Knitting Abbreviations Master List

Following is a list of knitting abbreviations commonly used by yarn industry designers and publishers. In addition, designers and publishers may use special abbreviations in a pattern, which you might not find on this list. Generally, a definition of special abbreviations is given at the beginning of a book or pattern. These definitions reflect U.S. knitting terminology.

Also on this page:
Terms & Common Measurements
Abbreviation & Term Differences between the U.S. and Canada

Abbreviation Description
alt alternate
approx approximately
beg beginning
bet between
BO bind off
byo backward yarn over
CC contrasting color
cn cable needle
CO cast on
cont continue
dec decrease
dpn double-pointed needles
foll follow
inc increase
k knit
k1B knit stitch in row below
kfb knit 1 into front and back of a stitch; single knit increase
ksp knit 1 stitch, slip this stitch from right needle to left needle, pass second stitch on left needle over first stitch and off left needle; return stitch to right needle; single right-leaning decrease
k2tog knit 2 stitches together; single right-leaning decrease
kwise knitwise
LH left hand
lp loop
m marker
M1 or M1K make one stitch knitwise; single knit increase
M1R make one right; single right-leaning knit increase
M1L make one left; single left-leaning knit increase
M1p make one purlwise; single purl increase
M1rp make one right purlwise; single right-leaning purl increase
M1lp make one left purlwise; single left-leaning purl increase
MC main color
p purl
pat or patt pattern
pfb purl 1 into front and back of a stitch; single purl increase
pm place marker
p2tog purl 2 stitches together; single decrease
prev previous
psso pass slipped stitch over
p2sso pass 2 slipped stitches over
pwise purlwise
rem remaining
rep repeat
rev St st reverse stockinette stitch
RH right hand
rnd round
Abbreviation Description
RS right side
SKP slip 1 knitwise, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch; single left-leaning decrease
SK2P slip 1 knitwise, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over knit 2 together; double left-leaning decrease
sl slip
sl1k slip 1 knitwise
sl1p slip 1 purlwise
sl st slip stitch
sm slip marker
ssk slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back loops; single left-leaning decrease
ssp slip 2 stitches knitwise, return these 2 stitches to left needle and purl them together through back loops; single left-leaning decrease
sssk slip 3 stitches knitwise, knit these 3 stitches together through back loops; double left-leaning decrease
sssp slip 3 stitches knitwise, return these 3 stitches to left needle and purl these 3 stitches together through back loops; double left-leaning decrease
S2KP2 slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 together, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over knit stitch; centered double decrease
SSPP2 slip 2 stitches knitwise, return these 2 stitches to left needle and then slip them as if to p2tog through back loops, purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over purl stitch; centered double decrease
st stitch
St st stockinette stitch
tbl through back loop
tfl through front loop
tog together
WS wrong side
w&t wrap and turn
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
yb yarn back
yfwd or yf yarn forward
yo yarn over
yon yarn over needle
yrn yarn round needle

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Terms & Common 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 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 meter
mm millimeter
oz ounce
yd yard

Abbreviation & Term Differences between the U.S. and Canada

U.S. Canada
bind off cast off
gauge tension
slip stitch (sl st) slip stitch (ss)

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