Knitting Abbreviations And Terms List (US and UK) Free Printable
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.Here, you will find the ultimate knitting abbreviations and terms list, including both US and UK terminology.
When you first read a knitting pattern, you may think that it has been written in another language.
And it has been, to some extent – but it is a simple enough language to understand.
Patterns use abbreviations that are shortened ways of telling you what techniques to do.
Knitting Abbreviations Explained
For example, knit is abbreviated to K, and purl is abbreviated to P.
The letters are often next to a number that will tell you how many stitches you should knit.
For example, K6 means ‘knit six stitches’.
This shorthand makes the patterns shorter and simpler for you to follow.
If the instructions were all written in full, then the patterns would be pages and pages long!
What Is The Difference Between US and UK Knitting Terms?
Once you start to learn how to read knitting patterns (how to read knitting patterns for beginners) and practice knitting techniques, you will become more and more used to the shortened abbreviations.
If you see an abbreviation that you don’t understand, you can check the reference guide below (see the free downloadable PDF of the most common abbreviations at the bottom of this page).
Knitters in the UK and the US use slightly different terms, such as ‘stocking stitch’ in the UK and ‘stockinette stitch’ in the US.
However, the most significant difference is that the US and the UK employ different systems for yarn weights and needle sizes.
Apart from that, the differences are small, so you can use patterns from anywhere!
Knitting Abbreviations And Terms List
If you want to learn more about how to start knitting, please visit this post – How To Knit – A Complete Beginner’s Guide
The list below is a starter guide to common knitting abbreviations and terms.
- There are links to video tutorials for some of the techniques below.
- Download the free PDF at the bottom of this page.
- Take a look at the general terms of the knitting vocabulary below to get started.
1. General
- [ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
- ( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
- * repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
- ** repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed, or repeat from a given set of instructions
- ” inch(es)
- alt – alternate
approx – approximately
2. Pattern Instructions & Repeats
- beg – begin, beginning
- bet – between
- cont – continue
- rem – remain, remaining
- rep(s) – repeat(s)
- foll – follow, follows, following
- sk – skip
- prev – previous
- pat(s) or patt – pattern(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
3. Cast On & Bind Off
- CO – cast on (View Tutorial – How To Cast On Knitting)
- cco – cable cast on
- bo – bind off (View Tutorial – How To Bind Off Knitting For Total Beginners (Cast Off))
4. Stitch Types
- k or K – knit (View Tutorial – How To Knit Garter Stitch For Beginners (Tutorial))
- p or P – purl (View Tutorial – How To Knit The Purl Stitch (For Beginners + A Video Tutorial))
- ktbl – knitting through the back loop
k1b – knit one below (View Tutorial – How To Knit One Below (K1B Tutorial + Video) - p1b – purl one below
- p tbl – purl through the back loop
- kwise – knitwise
- pwise – purlwise
- tbl – through back loop (View Tutorial – What Is TBL In Knitting? (Knit Through The Back Loop))
- tfl – knit through the front and back loops
- yo – yarn over (View Tutorial – How To Knit A Yarn Over (YO) + A Video Tutorial)
- yf / yfwd – yarn forward
- yrn – yarn around needle
- yon – yarn over needle
- lp(s) – loop(s)
5. Increases
- inc – increase, increases, increasing (View Tutorial – How To Increase Stitches In Knitting (Tutorial))
