👍 Understanding Abbreviations, Terms and Symbols

Knitting is a popular pastime that requires a certain level of skill and knowledge to create beautiful and intricate designs. One important aspect of knitting is understanding the abbreviations and terms used in knitting patterns. These abbreviations and terms are used to convey instructions more efficiently and shortly.

Understanding these knitting abbreviations and terms is essential for anyone who wants to become a skilled knitter. Here are some common knitting abbreviations, terms and their meanings

🔺  GENERAL

alt	alternate
approx	approximatel
beg	begin[ning]
bet	bettween
cont	continue[ing]
rem	remaining
rep	repeat
rnd[s]	round[s]
tbl	through the back loop of the stitch
RS	right side
WS	Wrong side
wyib	With yarn in back
wyif	with yarn in front

🔺  TOOLS

alt	alternate
approx	approximatel
cc	contrasting color
cn	cable needle
dpn	double pointed needles[s]
MC	main color

🔺  MEASUREMENTS

in	inch
mm	millimeter
cm	centimeter
m	meter
g	gram
oz	ounces
yd	yard

🔺  DIRECTIONS

bo	bind off
co	cast on
dec	decrease[ing]
inc	increase[ing]
pm	place marker
sm	slip marker
st/sts	stitch/stitches
psso	pass slipped stitch over
w-t	wrap and turn
yb	yarn back
yf	yarn forward

Knitting symbols are graphic representations used in knitting patterns to indicate specific stitches or actions that need to be taken. These symbols are a standardized way of communicating instructions across different languages and regions, making it easier for knitters to follow patterns from all over the world.

Here are some common knitting symbols and their meanings:

🔺  Basic symbols

Language of knitting patterns

Symbol	Abb	Explanation
	Co	Cast on
	Bo	Bind off
	K	Knit
	P	Purl
	K tbl	Knit through the back loop
	P tbl	Purl through the back loop
	Sl wyib	Slip stitch with yarn in back
	Sl wyif	Slip stitch with yarn in front
	K1b	Knit 1 below

🔺  Increase symbols

Language of knitting patterns

	Yo	Yarn over
	Yo x2	Yarn over twice
	Yo x3	Yarn over three times
	Kyok	(Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1) in the same stitch
	Pyop	(Purl 1, yarn over, purl 1) in the same stitch
	M1	Make one stitch
	M1p	Make one purlwise
	LLI	Left lifted-increases Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	RLI	Right lifted-increases Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	LLIp	Left lifted-increases purl-wise Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	RLIp	Right lifted-increases purl-wive Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	inc to 2	- (Knit 1, purl 1) in one stitch - (Purl 1, knit 1) in one stitch
	inc to 3	- (Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1) in one stitch - (Purl 1, knit 1, purl 1) in one stitch
	inc to 5	- (Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1) in one stitch - (Purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1) in one stitch

🔺  Decrease symbols

Language of knitting patterns

	Ssk	Slip slip knit Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	K2tog	Knit two stitches together Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	Ssp	Slip slip purl Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	P2tog	Purl two stitches together Step-by-step instructions with pictures
	Sssk Sk2p	Slip slip slip knit Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over
	K3tog	Knit three stitches together
	Sssp	Slip slip slip purl
	P3tog	Purl three stitches together
	S2kp	Slip two stitches knitwise, knit one, pass slipped stitches over Step-by-step instructions with pictures

	sl2 p1 p2sso	Slip 2 purl 1 pass 2 slipped stitches over
	K5tog	Knit 5 together
	K7tog	Knit 7 together

🔺  Special symbols

Language of knitting patterns

		Cluster stitches
		Wrap stitches
		Yarn over, knit st/sts, pass yarn over over knitted st/sts
		Left stitch pass through right stitch Step-by-step instructions with pictures
		Right stitch pass through left stitch Step-by-step instructions with pictures

🔺  Gathered symbols

Language of knitting patterns

	2-2	2 into 2 gathered
	3-3	3 into 3 gathered
	5-5	5 into 5 gathered

	2-2 tbl	2 into 2 gathered through the back loop
	3-3 tbl	3 into 3 gathered through the back loop

🌀 Cable symbols

Explanation

	1/1 Left cross
	1/1 Right cross
	2/2 Left cross
	2/2 Right cross
	3/3 Left cross
	3/3 Right cross
	3/3 Left purl cross
	3/3 Right purl cross

Knitting patterns often use a variety of symbols to indicate different stitches and techniques, and it can be easy to get confused or make a mistake if you don't take the time to read the key carefully. So, before you begin your next knitting project, be sure to review the pattern key thoroughly to avoid any potential errors or frustrations along the way.
Happy knitting!