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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

CO

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)

k or K

knit(ting)(s)(ted)

K2tog

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)

p or P

purl(ed)(ing)(s)

patt

pattern(s)

p2tog

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)

ssk

(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