- f&b – knit one front and back
- k1fb / kfb – knit one front and back; a single-stitch increase (View Tutorial – KFB knitting – How To Make An increase)
- M1 – make one stitch
- m1a – make one away increase
- m1L – make one left; left-slanting, single-stitch increase
- m1R – make one right; right-slanting, single-stitch increase
- M1 p-st – make one purl stitch
- rli – right lifted increase
- incl – knitting into the stitch below
6. Decreases
- dec – decrease, decreases, decreasing (View Tutorial – How To Decrease Knitting (6 Ways))
- k2tog – knit the next two stitches together (View Tutorial – How To Knit Two Stitches Together (K2tog))
- p2tog – purl the next two stitches together
- p2tog tbl – purl two together through the back loops (aka ssp)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit
- sssk – slip, slip, slip, knit
- ssp – slip, slip, purl
- skp – slip, knit, pass stitch over
- sk2p – slip 1, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over
- sl1, k1, ppso – slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
- s2kp – slip 2 together knitwise, k1, pass slipped stitches over
- psso – pass slipped stitch over (View Tutorial – How To PSSO In Knitting (Pass Slipped Stitch Over))
7. Cable & Texture Stitches
- cable – a decorative stitch that looks like a twisted rope or braid
- cdd – centered double decrease
- lc – the left cross
- rc – the right cross
- LT – Left twist
- RT – Right twist
- Rib – Knit one, Purl one (View Tutorial – How To Knit Rib Stitch Patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing))
- St st – stocking stitch (View Tutorial – How To Knit Stockinette Stitch (For Beginners))
- rev St st – reverse stockinette stitch
- g st – garter stitch
- pop – popcorn
- mb – make bobble
8. Slip Stitches
- sl – slip
- sl st – slip stitch (View Tutorial – Slip Stitch Knitting (How To Slip Knit Stitches))
- sl1k – slip one knitwise
- sl1p – slip one purlwise
- ss – slip stitch
9. Pick Up & Join
- pu / puk – pick up and knit (View Tutorial – How To Pick Up And Knit Stitches)
- Kitchener stitch – grafting live stitches together
10. Short Rows
- w&t / w+t – wrap and turn (View Tutorial – How To Knit Short Rows (Wrap and Turn))
11. Brioche Stitches
- bk2tog – brioche knit two together; knit next knit stitch together with its paired yarnover
- bk3tog – right-slanting brioche decrease
- bp2tog – brioche purl two together
- bsk2p – left-slanting brioche decrease
12. Yarn & Color References
- MC – main color
- CC – contrast color
13. Tools & Accessories
- dpn – double pointed needles
- LH / RH – left hand / right hand
- lh needle– left-hand needle
- rh needle – right hand needle
- cn – cable needle (View an informational post here – 7 Best Cable Knitting Needles You Need In Your Kit)
- pm – place marker (View an informational post here – What Are Stitch Markers? (Must Have Knitting Tools))
- sm – slip marker
14. Measurements
- cm – centimeter(s)
- mm – millimeter(s)
- m – meter(s)
- g – gram(s)
- oz – ounce(s)
- yd(s) – yard(s)
- ” – inch(es)
Free Printable
If you’re new to knitting or just need a quick refresher, this list of common knitting abbreviations will help you read patterns with confidence.
From basic stitches to more advanced techniques, having a handy reference makes all the difference.
To make things even easier, I’ve created a free printable version of the abbreviations you can download and keep by your side while you knit!
Knitting Abbreviations And Terms List
How to Use This Knitting Abbreviations List:
Keep this printable chart nearby as you follow patterns—it’s perfect for quick reference while knitting.
Whether you're decoding a new stitch or brushing up on old techniques, this guide will help you understand common knitting terms and abbreviations with ease.
