
argyle	a geometric knitting pattern that features diamond shapes and diagonal lines, often used in sock and sweater designs
at the same time	a pattern instruction that indicates two or more shaping or stitch pattern elements should be worked simultaneously within the same row or round

B

backward loop cast on	a simple method of casting on stitches, where loops of yarn are added to the needle one at a time
ball winder	a tool used to wind skeins or hanks of yarn into neat, center-pull balls or cakes, making them easier to use while knitting
beg	begin/beginning; typically used to indicate the start of a row, round, or pattern
bet	between; used to indicate the position of a stitch or action in relation to other stitches or actions
blocking	the process of shaping and setting a knitted item by wetting it and laying it out to dry in the desired shape and size
blocking mats	interlocking foam mats used for blocking and shaping knitted pieces
BO	a decorative stitch that creates a small, raised ball of stitches on the surface of the fabric
bor	beginning of round/row; the point at which the first stitch of a round or row is located
bottom-up	a method of sweater construction where the garment is worked from the hem up to the neck
break the yarn	cut the yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail to weave in later
brioche stitch	stitch pattern that creates a reversible, squishy fabric with a lot of elasticity using a combination of slipped stitches and yarn overs
brk	brioche knit; a brioche stitch that is worked by knitting the stitch together with its accompanying yarn over
brp	brioche purl; a brioche stitch that is worked by purling the stitch together with its accompanying yarn over
byo	backward yarn over; a technique that involves wrapping the yarn around the needle in the opposite direction of a standard yarn over, creating a twist in the loop and a smaller hole in the fabric

C

C2B	cable 2 back; a cable stitch involving two stitches held to the back of the work to create a right-leaning 2-stitch cable
C2F	cable 2 front; a cable stitch involving two stitches held to the front of the work to create a left-leaning 2-stitch cable
cables	a technique that creates twisted or braided patterns by rearranging the order of stitches
CC	contrasting color; a secondary color used in a pattern, often for stripes or colorwork designs
cable cast on	a method of casting on stitches that creates a firm, neat edge, often used for edges that need to be sturdy or resist stretching
CB	cable back; a cable stitch that involves holding stitches to the back of the work to create a right-leaning cable
cdd	centred double decrease (2 stitches decreased); a decrease that involves slipping two stitches, knitting one, and then passing the slipped stitches over the knit stitch, creating a decrease of two stitches with the center stitch on top
CF	cable front; a cable stitch that involves holding stitches to the front of the work to create a left-leaning cable
chart	a visual representation of a knitting pattern using symbols and colors
ch	chain; a crochet term referring to a series of loops made by pulling yarn through previous loops, used in some knit and crochet combination techniques
circ	circular; refers to knitting projects or techniques that are worked in the round, using circular needles or double-pointed needles
circular needles	knitting needles that are connected by a flexible cord, allowing for knitting in the round and for knitting larger projects without the weight of the project resting on straight needles
CL	cable left; a term used in cable knitting patterns to indicate that stitches should be held in the front of the work while knitting the next stitches
cm	centimeters
cn	cable needle; a short, double-pointed needle used to hold stitches temporarily when working cable patterns
CO	cast on (or sometimes cast off); a method to create the initial stitches on the needle before starting to knit
colorwork	a knitting technique in which multiple colors of yarn are used to create patterns or designs in the fabric; common colorwork techniques include stranded knitting (e.g., Fair Isle), intarsia, and mosaic knitting
cont	continue; a term used to indicate that the knitter should keep working in the established pattern
continental knitting	a method of knitting where the working yarn is held in the left hand and stitches are picked or scooped with the right-hand needle. also known as “picking” or “European knitting”
corrugated ribbing	a type of ribbing pattern that is worked with two colors, typically one for the knit stitches and another for the purl stitches
course	a horizontal row of stitches in knitting, similar to a row in flat knitting or a round in circular knitting
CR	cable right; a term used in cable knitting patterns to indicate that stitches should be held in the back of the work while knitting the next stitches
CT	cable twist; a technique used to create texture and interest in knitted fabric by crossing groups of stitches over one another
cuff down	a sock knitting method that starts at the cuff and works down towards the toe

