Understanding Knitting Abbreviations In Patterns
Knitting patterns use a compact language to describe every stitch, movement, and measurement. Once the most common terms become familiar, a page filled with “k2, p2, rep” stops looking like a code and starts functioning as a practical set of instructions. Learning this vocabulary also makes it easier to compare patterns, choose a suitable project, and spot mistakes before they travel across an entire row.
Abbreviations save space and keep written directions readable, particularly when a design includes textured repeats, shaping, colorwork, or several sizes. They are usually explained in a pattern key, but makers often encounter variations between designers, publishers, and regions. A confident knitter knows how to check the key rather than relying on memory alone.
At KRW Knitwear Studio, clear pattern reading is treated as part of the making process. Whether you are working on a simple scarf, a pair of socks, a baby garment, or a detailed sweater, understanding the language behind the instructions gives you more control over the finished fabric.
Why Pattern Abbreviations Matter
A knitting abbreviation represents an action, a stitch, or a measurement. “K” means knit, while “p” means purl. “St st” refers to stockinette stitch, and “RS” and “WS” identify the right side and wrong side of the work. These short forms allow a designer to communicate a great deal without repeating long explanations.
The same abbreviation can appear in several contexts. “Rep” usually means repeat, but the instruction may ask you to repeat a sequence across a row, between markers, or over a specified number of rows. Punctuation and parentheses carry meaning too. A direction such as “(k1, p1) rep to end” tells you to repeat the complete bracketed sequence, rather than repeating only the last stitch.
Before casting on, read the abbreviation list from beginning to end. Some patterns use “tbl” for through the back loop, while others spell out the movement. A pattern may also define a designer-specific term, especially in lace or cable knitting. The key is the authority for that individual project.
The Essential Stitch Shortcuts
The most frequently used stitch abbreviations are straightforward:
- k — knit
- p — purl
- st or sts — stitch or stitches
- sl — slip
- yo — yarn over
- pm — place marker
- sm — slip marker
- rep — repeat
- rnd — round
- beg — beginning
- cont — continue
Capitalization is not always consistent, so focus on the definition provided by the pattern. “K2” means knit two stitches, while “p3” means purl three stitches. When a number appears before an abbreviation, it normally indicates how many times to work that action.
A slash or a phrase such as “to last 3 sts” helps establish where an instruction ends. Commas separate actions, and an asterisk often marks the beginning of a repeat. For example, “*k1, p1; rep from * across” means to work the two-stitch sequence repeatedly across the row. If an instruction says “rep rows 1–4,” repeat the entire group of rows rather than repeating only row 4.
Decoding Increases And Decreases
Shaping abbreviations alter the number of stitches on the needle. Common increases include “kfb,” meaning knit into the front and back of one stitch, and “m1,” meaning make one stitch. The abbreviation “m1L” usually creates a left-leaning increase, while “m1R” creates a right-leaning increase. The exact method may be illustrated in the pattern notes.
Decreases remove stitches. “k2tog” means knit two stitches together and generally leans to the right. “ssk,” or slip, slip, knit, usually creates a left-leaning decrease. “skp” means slip one stitch, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over. These details matter when shaping a neckline, sleeve, sock toe, or lace motif because the direction of the decrease contributes to the visual balance.
A decrease may also be written as “dec,” but that broad term does not always identify the method. Check whether the pattern wants a centered decrease, a left-leaning decrease, or a right-leaning decrease. When several shaping instructions appear in the same row, place removable markers or use a row counter to keep each operation in the correct position.
