Understanding Knitting Pattern Abbreviations: A Beginner's Guide
Opening your first knitting pattern can feel like reading a foreign language. Lines like "K2, P2, YO, SSK, K to end" look more like a secret code than craft instructions. The good news is that most patterns rely on the same core set of abbreviations, and once you learn them, you can confidently read almost any pattern you encounter.
The Most Common Abbreviations
The table below covers the abbreviations you will see in the vast majority of English-language knitting patterns. Bookmark this page and refer back whenever you encounter an unfamiliar term.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| K | Knit | Insert needle knitwise, wrap yarn, pull through |
| P | Purl | Insert needle purlwise, wrap yarn, pull through |
| CO | Cast On | Create initial stitches on the needle |
| BO | Bind Off | Secure stitches to prevent unraveling (also "cast off") |
| YO | Yarn Over | Wrap yarn around needle to create a new stitch and decorative hole |
| K2tog | Knit Two Together | Right-leaning decrease: knit two stitches as one |
| SSK | Slip, Slip, Knit | Left-leaning decrease: slip two stitches knitwise, knit together through back loops |
| M1 | Make One | Increase by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting into it |
| M1L / M1R | Make One Left / Right | Directional increases that lean left or right |
| sl | Slip | Move a stitch from left to right needle without working it |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) | Refers to one or more stitches |
| RS / WS | Right Side / Wrong Side | The public-facing and back-facing sides of your work |
| rep | Repeat | Work the indicated instructions again |
| pm | Place Marker | Slide a stitch marker onto the needle |
| sm | Slip Marker | Pass the marker from left to right needle |
| kfb | Knit Front and Back | Increase by knitting into front and back of the same stitch |
| tbl | Through Back Loop | Work into the back leg of the stitch instead of the front |
Reading Patterns: Brackets, Asterisks, and Repeats
Beyond single abbreviations, patterns use punctuation to indicate repeats. An asterisk (*) marks the start of a section you will repeat: "*K2, P2; rep from * to end" means you alternate two knit stitches and two purl stitches across the entire row.
Brackets or parentheses group instructions that are worked together or repeated a set number of times. "(K1, YO, K1) in next st" means you work all three actions into a single stitch to create an increase. "[K4, P4] 3 times" means you repeat the bracketed sequence three times before moving on.
Tips for Decoding Unfamiliar Patterns
- Read the glossary first. Most well-written patterns include a definitions section at the top. Designers sometimes use non-standard abbreviations (especially for specialty stitches), so always check before you begin.
- Work a swatch. Practicing a single repeat of the stitch pattern on scrap yarn helps you internalize the abbreviations before committing to the full project.
- Highlight as you go. Use a highlighter or a digital row counter to mark completed rows so you never lose your place.
- Look up video tutorials. If an abbreviation describes a technique you have not tried, a short video is often faster than a written explanation.
- Join a community. Online knitting forums and local yarn shops are excellent resources when you are stuck on a confusing instruction.
International Differences
If you follow designers from the UK, Australia, or continental Europe, be aware that some terms differ. In British patterns, "cast off" replaces "bind off," and "tension" replaces "gauge." Some European patterns use chart-only formats with standardized symbols instead of text abbreviations. Learning to read symbol charts is a valuable skill that transcends language barriers entirely.
Putting It All Together
Pattern abbreviations exist to save space and keep instructions scannable. Once the core set becomes second nature, you will read patterns almost as fast as plain English. Start with a simple project, keep this reference table handy, and do not be afraid to look things up. Every experienced knitter was a beginner who once puzzled over "SSK."
If you want a tool that keeps your row count in sync while you focus on decoding stitches, check out Yarnie. It handles the counting so you can keep your eyes on the pattern.