D

dec	decrease(d)/decreasing; a technique used to reduce the number of stitches in a row or round, shaping the fabric
dk	double knitting; a medium weight yarn, slightly lighter than worsted weight, used for a wide range of projects
do not turn	an instruction in a pattern indicating that the work should not be turned at the end of a row, often used in short rows or circular knitting
double knitting	a technique where two layers of fabric are knit simultaneously on the same needles, creating a reversible, double-thickness fabric
dpn	double-pointed needles; knitting needles with points on both ends, used for small circumference knitting like socks and sleeves
drop stitch	a technique that involves dropping a stitch off the needle and allowing it to unravel, creating an elongated stitch or a ladder effect
duplicate stitch	a method of adding embroidery or duplicate stitches over an existing knit fabric, often used for adding decorative elements or fixing mistakes
dye lot	a number assigned to a batch of yarn that has been dyed together, indicating a consistent color throughout the batch

E

ease	the difference between the body measurements and the finished garment measurements, affecting the fit of the garment (negative ease for a tighter fit, positive ease for a looser fit)
edge stitch	a stitch used to create a clean and stable edge on the knitted piece
entrelac	a knitting technique that creates a textured, woven appearance by knitting small squares and triangles in a modular fashion
eon	end of needle
eor	end of row/round; the point at which the last stitch of a round or row is located
est	established; used in knitting patterns to indicate that the stitch pattern or sequence has been set and should be continued as previously described
Estonian Braid	a decorative stitch pattern used in knitting, originating from Estonia, that creates a raised, braided texture on the surface of the fabric; often used as a border or embellishment in traditional Estonian knitting patterns such as mittens, hats, and shawls
EZ’s Sewn BO	Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Sewn Bind Off; a stretchy bind-off method using a tapestry needle to sew the stitches together

F

f-b	front and back
fair isle	a term to indicate that the work should be bound off or fastened off and the yarn cut and secured
felting	sometimes known as fulling. a process that involves washing, agitating, and sometimes applying heat to wool, causing the fibers to shrink and mat together. creates a denser, more stable material
fish lips kiss heel	a sock heel technique that uses short rows and unique shaping to create a well-fitting heel
fleegle heel	a sock heel technique that uses a combination of gusset increases and short rows for a seamless and well-fitting heelsock heel technique that uses a combination of gusset increases and short rows for a seamless and well-fitting heel
FO	finished object; a completed knitting project
foll	follow; indicates that the knitter should continue working as directed in the previous instructions or continue with the established stitch pattern
frog(ging)	to “rip it, rip it”; the act of ripping out stitches, usually several rows or entire projects, to correct a mistake or start over

G

g	grams
garter st	garter stitch; a basic knitting stitch pattern where all rows are knit stitches
garter tab	a small rectangular piece worked in garter stitch, often used as the starting point for top-down, triangular shawls to create a smooth edge
gauge	sometimes known as tension. the number of stitches and rows per inch or centimeter in a knitted piece, determined by the size of needles and the tension of the knitter
gauge swatch	a small sample of knitting worked in the stitch pattern and yarn weight of the project to determine gauge or tension
German short rows	a short-row technique that uses a special double stitch to prevent holes in the fabric
grafting	a technique used to join two pieces of knitting creating a seamless join
gusset	triangular-shaped sections used to shape a sock, usually found at the sides of the heel and created through increases

