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Knitting Pattern Abbreviations
Knitting patterns traditionally use shortened versions of words to save space on the printed page. This "code" has evolved into part of our knitting language. This list defines the terms used in Makers' Mercantile knitting patterns. Click on the abbreviations shown in RED to watch a related tutorial video.
" |
inch(es) |
alt |
alternate |
approx |
approximately |
beg |
begin/beginning |
BO |
bind off |
cast on |
|
CC |
contrasting color |
circ(s) |
circular(s) |
cm |
centimeters |
cn |
cable needle |
cont |
continue |
cs |
center stitch |
dec |
decreas(e)(ed)(es)(ing)
|
inc |
increase(s)(ed)(ing)
|
knit(ting)(s)(ted) |
|
knit two together |
|
kfb |
knit into front and back of stitch (one stitch increased)
|
LCSK |
Left Cable-Knit-Slip: Move next stitch to cable needle and hold to front of work, knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch (purlwise) from cable needle.
|
LH |
left hand |
LRI |
(left raised increase) - Lift the left leg of the stitch 2 rows below the stitch on right-hand needle and knit it through the back loop (one stitch increased)
|
mkr |
marker |
m1 |
make one (increase)
|
MC |
main color |
mm |
millimeter(s) |
N |
needle - example: N1, N2 = needle one, needle two, and so on.
|
ndl |
needle(s) |
purl(ed)(ing)(s) |
|
patt |
pattern(s) |
purl two stitches together (one stitch decreased)
|
|
pm |
place marker |
psso |
pass slipped stitch over
|
rcsk |
(right cable slip knit) - Right-Cable-Slip-Knit: Move next stitch to cable needle and hold to back of work, slip 1 stitch (purlwise), knit 1 stitch from cable needle.
|
rem |
remain(s)(ing) |
rep |
repeat |
RRI |
(right raised increase) - Lift right leg of the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle onto the left-hand needle and knit it. (one stitch increased)
|
rnd(s) |
round(s) |
RS |
right side |
sl |
slip(ped)(ping) |
slm, sm |
slip marker |
skp |
(slip knit pass) - slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (one stitch decreased)
|
(slip, slip, knit) - WYIB, slip 2 stitches one at a time as if to knit, place back onto LH needle, knit tbl (one stitch decreased)
|
|
ssp |
(slip, slip, purl) - WYIF, slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, place back onto LH needle, purl these 2 sts together (one stitch decreased)
|
sk2p |
(slip, knit 2, pass) - slip one as if to knit, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over the knit 2 together (two stitches decreased)
|
|
|
st(s) |
stitch(es) |
St st |
stockinette stitch |
tfl |
through front of loop(s)
|
tbl |
through back of loop(s)
|
tog |
together |
w&t |
(wrap and turn)
On a RS row: Work to point specified in pattern, bring yarn to front of work between needles, slip next stitch to right-hand needle, bring yarn around this stitch to back of work, slip stitch back to left-hand needle, turn work to begin working back in other direction. On a WS row: Work to point specified in pattern, bring yarn to back of work between needles, slip next stitch to right-hand needle, bring yarn around this stitch to front of work, slip stitch back to left-hand needle, turn work to begin working back in other direction. |
ws |
wrong side |
WYIB |
with yarn in back |
WYIF |
with yarn in front |
yfwd |
yarn forward |
YO |
yarn over |