Knitting reference
Knitting abbreviations — UK terms & meanings
A quick glossary for the bits of a knitting pattern that look like someone has removed most of the vowels. Pattern keys still win: designers sometimes define their own abbreviations.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| alt | alternate | Usually means every other row or round. |
| approx | approximately | A measurement or count does not need to be exact. |
| beg | begin / beginning | The start of a row, round or section. |
| CO | cast on | Put the starting stitches on the needle. |
| cast off / BO | cast off / bind off | UK patterns commonly say cast off; US patterns often say bind off. |
| cont | continue | Carry on as established. |
| dec | decrease | Reduce the stitch count. |
| dpn | double-pointed needle | A needle with a point at both ends. |
| foll | follow / following | Used when referring to the next instruction or rows. |
| inc | increase | Add stitches. |
| k | knit | The basic knit stitch. |
| k2tog | knit 2 together | A one-stitch decrease that usually leans right. |
| kfb | knit front and back | Knit into the front and back of one stitch to increase by one. |
| LH / RH | left hand / right hand | Usually refers to the needle or side of the work. |
| M1 | make one | An increase worked between existing stitches. |
| M1L / M1R | make one left / right | Directional make-one increases. |
| p | purl | The basic purl stitch. |
| p2tog | purl 2 together | A one-stitch decrease worked purlwise. |
| patt / pat | pattern | Work the established stitch pattern. |
| psso | pass slipped stitch over | Pass a previously slipped stitch over another stitch. |
| rem | remain / remaining | The stitches or rows left. |
| rep | repeat | Work the stated instruction again. |
| rnd | round | One complete circuit when knitting in the round. |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side | The public/front side and reverse/inside side of the fabric. |
| sl / sl1 | slip / slip 1 | Move a stitch without working it; check the pattern for knitwise or purlwise. |
| SSK | slip, slip, knit | A one-stitch decrease that usually leans left. |
| st / sts | stitch / stitches | The basic unit being counted on the needle. |
| St st / st-st | stocking stitch | UK term; US patterns usually call this stockinette. |
| tbl | through back loop | Work through the back of the stitch rather than the front. |
| tog | together | Work two or more stitches together. |
| wyib / wyif | with yarn in back / front | Tells you where to hold the working yarn. |
| yfwd / yf | yarn forward | A UK yarn-over instruction; exact movement depends on neighbouring stitches. |
| yon | yarn over needle | Another UK yarn-over instruction. |
| yrn | yarn round needle | Another UK yarn-over instruction, often seen in older patterns. |
| yo | yarn over | Wrap the yarn over the needle to create an extra loop/stitch. |
UK and US knitting terms that commonly differ
The stitches themselves are mostly the same, but the language around them is not always identical. UK patterns commonly say cast off, stocking stitchand tension; US patterns are more likely to say bind off,stockinette stitch and gauge.
You may also meet yfwd, yon and yrn in British patterns where a US pattern would simply say yarn over. Those different instructions describe how the yarn travels around the needle from different starting positions.
What does SSK mean in knitting?
SSK means slip, slip, knit. It is a one-stitch decrease and is commonly used as a left-leaning partner to the right-leaning k2tog.
We are keeping this glossary concise rather than turning every abbreviation into a tutorial. If a pattern uses an unfamiliar variation, check its own key before assuming it means the standard version.
What does KFB mean in knitting?
KFB means knit into the front and back of the same stitch. It makes two stitches from one, increasing the stitch count by one.
Common abbreviations checked against the Craft Yarn Council master list and current UK pattern terminology. UK yarn-over wording varies, so always use the key supplied with the pattern.