H

hank	a skein of yarn wound into a loose, coiled shape, often used for hand-dyed or specialty yarns
heel flap	a rectangular section of knitting on the back of a sock that is worked separately from the rest of the sock, often using slipped stitches and garter stitch edges for reinforcement
heel turn	the process of shaping the bottom of the heel on a sock, using short rows or other techniques to create a cup-like shape that wraps around the heel of the foot
helix knitting	a technique for knitting stripes in the round without a visible “jog” at the color change, by using multiple strands of yarn
HFO	half finished object; describes a project that is partially completed, often set aside temporarily in favor of starting a new project or due to a lack of motivation or time to complete it
hibernating	describes a project that has been put on hold or paused, often due to a lack of interest, time, or motivation to continue; hibernating projects may be stored away for a period of time before being resumed or eventually abandoned
holding sts	stitches that are placed on a stitch holder or waste yarn to be worked later
HOTN	hot off the needles; used to describe a finished knitting project that has just been completed

I

i-cord	idiot cord; a narrow, tubular cord of knitted fabric created by working a small number of stitches, typically 3 to 5, and sliding them back to the beginning of the needle after each row, often used for edgings, handles, or decorative elements
i-cord BO	i-cord bind off; a method of binding off that creates an i-cord along the edge, providing a finished, decorative look
Icelandic bind off	a stretchy bind-off method that creates a decorative, slightly elastic edge
illusion knitting	also known as shadow knitting, a technique that creates a hidden pattern visible only from certain angles using knit and purl stitches
in	inches
in the round	knitting in a continuous spiral to create a seamless fabric, often using circular or double-pointed needle
inc	increase(d)/increasing; a knitting technique used to add stitches to the fabric, can be achieved with various methods like yarn over, knit front and back, or make one
incl	including; a term used in knitting patterns to indicate that certain elements or instructions are part of the overall stitch count or process
intarsia	a colorwork knitting technique that involves working separate sections of a pattern in different colors, without carrying the unused yarn across the back of the work, creating a single layer of fabric with no floats
intarsia twist	a technique used in intarsia knitting to prevent holes at color changes by twisting the two yarn strands around each other before continuing with the new color
invisible CO	invisible cast on; a provisional cast-on method that allows stitches to be easily picked up and worked in the opposite direction later, used in seamless or top-down construction

J

Japanese short rows	a short row technique that uses a small loop of contrasting yarn or a removable stitch marker to keep track of the wrapped stitch, which is later lifted and worked together with the adjacent stitch to close the gap
jog	the point where the beginning and end of a round meet in circular knitting, often resulting in a visible step or disruption in the pattern, especially in stripes
jogless stripes	a technique used in circular knitting to minimize the appearance of a jog or step when changing colors, by adjusting the beginning of the round or slipping stitches
join	the act of connecting stitches or pieces of knitting, either by knitting them together, sewing, or using other techniques
joining in the round	the process of connecting the first and last stitches on a circular needle or double-pointed needles to create a continuous loop for circular knitting
JMCO	Judy’s magic cast-on; a cast-on method developed by Judy Becker, used for toe-up socks and other seamless projects, that creates a seamless, invisible join on both sides of the fabric
JSSBO	Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off; a bind-off method developed by Jenny Staiman that creates a very stretchy edge, making it suitable for projects that require elasticity, such as socks, shawls, and cuffs

K

k	knit; a basic knitting stitch that creates a smooth, flat fabric on the right side and a bumpy fabric on the wrong side, also referred to as stockinette or stocking stitch
k1b	knit one below; to knit into the stitch below the one on the needle
k2tog	knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased); a basic knitting decrease that involves working two stitches together as one knit stitch, reducing the stitch count by one
k3tog	knit 3 stitches together (2 stitches decreased); a knitting decrease that involves working three stitches together as one knit stitch, reducing the stitch count by two
KAL	knit-along; a community event in which knitters work on the same project or pattern together, often sharing progress and tips along the way
kitchener stitch	a grafting technique that joins two sets of live stitches together seamlessly, often used for closing the toes of socks or joining the edges of a project
kfb	knit into the front and back of a stitch (1 stitch increased); an increase that involves working a knit stitch through the front and then the back loop of the same stitch, creating two stitches from one
kfbf	knit into the front, back and front of a stitch (2 stitches increased); an increase that involves knitting into the front, back, and front of the same stitch, creating three stitches from one
KIP	knit in public
ktbl	knit through the back loop; a twisted knit stitch that involves working the knit stitch through the back loop of the stitch, creating a tighter, twisted stitch
kwise	knitwise; inserting the needle into a stitch as if to knit, often used when slipping stitches or working other techniques

