The Complete List of Knitting Abbreviations and Terms

Here’s a complete list of knitting abbreviations and terms that are useful to know when reading knitting patterns.

Most knitting designers will include knitting abbreviations in their pattern. What they may not do is explain what the knitting instructions mean. As a knitter, it’s important to be familiar with this style of shorthand writing in case you have to make your own interpretation.

This isn’t the only reason why you should be aware of knitting abbreviations and terms though. Let's take a minute to discuss why knitting terms and abbreviations are used in the first place and why you should know them.

Why Knitting Abbreviations and Terms Are Used

The more you knit, the more you’ll realize that knitting abbreviations are used in knitting patterns for a lot of different reasons. For one, designers will sometimes use them to condense the knitting pattern instructions in order to save space. Using knitting abbreviations can sometimes make a five page pattern fit onto a single sheet of paper. Personally, this is a pet peeve of mine, but that's neither here nor there. Back to the task at hand.

Another reason knitting abbreviations are used is to make the knitting pattern easier to read. The more you read and use this style of shorthand, the quicker and easier the pattern instructions are to read.

In other words, by using knitting abbreviations, you can do a quick scan instead of a close read. This means you can reduce your focus on reading and focus more on your knitting. Inevitably, this always leads to faster knitting. All good things, really.

Finally, if you aspire to become a knitting designer, it certainly helps to know the correct knitting terminology, especially the standardized version.

Let's talk a little about knitting industry standards before jumping into the knitting terms and abbreviations.

Knitting Industry Standard

This list includes commonly used knitting abbreviations and terms that are considered the knitting industry standard according to The Craft Yarn Council (CYC).

You will find this list includes the knitting terminology U.S. knitters use. However, to make this a more complete list, I’ve also included some regional variations as well.

Additionally, some knitting abbreviations and terms included here which are not mentioned in the CYC’s industry standard list. In most cases, these knitting abbreviations are compound terms that are worth mentioning for clarity.

Finally, I’ve separated the knitting abbreviations and knitting terms into their respective sections. You’ll find knitting tutorials for most and/or additional links to reference materials for expanding your knowledge further.

Alright, let’s jump right in.

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Knitting Abbreviations and Terms

alt

Alternate.

approx

Approximately.

beg

Beginning.

bet

Between.

BO

Bind off. This knitting tutorial shows you how to bind off your knitting.

* Also known as Cast Off in Canada and the UK.

BOR

Beginning of round.

* This knitting term is not a standard abbreviation but is used frequently in circular knitting patterns.

Learn more about circular knitting needles and how to knit in the round.

byo

Backward yarn over; single knit increase.

* Also known as a reverse yarn over.

C2L

Cable two (2) left. Left cross cables hold the stitches in front of the work. To make a C2L, slip 1 stitch purlwise to your cable needle and move it to the front of your knitting. Work the next stitch, then knit or purl the stitch on your cable needle.

* Also written as Cross 2 Left, 1/1 LC, and Cable 2 Front (C2F).

This video tutorial shows you how to C2L.

C4L

Cable four left is a 2x2 cable knit. With left cross cables, hold the stitches in front of the work. To make the C4L, slip 2 stitches purlwise to your cable needle and hold them in front of your knitting. Knit or purl the next 2 sts, then work the stitches on the cable needle. 

* Also written as Cross 4 Left, 2/2 LC, and Cable 4 Front (C4F).

C2R

Cable two (2) right. Right cross cables hold the stitches to the back of the knitting. To make a C2R, slip 1 stitch onto your cable needle purlwise and move it behind your knitting. Work the next stitch, then knit or purl the stitch on your cable needle. 

* Also written as Cross 2 Right, 1/1 RC, and Cable 2 Back (C2B).

Learn how to C2R with this video tutorial.

C4R

Cable four right is a 2x2 cable knit. With right cross cables, you’ll hold the stitches in back of the work. To make the C4R, slip 2 stitches purlwise to your cable needle and hold them behind your knitting. Knit or purl the next 2 sts, then work the stitches on the cable needle. 

* Also written as Cross 4 Left, 2/2 LC, and Cable 4 Front (C4F).

CC

Contrasting color/colour. You’ll find this knitting term used in patterns with stranded colorwork, mosaic knitting, slipped stitches, and others.

cn

Cable needle. Learn about the different types of knitting needles.

CO

Cast on. Most knitting patterns will indicate which type of cast on to use. If a pattern does not, you may choose your favorite method.

