Learn what common knitting abbreviations mean with easy explanations for each term. Great for both beginners and experienced knitters.
When you’re just starting to knit, understanding patterns and charts can be the hardest part. For beginners, something like “K5 yo, k2tog, ssk, knit to end” can seem like a confusing code. But don’t worry — keep this Knitting Abbreviations guide handy, and you’ll learn how to read even the most complicated instructions.
Common Knitting Abbreviations
bo – bind off
co – cast on
dec – decrease
inc – increase
k2tog – knit two together
k – knit
kfb – Knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch to make one extra stitch.
kwise – Insert your needle as if you’re going to knit the stitch (knitwise).
M1L – Make a new stitch by picking up the yarn between two stitches and knitting into the back of it.
M1R – Make a new stitch by picking up the yarn between two stitches and knitting into the front of it.
p2tog – Purl two stitches together as if they were one.
p – Purl one stitch.
pfb – Purl into the front and then the back of the same stitch to make one extra stitch.
pwise – purlwise
sl st – Slip a stitch from one needle to the other without knitting or purling it.
ssk – Slip two stitches one by one, then knit them together through the back loops.
ssp – Slip two stitches one by one, then purl them together through the back loops.
st st – Stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next, and repeat).
Yo – Yarn over: wrap the yarn close to your needle to make a new stitch or a hole.
Cable Knitting Abbreviations
c2b – Slip one stitch onto a cable needle and hold it at the back. Knit the next stitch, then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
c2f – Slip one stitch onto a cable needle and hold it at the front. Knit the next stitch, then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
Less Common Knitting Abbreviations
dpn – Short needles with points on both ends, used for knitting small round things like socks.
k2tog tbl – Knit two stitches together through the back part of the loops.
ktbl – Knit into the back of one stitch instead of the front.
p2tog tbl – Purl two stitches together via the back part of the loops.
pm – Put a marker on your needle to help keep track of where you are.
psso – Take the stitch you slipped earlier and pull it over the stitch you just knit.
ptbl – Purl into the back of one stitch instead of the front.
skpo – Slip one stitch, knit the next, then pull the slipped stitch through the one you just knit.
wyib – Hold the yarn at the back of your work while you knit.
wyif – Hold the yarn at the front of your work while you purl or slip a stitch.