A Quick Reference For Common Terms
The following guide covers abbreviations found in many beginner and intermediate knitting patterns. It is a starting point rather than a replacement for the designer’s glossary.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | What To Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| k | Knit | The number after it shows how many stitches to knit |
| p | Purl | May appear alongside knit stitches in ribbing |
| st / sts | Stitch / stitches | Singular and plural forms vary by designer |
| yo | Yarn over | Creates a new stitch and often an eyelet |
| sl | Slip | Check whether the stitch is slipped knitwise or purlwise |
| k2tog | Knit two together | A right-leaning decrease |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit | Common left-leaning decrease |
| m1L / m1R | Make one left / right | Confirm the designer’s preferred technique |
| pm / sm | Place marker / slip marker | Markers may identify repeats or shaping points |
| RS / WS | Right side / wrong side | Important for garments and reversible textures |
| rep | Repeat | Look for the exact start and end of the repeat |
| tbl | Through back loop | Changes how the stitch is worked |
Some terms describe fabric patterns rather than individual operations. “Rib” may indicate alternating knit and purl stitches, “garter st” usually means knitting every row, and “rev St st” reverses the usual stockinette texture. “Seed st” and “moss st” can differ between regional traditions, so always use the pattern’s own explanation.
The abbreviation “yo” deserves special attention. It is both a yarn movement and an increase, although it does not require working into an existing stitch. On the following row, work the yarn over as directed; leaving it unworked can create an unintended hole or disturb the stitch count.
Reading Repeats, Charts, And Measurements
Written patterns often use brackets, parentheses, asterisks, and bold type to organize repeats. “Work [k2, p2] 5 times” means to complete the bracketed sequence five times. “Repeat from * to end” refers back to an asterisk, while “repeat between markers” limits the repeat to a specific section of the needle. Read the whole sentence before beginning so you know the boundaries.
Charts present the same information visually. Each square commonly represents one stitch, and symbols stand for knits, purls, yarn overs, cables, or decreases. Chart conventions can change depending on whether you are reading a right-side row or a wrong-side row. A chart legend should explain the symbols and indicate the direction in which rows are read.
Measurements also have their own shortcuts. “CO” means cast on, “BO” means bind off, and “gauge” or “tension” describes the number of stitches and rows in a given measurement. “In,” “cm,” and “rem” may appear in garment instructions, with “rem” meaning remaining. Record your gauge before starting a fitted item, since a small difference can change the final dimensions.
Fixing Confusion Before It Spreads
When a row does not match the expected stitch count, stop before continuing. Count the stitches on the needle, compare them with the stated total, and reread the row from the beginning. A missing yarn over, an accidental decrease, or a skipped repeat is easier to correct immediately than several rows later.
Markers can separate pattern repeats and make counting more manageable. Place one after each repeat, or use a contrasting marker at the beginning of a round. A simple note beside the pattern can also help: write the number of completed repeats, the last shaping row, or the size you are making.
Dropped stitches are another common source of anxiety, especially when they interrupt a lace panel or textured section. Keep a crochet hook nearby and use a clear repair method; this guide to fixing a dropped stitch can help you restore the loops without unraveling more fabric than necessary. After repairing the stitch, check whether the surrounding yarn overs or decreases still match the pattern.
Building A Reliable Pattern-Reading Habit
Confidence develops through repetition, but a consistent process makes every project easier. Use the following habits when approaching an unfamiliar pattern:
- Read the abbreviation key, notes, and sizing information before casting on.
- Highlight the instructions for your chosen size and cross out irrelevant numbers.
- Mark every repeat with removable stitch markers or a row-tracking method.
- Check the stitch count at the end of shaping rows and pattern repeats.
- Keep a notebook with gauge, needle size, adjustments, and completed rows.
It is also useful to translate one section into plain language before knitting it. For example, “k1, yo, k2tog, rep across” becomes “knit one, make a yarn-over, knit two together, then repeat that sequence.” This small mental exercise clarifies the order of operations and reveals whether the stated stitch count makes sense.
When a pattern uses an unfamiliar technique, consult its illustrations or a trusted class resource instead of guessing. A workshop or online lesson can show hand position, yarn placement, and tension in ways that a short abbreviation cannot. With practice, the written term becomes a reminder rather than a barrier.
A pattern is a conversation between the designer and the maker. Abbreviations make that conversation concise, but the key, charts, stitch counts, and notes provide the full meaning. Take time to learn the language, keep your tools close, and approach each new project with a methodical eye. Browse KRW Knitwear Studio’s patterns, books, and learning opportunities to put these skills into practice with a project that suits your current level.