Two of the most common cast on types are the long tail cast on and the knitted cast on. These knitting tutorials will show you how to cast on your knitting stitches to get started.

cont

Continue.

dec(s)

Decrease or decreases. Some patterns simply instruct to decrease but leave it up to the discretion of the knitter to choose which knitting decrease they’d like to use.

dpn/dpns

Double pointed needle(s).
These are used for knitting small circumferences in the round. They're usually found in sets of 5 needles per size.

EON

End of needle.

EOR

End of row.

foll

Follow.

G

Garter stitch.

Learn how to knit garter stitch here.

inc(s)

Increase or increases. Some patterns simply indicate that an increase is needed but leave it up to the discretion of the knitter to choose which knitting increase they’d prefer to use.

K

Knit or knit stitch.
Sometimes used in written instructions intended for the entire row. For example, Row 1: K to end.

Learn how to knit here.

K1B

Knit one stitch below.

KBF

Knit into the back, then the front of one stitch; single knit increase.

* More commonly found in Eastern (e.g. Russian) knitting patterns.

Here's a tutorial on how to knit the KBF.

KFB / K1 F&B

Knit into front and back of one stitch; single knit increase.

* Also known as a Bar Increase because it leaves a noticeable bar.

Here's how to knit front and back (KFB).

KSP

Knit one, slip this stitch back to left needle, pass the 2nd stitch on left needle over the first stitch, then move this stitch back to right needle; single, right leaning knitting decrease (R/).

* Also known as KSPO and KSPSSO.

KTBL

Knit through back loop.

Some knitting abbreviations or terms are compounds of other abbreviations but are not mentioned in the standard list. The KTBL is one such example: K (knit) and TBL (through back loop).

K2TOG

Knit two stitches together; single, right leaning decrease (R/).

Here's how to knit two together.

K2TOG TBL

Knit two stitches together through the back loop; single, left leaning decrease (L\).

K3TOG

Knit three stitches together; right leaning double decrease (R/).

* Also written as k3tog centered or as center double decrease.
** This knitting term is not a standard abbreviation but it's used frequently in lace knitting patterns.

K3TOG TBL

Knit three stitches together through the back loops; left leaning double decrease (L\).

Kwise

Knitwise.

* Also written as kw in some patterns. Kwise is the standard, though.

LC

Left cross; left leaning cable, stitches held in front.

LLI

Left lifted increase.

* This knitting term is not a standard abbreviation but is used occasionally in knitting patterns. This type of increase is not as frequently used as other increases.

lp

Loop.

LTCO

Long tail cast on. This cast on method is one of the most commonly used as it creates a stretchy cast on. 

Here's how to long tail cast on.

m

(Stitch) marker. Here's what you need to know about stitch markers.

M1 or M1K

Make one stitch knitwise.

Sometimes you will find a knitting pattern which doesn't state the type of knitting increase to make. The knitting instructions may simply say: M1.

In this case, you may choose to work either the M1L or the M1R as mentioned below.

M1L

Make one left; single, left leaning increase (L\).

M1LP

Make one left purlwise; single, left leaning purl increase (L\).

M1P

Make one purlwise. The same rules apply to knitting the M1P as mentioned in the M1K above.

M1R

Make one right; single, right leaning increase (R/). This knitting tutorial video shows you how to M1L and M1R.

M1RP

Make one right purlwise; single, right leaning purl increase (R/).

MB

Make bobble.

MC

Main color/colour. You’ll find this knitting term used in patterns that use colorwork knitting which may or may not involve stranded knitting.

P

Purl or purl stitch.
Sometimes used in written instructions intended for the entire row (or round). For example, Row 1: P across.

Here's how to purl stitch.

pat or patt

Pattern.

PFB

Purl into front and back of same stitch; single purl increase.

* Also known as a purled bar increase because it leaves a small bar in your knitting.

pm

Place (stitch) marker.

PTBL

Purl through back loop.

* This knitting term is not a standard abbreviation and is used occasionally in knitting patterns.

P2TOG

Purl two together; single, right leaning decrease (R/).

P2TOG TBL

Purl two stitches together through the back loop; single, left leaning decrease (L\).

P3TOG

Purl three stitches together; right leaning double decrease (R/).

* This knitting term is not a standard abbreviation but is used often in knitting patterns.

P3TOG TBL

Purl three stitches together through the back loops; left leaning double decrease (L\).

prev

Previous.

PSSO

Pass slipped stitch over.

