Common Knitting Abbreviations


A

approx = approximately

B

beg = begin or beginning
bet = between
BO = bind off

C

CA = color A
CB = color B
CC = contrasting color
ch = chain
cm = centimeters
cn = cable needle
CO = cast on
cont = continue

D

dec = decrease
dpn = double pointed needles

E

ea = each
eor = every other row
est = established

F

fl = front loop
foll = follow

G

g = grams
g st = garter stitch
grp = groups

I

in = inches
inc = increase

K

k = knit
k1b = knit 1 in back loop of stitch
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
kwise = knitwise

L

LH = left hand
lp = loop

M

MC = main color
m = meters
M1 = make one stitch
M1 p-st = make one purl stitch
mm = millimeters
meas = measures

N

ndl = needle

O

oz = ounces

P

p = purl
p1b = purl 1 in back loop of stitch
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
pfb = purl into front and back of stitch
pm = placemaker
pop = popcorn
prev = previous
psso = pass slipped stitch over
pwise = purlwise

R

rem = remain
rep = repeat
rev St st = reverse stockinette stitch
rib = ribbing
RH = right hand
rnd = round
RS = right side

S

sk = skip
skp = slip, knit, pass stitch over - one stitch decreased
sk2p = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased
sl = slip
sl1k = slip 1 knitwise
sl1p = slip 1 purlwise
sl st = slip stitch
sp = space
ss = slip stitch (Canadian)
ssk = slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together - a decrease
sssk = slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together
st = stitch
St st = stockinette stitch / stocking stitch

T

tbl = through back loop
tog = together

W

WS = wrong side
wyib = with yarn in back
wyif = with yarn in front

Y

yd = yard
yfwd = yard forward
yb = yarn to the back
yf = yarn to the front
yo = yarn over
yo2 = yarn over twice
yrn = yarn around needle
yon = yarn over needle