Materials
- Yarn
- Your latest knitting pattern
Tools
- Needles
Instructions
1. General
- [ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
- ( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
- * repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
- ** repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
- ” inch(es)
- alt – alternateapprox – approximately
2. Pattern Instructions & Repeats
- beg – begin, beginning
- bet – between
- cont – continue
- rem – remain, remaining
- rep(s) – repeat(s)
- foll – follow, follows, following
- sk – skip
- prev – previous
- pat(s) or patt – pattern(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
3. Cast On & Bind Off
- CO – cast on
- cco – cable cast on
- bo – bind off
4. Stitch Types
- k or K – knit
- p or P – purl
- ktbl – knitting through the back loop
- k1b – knit one below
- p1b – purl one below
- p tbl – purl through the back loop
- kwise – knitwise
- pwise – purlwise
- tbl – through back loop
- tfl – knit through the front and back loops
- yo – yarn over
- yf / yfwd – yarn forward
- yrn – yarn around needle
- yon – yarn over needle
- lp(s) – loop(s)
5. Increases
- inc – increase, increases, increasing
- f&b – knit one front and back
- k1fb / kfb – knit one front and back; a single-stitch increase
- M1 – make one stitch
- m1a – make one away increase
- m1L – make one left; left-slanting, single-stitch increase
- m1R – make one right; right-slanting, single-stitch increase
- M1 p-st – make one purl stitch
- rli – right lifted increase
- incl – knitting into the stitch below
6. Decreases
- dec – decrease, decreases, decreasing
- k2tog – knit the next two stitches together
- p2tog – purl the next two stitches together
- p2tog tbl – purl two together through the back loops (aka ssp)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit
- sssk – slip, slip, slip, knit
- ssp – slip, slip, purl
- skp – slip, knit, pass stitch over
- sk2p – slip 1, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over
- sl1, k1, ppso – slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
- s2kp – slip 2 together knitwise, k1, pass slipped stitches over
- psso – pass slipped stitch over
7. Cable & Texture Stitches
- cable – a decorative stitch that looks like a twisted rope or braid
- cdd – centered double decrease
- lc – the left cross
- rc – the right cross
- LT – Left twist
- RT – Right twist
- Rib – Knit 1, Purl 1
- St st – stocking stitch
- rev St st – reverse stockinette stitch
- g st – garter stitch
- pop – popcorn
- mb – make bobble
8. Slip Stitches
- sl – slip
- sl st – slip stitch
- sl1k – slip one knitwise
- sl1p – slip one purlwise
- ss – slip stitch
9. Pick Up & Join
- pu / puk – pick up and knit
- Kitchener stitch – grafting live stitches together
10. Short Rows
- w&t / w+t – wrap and turn
11. Brioche Stitches
- bk2tog – brioche knit two together; knit next knit stitch together with its paired yarnover
- bk3tog – right-slanting brioche decrease
- bp2tog – brioche purl two together
- bsk2p – left-slanting brioche decrease
12. Yarn & Color References
- MC – main color
- CC – contrast color
13. Tools & Accessories
- dpn – double pointed needles
- LH / RH – left hand / right hand
- lh needle– left-hand needle
- rh needle – right hand needle
- cn – cable needle
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
14. Measurements
- cm – centimeter(s)
- mm – millimeter(s)
- m – meter(s)
- g – gram(s)
- oz – ounce(s)
- yd(s) – yard(s)
- ” – inch(es)
Notes
The list is a starter guide to common knitting abbreviations and terms.
- There are links to video tutorials for some of the techniques below.
- Take a look at the general terms of the knitting vocabulary below to get started.
FAQs
If abbreviations were not used in patterns, they would be really long.
Having the abbreviations makes things more condensed and easier for all knitters to follow.
A knitting chart is a visual representation of a knitting pattern, where each square on the grid represents a stitch, and symbols indicate what type of stitch to work (like knit, purl, or cable).
Charts are especially helpful for lace, colorwork, and cable patterns, as they show how the design looks as it builds row by row.
They’re typically read right to left on right-side rows and left to right on wrong-side rows when working flat, or always right to left in the round.
Knitting charts are a great alternative to written instructions, making complex stitch patterns easier to follow at a glance.
Related Post: How To Read A Knitting Chart
K2tog is a knitting abbreviation that means you should knit the next two stitches together. This is a decrease.
RS means right side, and WS means wrong side.
You will see this in your pattern instructions referring to the right side of your work (normally the front of the work) and the wrong side of your work (normally the back of the work).
K1, P1 is a form of simple ribbing also known as 1×1 ribbing. You knit one stitch, purl one stitch, and repeat to the end of the row.
They are both ways to decrease.
K2tog means to knit the next two stitches together and is a right leaning decrease.
SSK means slip slip knit and is a left leaning decrease.
SS in knitting means to slip stitch(es). To slip a stitch, the next stitch or knit slipped stitches together.
KFB is the knitting abbreviation for knitting into the front and back of the next stitch.
This is to make an increase in the work. It works best in garter stitch as the new stitch is not easily seen in the knitted fabric.
There are two main types of knitting styles: English (throwing) and Continental (picking), which differ in how the yarn is held and worked.
