You've found a pattern you love, you've bought the yarn, and you're ready to cast on — and then you look at the instructions and see "k2, p2, yo, ssk, pm, kfb, sl1, psso" and think... what language is this? Don't worry. Knitting abbreviations are like a secret code, and once you know the key, every pattern becomes readable. Let me give you a complete cheat sheet you can bookmark and come back to whenever a pattern throws an unfamiliar abbreviation at you.
Why Do Knitting Patterns Use Abbreviations?
Knitting patterns use abbreviations to save space and make instructions easier to scan. Imagine reading "knit two stitches, purl two stitches, yarn over, slip slip knit" for every single row of a 200-row pattern. Abbreviations let designers write "k2, p2, yo, ssk" instead, which is much faster to read and follow once you know what the letters mean.
Most patterns include an abbreviation key at the beginning, and the abbreviations are fairly standard across designers — though you'll occasionally find small variations (UK vs. US terminology, for example). This cheat sheet covers the abbreviations you'll see most often.
Basic Stitch Abbreviations
These are the foundation stitches you'll find in virtually every pattern:
| Abbreviation | Meaning | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| k | Knit | Insert needle from left to right through the front of the stitch, wrap yarn, pull through |
| p | Purl | Insert needle from right to left through the front of the stitch, wrap yarn, pull through |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) | Refers to individual stitches on your needle |
| CO | Cast on | Create the initial row of stitches on your needle |
| BO | Bind off / Cast off | Remove stitches from the needle to finish your work |
Increase Abbreviations
Increases add stitches to your work, making it wider or creating shaping (like the top of a hat or the bust of a sweater):
| Abbreviation | Meaning | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| kfb | Knit front and back | Knit into the front of a stitch, then knit into the back of the same stitch before sliding it off. Adds one stitch. |
| pfb | Purl front and back | Same as kfb but with a purl. Purl into the front, then the back of the same stitch. |
| M1 | Make one | Lift the horizontal strand between two stitches and knit into it. Adds one stitch. Usually leans left. |
| M1L | Make one left | Lift the strand from front to back, knit through the back loop. Leans left. |
| M1R | Make one right | Lift the strand from back to front, knit through the front loop. Leans right. |
| M1p | Make one purl | Same as M1 but you purl into the lifted strand instead of knitting. |
| inc | Increase | General term for any increase. The pattern should specify which type. |
| yo | Yarn over | Wrap the yarn over the needle to create a deliberate hole (used in lace). Also increases by one stitch. |
Decrease Abbreviations
Decreases remove stitches, creating shaping or tapering:
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| k2tog | Knit two together | Right-leaning decrease |
| p2tog | Purl two together | Right-leaning decrease (purl side) |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit | Left-leaning decrease |
| ssp | Slip, slip, purl | Left-leaning decrease (purl side) |
| sk2p | Slip 1, k2tog, psso | Double decrease (centered) |
| k3tog | Knit three together | Double decrease (right-leaning) |
| sl1-k2tog-psso | Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over | Double decrease (centered, also called s2kp) |
| dec | Decrease | General term. Pattern specifies the type. |
Slip Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| sl or sl1 | Slip stitch | Move a stitch from the left needle to the right without working it. Pattern usually specifies "as if to knit" or "as if to purl." |
| sl1k | Slip one knitwise | Insert needle as if to knit, then slide the stitch over |
| sl1p | Slip one purlwise | Insert needle as if to purl, then slide the stitch over |
| psso | Pass slipped stitch over | Lift a previously slipped stitch over the stitch you just worked (like binding off one stitch). Creates a decrease. |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit | Slip two stitches individually knitwise, then knit them together through the back loops |
Cable Abbreviations
Cables look impressive but the abbreviation system is simple once you know the pattern:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C4F | Cable 4 front: slip 2 to cable needle, hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle |
| C4B | Cable 4 back: slip 2 to cable needle, hold in back, k2, then k2 from cable needle |
| CN | Cable needle |
| T3F | T Twist 3 front: slip 1 to CN, hold front, p2, then k1 from CN |
| T3B | T Twist 3 back: slip 2 to CN, hold back, k1, then p2 from CN |
The number tells you how many total stitches are involved, and the F/B tells you where to hold the cable needle (front = the cable crosses to the left, back = it crosses to the right).
Pattern Instruction Abbreviations
These abbreviations are about reading and following the pattern rather than specific stitches:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| rep | Repeat |
| alt | Alternate |
| beg | Beginning |
| cont | Continue |
| foll | Following |
| pat or patt | Pattern |
| pm | Place marker |
| sm | Slip marker |
| rm | Remove marker |
| RS | Right side (the public-facing side of your work) |
| WS | Wrong side (the inside / private side) |
| WS | Wrong side |
| tog | Together |
| tbl | Through back loop |
| rem | Remaining |
| wyib | With yarn in back |
| wyif | With yarn in front |
| rnd(s) | Round(s) — used for circular knitting |
| dpn(s) | Double-pointed needle(s) |
UK vs. US Terminology
If you're using a British or Australian pattern, some abbreviations differ from US patterns. Here are the most common differences:
| US Term | UK Term |
|---|---|
| Bind off | Cast off |
| Gauge | Tension |
| Yarn over (yo) | Yarn forward (yfwd) |
| Seed stitch | Moss stitch |
| Stockinette | Stocking stitch |
| Reverse stockinette | Reverse stocking stitch |
Modern patterns from major publishers usually follow US terminology, but if you're using a vintage pattern or one from a UK designer, it's worth double-checking these terms.
Tips for Reading Abbreviated Patterns
- Read the abbreviation key first. Every good pattern includes one. Some designers use slightly non-standard abbreviations, so always check.
- Pay attention to numbers. "k2" means knit two stitches. "k2tog" means knit two stitches together — very different things.
- Use a row counter and stitch markers. They help you track where you are, so you can focus on the stitches without losing your place in the pattern.
- Highlight or mark your row. If you're working from a printed pattern, a sticky note below the current row works wonders. On a screen, many apps let you highlight the active row.
- Don't panic. If an abbreviation is unfamiliar, look it up. Every abbreviation is just a shorthand way of saying something you already know how to do (or can learn in about thirty seconds).
Keep This Cheat Sheet Handy
Bookmark this page and come back to it whenever a pattern has you puzzled. After a few projects, most of these abbreviations will be second nature — you'll read "k2, p2, yo, ssk" as naturally as you read this sentence. Every knitter starts by looking up abbreviations constantly, and every experienced knitter still looks up the occasional obscure one. It's all part of the process.
Have questions about a specific abbreviation or pattern instruction? Drop them in the comments or send us a message — we're here to help.