Common Knitting Abreviations
Today I am attempting to bring to you a fairly comprehensive list, in the form of a table, that describes commonly used knitting abreviations. Until the hubster finds a way for us to dynamically reorganize the list, you can search it by using the ‘find’ command (Apple ‘f’ on a Mac). This list will also show up in the knitting glossary.
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| B | bobble |
| beg | begin, beginning, begins |
| bet | between |
| BO | bind off |
| C | cable |
| C4B | sl 2 sts to cn andhold to back, k 2, k2 from cn. Whatever the number is, split it between the cable needle and the knitting needle. If the number is uneven, the pattern generally tells you what to do. |
| C4F | sl 2 sts to cn and hold to front, k2, k2 from cn |
| cc | contrasting colour |
| CDD | Centred Double Decrease |
| ch | chain |
| circ(s) | circular needles |
| cm | centimetre |
| cn | cable needle |
| CO | cast on |
| cont | continue, continuing |
| dec | decrease |
| dpn | double pointed needle |
| dr | drop |
| ER | every row |
| EOR | every other row |
| est | established |
| foll | follows, following |
| g | gram(s) |
| in | inch, inches |
| inc | increase |
| k or K | knit stitch |
| k1 f&b | knit 1 through the front leg and the back leg |
| k-b, k1-b | knit stitch in row below |
| k1 tbl, k-b | knit 1 through the back loop |
| k2tog | knit two together |
| k3tog | knit three together |
| kwise, kw | knitwise or ‘as if to knit’ |
| LC | left cross |
| LH | left hand |
| lp(s) | loop(s) |
| m | metres |
| M1, M | make one knit stitch |
| m1 p-st | make one purl stitch |
| MC | main colour |
| meas | measures |
| mm | millimetres |
| oz | ounce(s) |
| p1-b | purl 1 stitch in row below |
| p1 f&b | purl into front and back of same stitch |
| p2tog | purl two together |
| p3tog | purl three together |
| p or P | purl |
| pat(s), patt(s) | pattern(s) |
| pm | place marker |
| pnso | pass next stitch over |
| psso | pass slipped stitch over |
| pu or PU | pick up |
| pwise, pw | purlwise or ‘as if to purl’ |
| RC | right cross |
| rem | remain (as in how many stitches remain) |
| rep | repeat |
| rev St st | reverse stockinette stitch |
| rev sc | reverse single crochet |
| rib | ribbing |
| RH | right hand |
| rnd(s> | rounds |
| RS | right side of fabric |
| s2kp | slip 2 together knitwise, knit 2, pass 2 slipped stitches over |
| sc | single crochet |
| skp | slip one stitch (knitwise), knit one stitch and pass the slipped stitch over |
| sk2p | slip 2, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over |
| sl1 | slip one stitch (purlwise unless otherwise specified) |
| sm | slip marker |
| ssk | slip, slip (slipped knitwise), knit these two stitches together |
| sssk | slip, slip, slip (slipped knitwise) and knit these three stitches together |
| ssp | slip, slip (knitwise), purl these two stitches together |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| st st or St st | stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side |
| tw | twist |
| WS | wrong side of fabric |
| W&t | wrap and turn |
| wyib, yb | with yarn in back or bring yarn to back |
| wyif, yf | with yarn in front or bring yarn to front |
| yd(s) | yard(s) |
| yo | yarn over |
| yo2 | yarn over twice |
| yrn | yarn round needle |
| *…* | repeat the instructions within astrix |
| (…) | alternate measurements or sizes |
| (…), [...] | repeat instructions within brackets as many times as indicated outside of brackets |
Let me know in the comments if you come across any other obscure terms that you would like to see included, or if any of these terms could be better explained!
Noro pattern..please explain “dec. one st at each end of next and 3 foll 4th rows. Hope you can help. Does that mean every row or every right side row. Am using Noro book Unlimited. Thanks D. Weed
I can only guess because I don’t know exactly what pattern you are working with, but if the rs row is row one and three, and ws row is row two and four, then I would decrease on row one, and then on every second wrong side row. I know I’m late… but hopefully that helps someone?