L

lace weight	a very fine weight of yarn, typically used for delicate, lacy patterns
Latvian braid	a decorative horizontal element often used in colorwork, created by using a specific method of purling and twisting yarns
LC	left cross; a knitting technique that involves crossing stitches in such a way that the left stitch appears to be on top of the right stitch, typically used in cable patterns
leading leg	the part of a stitch that is closer to the needle tip when the stitch is mounted correctly on the needle
LH	left hand; in knitting, this term often refers to the needle held in the left hand or the way stitches are worked when the left hand is the dominant hand
lifeline	a length of yarn threaded through a row of stitches, used as a safety net to easily rip back to that row without losing any stitches
LLD	left leaning decrease; a decrease that slants to the left on the right side of the fabric
LLI	left lifted increase; a left-leaning increase made by knitting into the stitch below the one on the left needle
long-tail cast on	a cast-on method that creates a stretchy, durable edge by using both the working yarn and a long tail
lp(s)	loop(s); refers to the loops of yarn that form the stitches on the knitting needles
LPT	left purl twist; a technique that creates a small twist or cable by crossing two purl stitches to the left; usually achieved by purling the second stitch on the left needle through the back loop without dropping it off, then purling the first stitch and dropping both stitches
LT	left twist; a knitting technique that creates a mock cable stitch by crossing one stitch over the stitch to its left, without the use of a cable needle
LYS	local yarn store

M

m	marker; a small tool or piece of yarn used to mark a specific point or location in a knitting project, such as the beginning of a round or a specific pattern repeat
m	metres
magic knot	a technique used to securely join two strands of yarn together without adding bulk, often used to change colors or to join new yarn in knitting and crochet projects
magic loop	a method of knitting small-diameter projects in the round using a long circular needle, especially useful for small-diameter projects such as socks or sleeves. the cable is pulled through the stitches to form two loops, allowing the knitter to work around the circumference without needing double-pointed needles
MAL	make-along; a community event in which crafters work on projects together. similar to knit-along but can include multiple different crafts like knitting, crocheting, spinning
m1	make 1 stitch (left leaning increase): insert left needle from front to back under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and ktbl (1 stitch increased)
m1l	make 1 left (left leaning increase): insert left needle from front to back under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and ktbl (1 stitch increased)
m1lp	make 1 purl left (left leaning increase): insert left needle from front to back under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and ptbl (1 stitch increased)
m1p	make 1 purl stitch (left leaning increase): insert left needle from front to back under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and ptbl (1 stitch increased)
m1pl	make 1 purl left (left leaning increase): insert left needle from front to back under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and ptbl (1 stitch increased)
m1pr	make 1 purl right (right leaning increase): insert left needle from back to front under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and purl into the front of the lifted strand (1 stitch increased)
m1r	make 1 right (right leaning incease): insert left needle from back to front under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and knit into the front of the lifted strand (1 stitch increased)
m1rp	make 1 purl right (right leaning increase): insert left needle from back to front under the strand of yarn which runs between the next st on the left needle and the st just worked on the right needle and purl into the front of the lifted strand (1 stitch increased)
mattress stitch	a sewing technique used in knitting to join two pieces of fabric together edge-to-edge with an invisible seam, often used for seaming garment pieces or for joining blocks in an afghan
mb	make bobble; a knitting technique used to create a small, textured, raised element on the surface of the fabric. typically achieved by increasing multiple stitches into one stitch, working a few rows or rounds, and then decreasing back to the original stitch count before continuing with the pattern
MC	main color; the primary color used in a knitting project, often in contrast to one or more contrasting colors (CC) in a multicolored pattern
mds	make double stitch; a technique used in short row knitting, specifically in German short rows, that involves slipping a stitch purlwise with the yarn in front, pulling the working yarn up and over the needle to create a “double stitch” that helps prevent gaps in the fabric
mitered square	a square knitting technique that begins with a certain number of stitches and uses centered decreases to create a diagonal line or pattern, often used for modular knitting projects like blankets or garments
mm	millimetres
mobius	a type of knitting project that features a continuous, twisted loop, often achieved by casting on stitches onto a long circular needle and twisting the stitches once before joining them to work in the round, creating a seamless, twisted fabric
mosaic	a colorwork technique that uses slipped stitches and only one color per row to create patterns