Beyond these, there are other methods like Portuguese, Lever (Irish Cottage), and Combination knitting, each offering unique advantages in speed or ergonomics.
Knitting can also be done flat or in the round, and includes creative variations like double knitting, loom knitting, and arm knitting.
So while the basics come down to just a couple of core styles, there are many ways to knit depending on the technique, tools, and tradition.
Related Post: Continental VS English Knitting (A Beginner’s Guide)
“tog tbl” stands for “together through the back loop” in knitting.
It’s a type of decrease where you knit (or purl) two or more stitches together, but instead of inserting the needle through the front loops, you go through the back loops.
Example:
k2tog tbl = knit two together through the back loops
p2tog tbl = purl two together through the back loops
It’s commonly found in lace knitting or fitted garments for a more refined finish.
In knitting, frogging means ripping out your stitches to undo part—or all—of your work. The term comes from the playful phrase “rip it, rip it,” which sounds like a frog’s “ribbit.”
You might frog your knitting if you made a mistake, want to change something in the pattern, or need to reuse the yarn.
Frogging involves carefully pulling the working yarn out, stitch by stitch, until you reach the row or point you want to fix.
In knitting terminology, DPNs stand for Double-Pointed Needles.
These are a set of typically 4 or 5 short needles with points at both ends, used for knitting in the round on small circumferences.
Related Post: The Best Double-Pointed Knitting Needles – A Guide)
“Knit every round” means that you should knit all the stitches in every round without purling—typically when you’re working in the round (using circular or double-pointed needles).
In knitting, a row refers to a line of stitches worked back and forth in flat knitting, where you turn your work at the end of each row.
In contrast, a round is used in circular knitting and involves working stitches continuously in a loop without turning your work, creating a seamless tube.
The key difference is that rows are back-and-forth, while rounds are circular and always worked from the right side.
Related Post: How To Join Knitting In The Round With Circular Knitting Needles
A slip knot is the very first loop you make when beginning a knitting or crochet project, and it’s used to secure the yarn onto your needle or hook. It’s called a “slip” knot because it can easily be adjusted, tightened, or loosened by pulling on the working yarn.
This knot forms the foundation for your cast-on stitches in knitting or your foundation chain in crochet.
It’s quick to make and essential for getting started, providing a stable yet flexible starting point that won’t come undone as you begin your project.
Yarn is the primary material of knitting.
Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn strand, which directly affects the look, drape, and gauge of your knitting or crochet project.
It ranges from lace weight (very fine) to super bulky (very thick), with popular categories like fingering, DK (double knitting), worsted weight, and bulky in between.
Yarn weight is crucial when choosing patterns, as it determines needle size, stitch definition, and overall fabric texture.
Yarn can be made from various materials such as wool, cotton, acrylic, alpaca, or blends, and each behaves differently depending on its weight and fiber content.
Related post: Yarn Weight Guide (+ Yarn Conversion Chart)
Warp knitting is a type of knitting where each needle loops its own thread, creating fabric by forming stitches in parallel vertical rows (called warps).
Unlike weft knitting, where a single yarn feeds horizontally across rows, warp knitting uses multiple yarns at once, each feeding in a vertical direction.
This method is usually done on a machine (not by hand) and is commonly used in industrial applications.
No, you don’t have to memorize all the knitting abbreviations to enjoy your projects.
Most patterns include a key or glossary at the beginning that explains the specific abbreviations used, so you can easily refer to it as you go.
If a pattern doesn’t provide one, you can keep a printable abbreviation chart nearby for quick reference.
Over time, as you work on more projects, you’ll start to recognize the most common terms like k2tog, purl, or yo without even thinking about them, just like learning a new language through practice!
Knitting Lessons
If you are learning how to knit, check out more free how-to resources here: Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).
There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know.
For extra help and to connect with fellow knitters, check out the Handylittleme Facebook knitting group.
If you also love to crochet, check out easy patterns here – Free Crochet Patterns
You can also find us on social media platforms, including Ravelry, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Etsy, and TikTok.
More Knitting Tutorials
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Cast off knitting methods
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- The mattress stitch – how to seam knitting
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