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Knitting Abbreviations




Knitting abbreviations can be grouped by what they describe:

  • ''side of work''

  • :RS and '''WS''' signify the "right side" and "wrong side" of the work.


  • ''type of stitch''

  • :k means a knit stitch and '''p''' means a purl stitch. Thus, "k2, p2", means "knit two stitches, purl two stitches". Similarly, '''sl st''' describes a Slip Stitch , whereas Yarn-overs are denoted with '''yo'''.


  • ''scope of stitch''

  • :The modifier tog indicates that the stitches should be Knitted Together , e.g., "k2tog" indicates that two stitches should be knitted together as though they were one stitch. '''psso''' means "pass the slipped stitch over". '''pnso''' means "pass the next stitch over".


  • ''orientation of stitch''

  • :The modifier tbl indicates that stitches should be Knitted Through The Back Loop . For example, "p2tog tbl" indicates that two stitches should be purled together through the back toop. '''kwise''' and '''pwise''' connote "knitwise" and "purlwise", usually referring to a Slip Stitch .


  • ''insertion point of stitch''

  • :k-b and '''k1b''' mean "knit into the row below". Similarly, '''p-b''' and '''p1b''' mean "purl into the row below"


  • ''short combinations of stitches''

  • :MB means "make Bobble ". '''ssk''' means "slip, slip, knit", i.e., the Decrease "slip two stitches knitwise individually, then knit them together through the back loop". '''skp''' is another Decrease , meaning "slip, knit, pass the slipped stitch over the just knitted stitch". (As an aside, both of these decreases are equivalent to the simpler "k2tog tbl".)


  • ''repetition of stitches''

  • ...---. For example, "---k2,p2---" means "repeatedly knit two stitches, purl two stitches as long as possible, i.e., until there are fewer than four stitches left in the row". '''alt''' stands for "alternately".


  • ''position of yarn''

  • : wyib and '''wyif''' mean "with yarn in back" and "with yarn in front", respectively. Used primarily with Slipped Stitches .


  • ''beginnings and endings''

  • :BO and '''CO''' mean " Bind Off " and " Cast On ", respectively.


  • ''overall pattern''

  • :St st, '''rev St st''' and '''g st''' signify "stockinette stitch", "reverse stockinette stitch" and "garter stitch", respectively.


  • '' Cable Instructions ''

  • :LT and '''RT''' signify "left twist" and "right twist", respectively. '''FC''' and '''LC''' indicate "front cross" or "left cross" (the same thing), whereas '''BC''' and '''RC''' indicate "back cross" or "right cross" (again the same thing).


  • ''color changes''

  • : MC means "main color"; '''CC''' means "contrasting color".


  • '' Increases ''

  • :m1 means "make one stitch". '''kfb''' or '''pfb''' means "knit or purl into the front and back of a stitch".


  • ''positional abbreviations''

  • :rem means "remaining". '''foll''' means "following". '''beg''' means "beginning". '''cont''' means "continue". '''incl''' means "including".



REFERENCES


  • (2002) ''Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book'', updated ed., Sixth and Spring Books. ISBN 1-931543-16-X


  • (1979) ''Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework'', Reader's Digest Association. ISBN 0-89577-059-8