N

Navajo ply	a technique used in yarn spinning to create a three-ply yarn from a single strand by creating loops and chaining the yarn
ndl	needle; an alternative abbreviation for needle, a tool used in knitting to hold and manipulate stitches
Norwegian purl	an alternative purling technique for continental knitting, in which the working yarn is held at the back of the work which allows the knitter to switch between knitting and purling without moving the yarn
no stitch	a symbol or placeholder used in knitting charts to indicate that no stitch is to be worked in a particular spot, often used to maintain the shape of the chart or to represent decreases that have been worked in previous rows or rounds
nupp	a decorative element in Estonian lace knitting, created by increasing multiple stitches in one stitch and then purling them together on the following row, resulting in a small, rounded bump on the fabric’s surface

O

old Norwegian CO	also known as Twisted German Cast On, a stretchy cast-on method that creates a decorative edge
oz	ounce

P

p	purl; a basic knitting stitch that forms a bump on the fabric, typically worked by inserting the right needle into the front of the next stitch on the left needle from right to left, with the working yarn at the front of the work
p1b	purl 1 below; to purl into the stitch below the one on the needle
p2sso	pass two slipped stitches over; a knitting decrease that involves passing two slipped stitches over another stitch
p2tog	purl 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased); a decrease where you purl two stitches at the same time
p2togtbl	purl 2 stitches together through the back loops (1 stitch decreased); a decrease where you purl two stitches together through their back loops, creating a left-leaning decrease
p3tog	purl 3 stitches together (2 stitches decreased); a decrease in knitting that involves purling three stitches together as if they were one, reducing the stitch count by two
pat, patt	pattern; indicates a specific stitch sequence, design, or texture created by working a combination of stitches
pcm	place cable marker; an instruction to place a marker at a specific point in the knitting to indicate the beginning or end of a cable pattern
pfb	purl into the front and back of a stitch (1 stitch increased); an increase where you purl into the front and then the back of the same stitch, making two stitches from one
ply	the number of individual strands twisted together to make the yarn
pm	place marker; putting a stitch marker at a specific point in your knitting to mark important places, like the start of a round or pattern repeat
provisional cast-on	a temporary cast-on method in knitting that uses a waste yarn, allowing you to remove it later and have live stitches to work in the opposite direction
ps	pass stitch; a knitting technique where you move a stitch from one needle to another without knitting or purling it
psso	pass slipped stitch over; a decrease where a slipped stitch is passed over one or more stitches to create a slanted stitch
ptbl	purl through the back loop; a knitting technique where you purl a stitch through its back loop, twisting the stitch
pu	pick up; a technique where you pick up stitches along an edge or from a finished piece of knitting to start a new section
puk	pick up and knit; a technique where you pick up stitches from an edge or finished piece and knit them, starting a new section
pwise	purlwise; inserting the needle into a stitch as if to purl, often used when slipping stitches or working other techniques

