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Knitting abbreviations

46 terms you will meet in knit patterns, grouped by what they do. Each page has the steps and the mistake people usually make.

Basic

k · Knit p · Purl sl · Slip tbl · Through the back loop k-tbl · Knit through the back loop wyif · With yarn in front wyib · With yarn in back pu · Pick up and knit

Increase

yo · Yarn over m1l · Make 1 left m1r · Make 1 right kfb · Knit into front and back pfb · Purl into front and back inc · Increase

Decrease

k2tog · Knit two together ssk · Slip, slip, knit k3tog · Knit three together sk2p · Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over cdd · Centered double decrease p2tog · Purl two together ssp · Slip, slip, purl dec · Decrease psso · Pass slipped stitch over

Cast

CO · Cast on BO · Bind off (cast off)

Structure

RS · Right side WS · Wrong side st · Stitch (sts = stitches)rep · Repeat beg · Beginning rnd · Round tog · Together

Marker

pm · Place marker sm · Slip marker rm · Remove marker BOR · Beginning of round

Fabric

garter st · Garter stitch St st · Stockinette stitch rib · Ribbing

Tool

dpn · Double-pointed needles cn · Cable needle

Cable

C4F · Cable 4 front C4B · Cable 4 back

Colour

MC · Main colour CC · Contrast colour

Short row

w&t · Wrap and turn

Offline glossary. The same terms are searchable in the Stitchlight app, with a filter for knit.

Crochet reader? See crochet abbreviations.

Last updated 7 November 2026. Stitchlight is an independent app; this page is written for readers, not for search engines. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

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