Knitting Abbreviations
Have you ever wondered about knitting abbreviations? If you do not knit, chances are you have not. Chances are that you never even knew that knitting abbreviations exist! However, there are at least a hundred of them. If you can think of a word, you can think of an abbreviation to go along with it. Of course, that does not mean that everyone else will understand you. Therefore, knowing the standard abbreviations of any discipline, including knitting, will help you to communicate better in the field. Eventually, better communication can certainly lead to better productivity and increased skills levels.
Knitting Abbreviations
As aforementioned, quite a number of knitting abbreviations exist. The best way to list this plethora of abbreviations is in alphabetical order. Therefore, at least some sort of order will be imposed on the terms, making them more easy to understand and to remember.
A-F
- alt (alternate)
- beg (beginning)
- bet (between)
- BO (bind off)
- CA (color A)
- CB (color B)
- CC (contrasting color)
- cdd (centered double decrease)
- ch (chain)
- cn (cable needing)
- CO (cast on)
- cross 2 L (cross two stitches to the left)
- cross 2 R (cross two stitches to the right)
- dc (double crochet)
- DK (double knitting weight yarn)
- dpn (double pointed needles)
- EON (end of needle)
- EOR (end of row)
- FC (front cross)
- fl (front loop)
G-L
- g st (garter stitch)
- grp (group)
- hdc (half double crotchet)
- hk (hook)
- inc (increase)
- k (knit)
- k tbl (knit stitch through back loop)
- k-b (knit stitch in row below)
- k-wise (knit-wise)
- k2tog (knit two stitches together)
- k2tog tbl (knit two stitches together, through the back loops)
- kll (knit left loop)
- krl (knit right loop)
- LC (left cross)
- LH (left hand)
- lp (loop)
- LT (left twist)
M-R
- M1 (make one)
- M1A (make one away)
- M1T (make one towards)
- MB (make bobble)
- mc (main color)
- p (purl)
- p tbl (pull through back loop)
- p-b (purl stitch in the row below)
- p-wise (purl wise)
- p1 f&b (purl the front of the stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch)
- p2tog (pull together)
- p2tog tbl (pull two together through the back loops)
- patt (pattern)
- pm (place marker)
- pnso (pass next stitch over)
- pop (popcorn stitch)
- psso (pass the slipped stitch over)
- pu (pick up stitches)
- RC (right cross)
- rem (remaining)
- RH (right land)
- rib (ribbing)
- rnd (round)
- RS (right side)
- RT (right twist)
S-X
- sc (single crotchet)
- sk (skip)
- sk2p (slip one, knot two, pass slipped stitch over)
- SKP (slit, knit, pass)
- sl (slip a stitch)
- sl st (slip stitches)
- sl1k (slip a stitch knit-wise)
- sl1p (slip a stitch purl-wise)
- slip knot (an adjustable loop)
- sp (space)
- ss (slip stitch)
- ssk (slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together)
- ssp (slip, slip, purl)
- sssk (slip, slip, slip, knit three slipped stitches together)
- st (stitch)
- won (wool over needle)
- wrn (wool round needle)
- ws (wrong side)
- wyib (with yarn in back)
- wyif (with yard in front)
Y-Z
- yb (yarn to the back)
- yfon (yarn forward and over needle)
- yfrn (yard forward and round needle)
- yfwd (yarn forward)
- yo2 (yarn over twice)
- yon (yarn over needle)
Other Symbols
- [] (repeat instructions between brackets as much as required)
- () (repeat instructions in paranthesis as required)
- * (repeat instructions following the asterik as needed)
- ** (repeat instructions between asteriks as needed)
Importance
So why are all of these knitting abbreviations really all that important? Because no one could possibly be fully engaged in the process of knitting without knowing them, especially if he or she was learning from a manual, or engaging in some sort of advanced class. Learning the lingo of a discipline will help to keep individuals up to pace with the current language of the art.