QR

qiviut	a type of luxury fiber made from the soft undercoat of the musk ox, known for its warmth and softness
RC	right cross; a knitting technique that involves crossing stitches in such a way that the right stitch appears to be on top of the left stitch, typically used in cable patterns
rem	remaining/remains; often used in knitting patterns to indicate the number of stitches or rows left to work
rep(s)	repeat(s); an instruction in knitting patterns to work a specific set of stitches or rows multiple times
rev st st	reverse stockinette stitch;a fabric created by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side, resulting in a texture with the purl side facing out
RH	right hand; in knitting, this term often refers to the needle held in the right hand or the way stitches are worked when the right hand is the dominant hand
rnd(s)	round(s); used in knitting patterns to indicate working in the round, forming a circular or tubular fabric
RS	right side; the side of a knitted fabric that faces out or is intended to be visible
RPT	right purl twist; a technique that creates a small twist or cable by crossing two purl stitches to the right; usually achieved by purling two stitches together without dropping them off the left needle and then purling the first stitch again before dropping both stitches
RT	right twist; a knitting technique that creates a small cable or twist by crossing two stitches to the right
Russian join	a technique used to join two strands of yarn together without knots, by threading the ends through their own plies, resulting in a secure and almost invisible join; often used to minimize weaving in ends

S

s-twist	a type of twist in spun yarn or thread, characterized by the fibers twisting in a direction that resembles the diagonal of the letter “S” when viewed from the top; the opposite of a z-twist
s2kp	slip 2 sitches together knitwise, knit the next stitch, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch (2 stitches decreased); a centered double decrease
s3kp	slip 3 sitches together knitwise, knit the next stitch, pass the 3 slipped stitches over the knit stitch (3 stitches decreased); a centered triple decrease
SABLE	stash acquisition beyond life expectancy; used to describe an excessive amount of yarn in a knitter’s collection that exceeds their ability to knit it all in their lifetime; often used humorously to describe a knitter’s love for collecting yarn
SSS	second sock/sleeve syndrome; when a knitter loses all motivation to complete a second sock or sleeve after finishing the first one
seaming	joining two pieces of fabric together using a needle and yarn
seed stitch	a textured stitch pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches on both sides of the fabric, which creates a bumpy surface resembling scattered seeds
selvedge	the edge stitches of a piece of knitting, often worked in a specific pattern to create a neat edge
shadow knitting	also known as illusion knitting, a technique that creates a hidden pattern visible only from certain angles using knit and purl stitches
short rows	a technique that involves working partial rows to shape the fabric, often used for creating curves, shaping, or extra fabric in certain areas of a garment
short row heel	a sock heel technique that uses short rows to shape the heel, without the need for a gusset or heel flap
sk	slip the next stitch knitwise, k2tog, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch (2 stitches decreased); a double decrease that slants to the left
skein	a length of yarn that is loosely wound and often twisted into a bundle; it’s one of the most common ways yarn is packaged for sale, especially indie yarns; before use, a skein may need to be wound into a ball or cake using a ball winder or by hand
skp	slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit 1 stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch (1 stitch decreased); a left-slanting single decrease
sl	slip the next stitch purlwise (unless otherwise specified); move the stitch from the left needle to the right needle without working it
sl1k	slip 1 stitch knitwise
sl1, k2tog, psso	slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over; a double decrease that slants to the left; involves slipping one stitch, knitting the next two stitches together, and then passing the slipped stitch over the stitch resulting from the knit 2 together
sl1p	slip 1 stitch purlwise
sl st	slip the next stitch purlwise (unless otherwise specified)
slm	slip marker; move the stitch marker from the left needle to the right needle while knitting
sm	slip marker; move the stitch marker from the left needle to the right needle while knitting
sock weight yarn	a thin, lightweight yarn often used for knitting socks or delicate garments.
spit splice	a technique for joining two strands of non superwash wool yarn by wetting and felting the ends together
ssk	slip, slip, knit: slip 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit the slipped sts together through the back loop (1 stitch decreased); a left-slanting single decrease
sssk	slip, slip, slip, knit: slip 3 stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit the slipped sts together through the back loop (2 stitches decreased); a left-slanting double decrease
ssp	slip, slip, purl: slip 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, then purl the slipped sts together through the back loop (1 stitch decreased); a left-slanting single decrease worked on the purl side of the fabric
st(s)	stitch(es)
st st	stockinette stitch, sometimes known as stocking stitch; a basic knitting stitch pattern created by alternating knit rows and purl rows in flat knitting, or knitting every round in circular knitting (purl on the RS, knit on the WS)
stash	a knitter’s collection of yarn, often accumulated over time
stitch holder	a tool used to hold live stitches temporarily when they are not being worked, often used to shape necklines, sleeves, or other garment features
stitch markers	small tools used to mark a specific stitch or location in the knitting
steek(ing)	a technique used in knitting to create an opening in a fabric by cutting through the stitches; often used in stranded colorwork patterns to create openings for sleeves, cardigan fronts, or other features
stockinette	also known as stocking stitch; a basic knitting fabric created by knitting one row and purling the next row when working flat, or knitting every round when working in the round
stranded knitting	a colorwork technique in which two or more colors of yarn are used in a single row or round, with the yarn not in use carried or “floated” along the wrong side of the fabric; common stranded knitting styles include Fair Isle and Scandinavian knitting
super bulky weight	a very thick weight of yarn, typically used for creating warm, cozy accessories and blankets.
superwash	a treatment for wool yarn that makes it machine washable and resistant to felting
swatch	a small sample of knitting, usually made to check gauge or test a stitch pattern
sweater curse	an urban legend that claims that knitting a sweater for a romantic partner will lead to the relationship ending soon after
swift	a tool used to hold a skein or hank of yarn while it is being wound into a ball; it can be umbrella-shaped or a flat, vertical wheel with adjustable pegs

