Quick answer: PM = place marker. Slide a ring marker onto your needle at that point. When you reach it next row, slip it to the right needle without removing it (that's SM — slip marker).
What it means
PM stands for place marker. It's an instruction to add a ring marker to your needle at the specified position. Markers help track pattern repeats, shaping points, and section boundaries.
Related abbreviations
- PM — place marker (add the marker here)
- SM — slip marker (slide it to the right needle and keep knitting)
- RM — remove marker (take the marker off entirely)
How to use it
- When you reach the PM instruction, slide a ring marker onto your right needle.
- Continue the row.
- When you reach the marker again, slide it from left to right needle without working into it (SM).
- If the pattern says RM, remove the marker and continue.
Common mistakes
- Knitting through the marker — it should slide freely, never be worked as a stitch
- Using identical markers for different sections — use different colours
- Knitting past the marker — you'll lose your place in the repeat