Knitting Terminology / Abbreviations
Terminology
Symbols
Abbreviations
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Introduction
After seeing this page you might feel overwhelmed and are maybe thinking knitting is too complicated. Don't worry too much. It's not actually that complicated once you know how to do it. We will do our best to setup learning events that show you actually how easy it is so don't let the long list of terms, symbols and abbreviations discourage you.
Terminology
Bind Off: When you’re at the last row, knit two stitches to bind off. Slip the 1st stitch on top of the 2nd stich. Repeat this until there you have one stitch left. Cut the yarn and tuck it into your last stitch.
Cast On: Casting on means creating your 1st stitch. Create a loop over your left hand needle then place the right hand needle through the loop. After that, pass your yarn over then under the right hand needle through the loop to your left hand needle.
Crochet: Crochet also uses makes use of yarn and uses a hooked needle to create a more tight situation
Gauge: A gauge shows how many stitches / rows there are per inch (mm)
Eyelet: Decorative edge for knitting projects that have small holes.
Knitting Needles: There are three types of knitting needles. (A) Pin Style Needles (B) Double Pointed Needles (C) Circular Needles.
Knit Stitch: This is the most basic stich. The left hand needle goes in front of the right hand needle to effect the transfer a stitch.
Moss Stitch: This is the switching action between the knit stitch and the purl stitch in a row.
Popcorn Stitch: A bobble on the surface of your knitting project.
Purl Stitch: This is a backward stitch and sees the right hand needle placed in front of the left hand needle.
Rib Stitch: Alternate the stitches between rows to create a contrast.
Skein: Collapsible yarn coil.
Slip Stitch: When you transfer a stitch between two needles without adding yarn in the slip stitch.
Slip Knot: Adjustable loop used for casting
Some Knitting Symbols
A few of the basic symbols
[] – Repeat actions between these brackets as much as needed
() – Repeat actions in parentheses as much as needed
* – Repeat actions following the asterisk as much as needed
** – Repeat actions between asterisks as much as needed
Abbreviations
alt – alternate
approx – approximately
beg – beginning
bet – between
BO – bind off
byo – backward yarn over
CA – color A
CB – color B
CC – contrasting color
cdd – centered double decrease
ch – chain
cn – cable needle
CO – cast on
cont – continue
cross 2 L – cross two stitches to the left
cross 2 R – cross two stitches to the right
dec – decrease
DK – double knitting weight yarn
dpn – double pointed needles
EON – end of needle
EOR – end of row
FC – front cross
fl – front loop
foll – follow
g st – garter stitch
grp – group
inc – increase
k – knit
k tbl – knit stitch through back loop
k1B – knit stitch in row below
kfb – knit 1 into front and back of stitch
kll – knit left loop
krl – knit right loop
k2tog – knit two stitches together
k2tog tbl – knit two stitches together, through the back loops
ksp – knit 1 stitch; slip the stitch; pass second stitch over first stitch; return stitch to right needle
kwise – knitwise
LC – left cross
LH – left hand
lp – loop
LT – left twist
m – marker
M1 – make one
M1A – make one away
M1L – make one left
M1p – make one purlwise
M1lp – make one left purlwise
M1rp – make one right purlwise
M1R – make one right
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 or pfb – 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
prev – previous
psso – pass the slipped stitch over
p2sso – pass 2 slipped stitches over
pu – pick up stitches
pwise – purlwise
RC – right cross
rem – remaining
rep – repeat
RH – right hand
rib – ribbing
rnd – round
RS – right side
RT – right twist
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 knitwise
sl1p – slip a stitch purlwise
sm – slip marker
sp – space
ss – slip stitch
ssk – slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together
ssp – slip, slip, purl
SSPP2 – slip 2 stitches knitwise; return the stitches to left needle and slip them through back loops; purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over purl
stitch; centered double decrease
sssk – slip, slip, slip, knit three slipped stitches together
st – stitch
st st – stockinette stitch
tbl – through back loop
tfl – through front loop
tog – together
won – wool over needle
wrn – wool round needle
WS – wrong side
w&t – wrap and turn
wyib – with yarn in back
wyif – with yard in front
yb – yarn to the back
yf – yarn forward
yfon – yarn forward and over needle
yfrn – yard forward and round needle
yfwd – yarn forward
yo – yarn over
yo2 – yarn over twice
yon – yarn over needle
yrn – yarn round needle