Knitting Abbreviations Reference
Knitting patterns are full of abbreviations that can be baffling to new knitters and even trip up experienced ones when switching between UK and US patterns. This reference covers all the common abbreviations you'll encounter, plus the key terminology differences between UK and US patterns.
Common Knitting Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| K | Knit | Basic knit stitch |
| P | Purl | Basic purl stitch |
| K2tog | Knit two together | Right-leaning decrease |
| P2tog | Purl two together | Decrease on purl side |
| SSK | Slip, slip, knit | Left-leaning decrease |
| SKP / SKPO | Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over | Left-leaning decrease (UK preferred) |
| YO | Yarn over | Creates a hole / eyelet increase |
| YF / YFwd | Yarn forward | UK term, same as YO between knit stitches |
| YRN | Yarn round needle | UK term, YO between purl stitches |
| M1 / M1L / M1R | Make one (left/right) | Invisible increase |
| KFB | Knit front and back | Bar increase |
| Sl / Sl1 | Slip one stitch | Usually purlwise unless stated |
| PSSO | Pass slipped stitch over | Used after a slip stitch |
| CO | Cast on | Beginning stitches |
| BO / Cast off | Bind off / Cast off | BO is US; cast off is UK |
| St(s) | Stitch(es) | — |
| Rep | Repeat | — |
| RS / WS | Right side / Wrong side | Public / private face of work |
| DPN | Double pointed needles | For knitting in the round |
| CN | Cable needle | Short needle for holding cable stitches |
| C4F / C4B | Cable 4 front / Cable 4 back | Number varies (C6F, C8B, etc.) |
| PM | Place marker | — |
| SM | Slip marker | — |
UK vs US Terminology Differences
Some terms mean different things depending on whether a pattern is written in UK or US English. The most important difference is tension (UK) vs gauge (US) — they mean the same thing.
| UK Term | US Term |
|---|---|
| Tension | Gauge |
| Stocking stitch (st st) | Stockinette stitch |
| Cast off | Bind off (BO) |
| Yarn forward (YF) | Yarn over (YO) |
| Moss stitch | Seed stitch |
| Double moss stitch | Moss stitch |
Be especially careful with moss stitch / seed stitch — the UK and US terms refer to different stitch patterns.
Abbreviations may vary slightly between pattern publishers. Always check the abbreviations section at the beginning of any pattern for definitions specific to that publication.