Knitting abreviations

To ease knitting using a pattern

" inch(es)
( ) work instructions between parentheses, in the place directed
* repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed
* * repeat instructions between asterisks, as directed
alt alternate
approx approximately
beg begin(ning)
bet between
BO bind off
CA color A
CB color B
CC contrasting color
cdd centered double decrease. sl2 tog, K1, pass the slipped stitches over (together)
ch chain (using crochet hook). Start with a slip knot.
cm centimeter(s)
cn cable needle: short knitting needle, used as an aid in the twisting of a cable.
CO cast on
cont continue
cross 2 L cross 2 stitches to the left (to work a cable). Slip 2 stitches p-wise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in front of work as you knit the next couple of stiches; then knit stitches off of cable needle.
cross 2 R cross 2 stitches to the right (to work a cable). slip 2 stitches p-wise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in back of work as you knit the next couple of stiches; then knit stitches off of cable needle.
dc double crochet
dec(s) decrease(s)
DK Double Knitting weight yarn. Slightly finer than worsted weight.
dpn aka dp double pointed needle(s). A short needle with points at both ends, used in sets or 4 or 5, for knitting in the round.
EON end of needle
EOR end of row
FC front cross (in working a cable)
fl front loop(s)
foll follow; follows; following
g aka gr gram
g st garter stitch
grp(s) group(s)
hdc half double crochet
hk hook
in(s) inch(es)
inc(s) increase(s)
incl including
k knit
k tbl aka K1 tbl, K1b Knit stitch through the back loop
k-b knit stitch in row below. (Infrequently used for knit through the back loop; see K tbl)
k-wise knit-wise. Insert right needle into the stitch as if to knit it
k1 f&b aka kfb knit 1 stitch in the front, then in the back. This is also called a Bar Increase
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
k2tog tbl knit 2 stitches together, through the back loops
kll knit left loop. An increase
krl knit right loop. An increase
LC left cross (to work a cable). As in: cross 2 L
LH left hand
lp(s) loop(s)
LT left twist (where two stitches cross each other, as in the smallest cable stitch possible)
m meter(s)
M1 Make 1. This means to increase a stitch. If the method isn't specified, use whichever increase you like, for instance M1F/ M1A make 1 away. An Increase
M1L aka M1, M1F make 1 (front)(left). An increase. From the front, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into back of loop
M1R aka M1B make 1 (back) (right). An increase. From the back, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into front of loop
M1T make 1 towards. An Increase
MB make bobble
mc main color
mm millimeters(s)
no number
oz ounce(s)
p purl
p tbl aka P1 tbl, P1b purl through the back loop
p-b purl stitch in the row below. (infrequently used to mean purl stitch in the back loop; see p tbl)
p-wise purl wise: Insert right needle down into the front loop, or up into the back loop for tbl
p1 f&b aka pfb purl the front of a stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch
p2tog purl 2 together
p2tog tbl purl 2 together through the back loops
pat(s) aka patt(s) pattern(s)
pm place marker
pnso pass next stitch over
pop popcorn stitch
prev previous
psso pass the slipped stitch over (as in slip 1, knit 1, psso)
pu pick up stitches
RC right cross (to work a cable), as in: cross 2 R
rem remaining
rep repeat(s)
rev St st Reverse stockinette/stocking stitch. The "purl" side of plain, stockinette stitch. Purled on RS, knitted on WS
RH right hand
rib ribbing: vertical columns of knit and purl stitches, side by side, as in K1, P1 ribbing
rnd(s) round(s). In circular knitting, a "row" is called a "round."
RS right side, for instance the outside of a sweater. Stated to indicate which side is facing you when carrying out instructions
RT right twist (where two stitches cross each other, as in the smallest cable stitch possible)
sc single crochet
sk skip
sk2p slip1, knit 2 tog, pass slipped stitch over. (a double decrease)
SKP aka skpo "Slip, Knit, Pass." Slip a stitch, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit one. The same as: sl1, k1, psso

sl aka s slip a stitch. If they don't specify, slip the stitch purl-wise....Unless you are decreasing: then, slip it knit-wise on the knit rows, and purl-wise on the purl rows. (According to Vogue Knitting)
sl st slip stitch(es)
sl1, k1, psso slip1, knit1, pass the slipped stitch over. The same as SKP
sl1k aka sl 1 k-wise slip a stitch knit-wise
sl1p aka sl 1 p-wise slip a stitch purl-wise
slip knot an adjustable loop, used to begin many cast-on methods
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sp(s) space(s)
ss slip stitch (Canadian)
ssk slip, slip, knit slipped stitches tog. A decrease
ssk sl 1, sl 1 p-wise, knit slipped sts tog
ssp slip, slip, purl. A decrease, usually done on the purl-side
sssk slip, slip, slip, knit 3 slipped stitches together. A double decrease
st (s) stitch(es)
St st Stockinette/Stocking stitch
tbl through the back loop
tog together
won wool over needle
wrn wool round needle
WS wrong side, for instance the inside of the sweater. Stated to indicate which side is facing you when carrying out instructions
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
yb aka ybk yarn to the back
yd(s) yard(s)
yfon yarn forward and over needle. Same as yo
yfrn yarn forward and 'round needle. Same as yo
yfwd aka yf yarn forward
yo aka yrn or yaon yarn over: wrap the yarn around right needle
yo2 aka yo twice yarn over twice