P2SSO

Pass two slipped stitches over.

PU

Pick up stitches.

* Also written as P/U. Not to be confused with “pick up and knit”. See below.

PUK or PU/K

Pick up and knit stitches.

Learn the difference between "picking up stitches" and "picking up stitches and knitting".

pwise

Purlwise.

* Also written as pw in some patterns. Pwise is the standard, though.

R

Row or round.

* This is not a standard knitting abbreviation but it is used frequently in knitting patterns.

RC

Right cross; right leaning cable, stitches held in back.

rem

Remaining.

rep

Repeat.

Rev St st

Reverse stockinette stitch.

RLI

Right lifted increase.

* This knitting term is not a standard abbreviation but is used occasionally in knitting patterns. This type of increase is not as frequently used as other increases.

Rnd

Round. Used in circular knitting to indicate each line of instructions. For example, R1: K1, P1, etc.

Learn how to cast on in the round.

SK

Skip.

SKP

Slip one stitch knitwise, knit one, pass slipped stitch over knit stitch; single, left leaning decrease (L\). This knitting tutorial shows you how to knit the SKP.

* Also known as SKPO and SKPSSO.

SK2P

Slip one stitch knitwise, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over k2tog decrease; left leaning double decrease (L\).

Sl

Slip.

Sl1K

Slip one stitch knitwise.

Learn how to slip a stitch here.

Sl1P

Slip one stitch purlwise.

Sl St

Slip one stitch without working it. Commonly used in cables, knitting decreases, mosaic knitting, and more. If the pattern doesn't give instructions on how to slip the stitch, slip it purlwise. Slipping a stitch knitwise will twist the stitch. See what you can knit with slipped stitches here.

* Also known as ss (slip stitch) in Canada.

sm

Slip marker.

SSK

Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time, knit these two stitches together through back loops; single, left leaning decrease (L\).

Here's a knitting tutorial to show you how to knit the SSK decrease.

SSP

Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time, return both stitches to left needle, purl them together through back loops; single, left leaning decrease (L\).

SSSK

Slip three stitches knitwise, move them back to left needle, knit all three stitches together through back loops; left leaning double decrease (L\).

SSSP

Slip three stitches knitwise, move them back to left needle, purl all three stitches together through back loops; left leaning double decrease (L\).

S2KP2

Slip two stitches together as if to knit, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over knit stitch; center double decrease. Here's how to knit this decrease.

* Also seen written as center double decrease (CDD) and S2KPSSO.

SSPP2

Slip 2 stitches knitwise, one at a time, move them back to left needle, then slip them as if to p2tog through back loops, purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over purl stitch; centered double decrease (CDD).

st(s)

Stitch or stitches.

St st

Stockinette stitch. Learn how to knit stockinette stitch.

* Also known as stocking stitch in the UK.

tbl

Through back loop.

tfl

Through front loop.

tog

Together.

w&t

Wrap and turn (short rows).
Learn more about knitting wrap and turn short rows here.

wyib

With yarn in back.

wyif

With yarn in front.

yb

Yarn back. Sometimes written as YBK, but this may be regional.

yfwd or yf

Yarn forward.

yo

Yarn over; single increase. The yarn over creates an intentional hole in your knitting. It's used most often in lace knitting patterns.

YO2

Yarn over twice; creates an even larger hole in your knitting.

* This abbreviation is sometimes seen written as DYO, though it's less common.

yon

Yarn over needle.

yrn

Yarn round needle.

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Knitting Terms

Bavarian Twisted Stitches

A style of knitting that originated in Germany. This technique features intricate, intentionally twisted stitches which travel across the knitting fabric. The knitter may choose to use a cable needle, but Bavarian twisted stitches are NOT considered cable knits.

* Also known as Austrian Traveling Stitch and Bavarian Traveling Stitch.

You can learn more about these Twisted Stitches here.

Break (the) Yarn

This means to sever the yarn from the project and leave a yarn tail. It can be done two ways. The first way uses scissors to cut the yarn. The second way requires you to physically snap the yarn ply/plies with your hands. This works better with natural fibers, but can be done with most yarn fibers.

Cable

A method of holding stitches to the front or back of your work, knitting them out sequence, to create raised designs that look like cables, twists, or plaits.

Also used as knitting instruction. For example, Cable 2 Right (C2R) or Cable 2 Left (C2L).

LH

Left hand.

RH

Right hand.

RS

Right side.

WS

Wrong side.

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