T

tbl	through the back loop; a technique in which a stitch is worked through the back loop instead of the front loop, resulting in a twisted stitch
tension	also known as gauge. the tightness or looseness of the yarn while knitting
throwing	also known as English knitting or right-hand knitting; a method of knitting where the yarn is held in the right hand and “thrown” over the right-hand needle to form a new stitch
tinking	un-knitting or working backward stitch by stitch to undo work; often used to correct mistakes in knitting without ripping out multiple rows; (tink = knit backwards)
toe-up	a sock knitting method that starts at the toe and works up towards the cuff
tog	together; to work two or more stitches together, as in a decrease
top-down	a method of sweater construction where the garment is worked from the neckline down to the hem
tubular CO	tubular cast-on; creates a stretchy and nearly invisible edge often used for ribbing in socks, hats, and other garments; it creates a seamless transition between the cast-on edge and the ribbed fabric
tuck stitch	a textured stitch created by knitting into a stitch several rows below the current row, creating a small “tuck” or fold in the fabric
twisted German CO	twisted German cast on; a stretchy, elastic cast-on method, also known as the Old Norwegian cast on, that is particularly suitable for projects requiring flexibility, such as socks, hats, and cuffs; it creates a neat, decorative edge
twisted stitches	stitches that are worked through the back loop, creating a twisted appearance
two-at-a-time	a technique for knitting two identical pieces simultaneously on one set of needles, often used for socks or sleeves

UV

UFO	unfinished object; a knitting project that has been started but not yet finished, often in favor of starting a new project
unknit	another term for “tinking”; the process of undoing stitches one by one to fix mistakes without ripping out multiple rows
unspun yarn	a type of yarn that has not been twisted or plied, making it less durable but often softer and fluffier than traditional spun yarns
US	United States; typically used as a prefix for needle sizes in the United States system, which uses a different numbering system than other countries
vanilla socks	a basic, simple sock pattern, often knit in stockinette stitch with minimal or no intricate stitch patterns, colorwork, or cables; usually considered an ideal starting point for beginners learning to knit socks. can be easily customized to the individual knitter’s preferred stitch count and method
variegated	a type of yarn that has multiple colors or shades blended together, creating a unique and often random pattern when knitted
Vikkel Braid	also known as Estonian Braid, a decorative horizontal element often used in colorwork, created by using a specific method of knitting and twisting yarns

