A FREE Guide to the Knitting Abbreviations You Need

When you first begin knitting, reading patterns and charts may be the most challenging aspect. After all, to a novice “K5 yo, k2tog, ssk, knit to end” looks like utter gibberish. But don’t stress — keep this guide close and you’ll be able to decode even the trickiest line.

Common Knitting Abbreviations

bo – bind off

co – cast on

dec – decrease

inc – increase

k2tog – knit two together

k – knit

kfb – knit in the front and back of the same stitch

kwise – knitwise

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 front loop

p2tog – purl two stitches together

p – purl

pfb – purl in the front and back of the same stitch

pwise – purlwise

sl st – slip stitch

ssk – slip two stitches on the right needle and knit them together

ssp – slip two stitches on the right needle and purl them together

st st – stockinette stitch

yo – yarn over

Less Common Knitting Abbreviations

dpn – double pointed needles

k2tog tbl – knit two together through the back loops

ktbl – knit through the back loop

p2tog tbl – purl two together through the back loops

pm – place marker

psso – pass the slip stitch over

ptbl – purl through the back loop

skpo – slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over the knitted one

wyib – with yarn in back

wyif – with yarn in front

Cable Knitting Abbreviations

c2b – slip stitch purlwise to a cable needle and hold that needle in the back of your work, knit the next stitch, then knit the stitch off of the cable needle.

c2f – slip stitch purlwise to a cable needle and hold that needle in front of your work, knit the next stitch, then knit the stitch off of the cable needle.

Common Knitting Abbreviations

Less Common Knitting Abbreviations

Cable Knitting Abbreviations

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