W

w-t	wrap and turn; a technique used in short row shaping to prevent holes in the fabric by wrapping the working yarn around the next unworked stitch and turning the work
wale	a vertical column of stitches in a knitted fabric, formed by a single stitch being worked up through successive row
waste yarn	a temporary yarn used to hold stitches, often for provisional cast-ons or as a stitch holder
whipstitch	a sewing stitch used to join two pieces of fabric, such as knitted or crocheted items, by passing the needle and thread through the edge loops of each piece in a spiral or diagonal pattern
winding	the process of transferring yarn from a skein, hank, or other form into a ball, cake, or another shape that is easier to work with while knitting or crocheting
WIP	work in progress; a knitting project that is not yet finished
won	wool over needle; another term for yarn over, which involves bringing the yarn over the needle to create a new stitch and an intentional hole in the fabric
woolen spun	a method of spinning yarn where the fibers are carded, rather than combed, creating a yarn that is lighter, loftier, and warmer, with a more rustic appearance and softer stitch definition
work even	to continue knitting or crocheting without increasing, decreasing, or changing stitch patterns; maintaining the same number of stitches and pattern throughout
working yarn	the strand of yarn that is being actively used to create stitches in knitting or crochet; it is typically attached to the skein or ball of yarn
worsted spun	a method of spinning yarn where the fibers are combed to align them parallel to each other, resulting in a smoother, denser yarn with a well-defined stitch definition
worsted weight	a medium thickness yarn, commonly used for a wide variety of projects
wpi	wraps per inch; a measurement of yarn thickness by wrapping yarn around a ruler or tool and counting the number of wraps in one inch
wrn	wool round needle; another term for yarn over, which involves wrapping the yarn around the needle to create a new stitch and an intentional hole in the fabric
WS	wrong side; the side of the fabric that faces inward or is not meant to be visible in a finished piece; typically where the ends are woven in and where seams are joined
wy	waste yarn; a temporary yarn used to hold stitches, often for provisional cast-ons or as a stitch holder
wyib	with yarn in back; a direction to hold the working yarn at the back of the work while performing the next stitch or action
wyif	with yarn in front; a direction to hold the working yarn at the front of the work while performing the next stitch or action

XYZ

xoxo	a common stitch pattern abbreviation for a cable pattern that alternates right-leaning and left-leaning cables, resembling the appearance of X’s and O’s
yarn barf	the tangled mess of yarn that you get when the end of a skein or ball of yarn becomes tangled with the rest of the yarn, usually when you try and pull out the middle of a center pull ball
yarn bowl	a bowl or other container designed to hold a ball or skein of yarn while knitting, keeping it from rolling or tangling
yarn cake	a cylindrical, flat-sided shape of yarn, typically created by winding yarn on a ball winder, which allows the yarn to be pulled easily from the center
yarn over	a technique where the working yarn is brought over the needle to create an extra stitch and a decorative hole in the knitting
yarn weight	the thickness of yarn, ranging from lace weight (very thin) to super bulky (very thick)
yb	yarn back; a direction to move the working yarn to the back of the work while knitting, often used when transitioning between knit and purl stitches
yds	yards
yf	yarn front; a direction to move the working yarn to the front of the work while knitting, often used when transitioning between knit and purl stitches
yfwd	yarn forward; a technique where the working yarn is brought to the front of the work before working the next stitch, creating a yarn over
yo	yarn over (1 stitch increased); a technique to create a new stitch and an intentional hole in the fabric by wrapping the working yarn around the needle
yrn	yarn round needle; a technique similar to a yarn over, created by wrapping the yarn around the needle between two purl stitches
z-twist	a type of twist in spun yarn or thread, characterized by the fibers twisting in a direction that resembles the diagonal of the letter “Z” when viewed from the top; the opposite of an s-twist

While knitting abbreviations may vary between pattern providers and even countries, acquiring a solid understanding of the fundamental abbreviations will enable you to decode instructions effortlessly. With practice and familiarity, you'll confidently piece together the pattern's steps, creating beautiful knitted projects that reflect your creativity and skill.
Happy knitting!