Terminology / Abbreviations 

Knitting Terminology / Abbreviations

• Terminology
• Symbols
• Abbreviations
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Introduction

After seeing this page you might feel overwhelmed and are maybe thinking knitting is too complicated. Don't worry too much. It's not actually that complicated once you know how to do it. We will do our best to setup learning events that show you actually how easy it is so don't let the long list of terms, symbols and abbreviations discourage you. 

Terminology

Bind Off: When you’re at the last row, knit two stitches to bind off. Slip the 1st stitch on top of the 2nd stich. Repeat this until there you have one stitch left. Cut the yarn and tuck it into your last stitch.

Cast On: Casting on means creating your 1st stitch. Create a loop over your left hand needle then place the right hand needle through the loop. After that, pass your yarn over then under the right hand needle through the loop to your left hand needle.

Crochet: Crochet also uses makes use of yarn and  uses a hooked needle to create a more tight situation

Gauge: A gauge shows how many stitches / rows there are per inch (mm)

Eyelet: Decorative edge for knitting projects that have small holes.

Knitting Needles: There are three types of knitting needles. (A) Pin Style Needles (B) Double Pointed Needles (C) Circular Needles.

Knit Stitch: This is the most basic stich. The left hand needle goes in front of the right hand needle to effect the transfer a stitch.

Moss Stitch: This is the switching action between the knit stitch and the purl stitch in a row.

Popcorn Stitch: A bobble on the surface of your knitting project.

Purl Stitch: This is a backward stitch and sees the right hand needle placed in front of the left hand needle.

Rib Stitch: Alternate the stitches between rows to create a contrast.

Skein: Collapsible yarn coil.

Slip Stitch: When you transfer a stitch between two needles without adding yarn in the slip stitch.

Slip Knot: Adjustable loop used for casting

Some Knitting Symbols

A few of the basic symbols

• [] – Repeat actions between these brackets as much as needed
• () – Repeat actions in parentheses as much as needed
• * – Repeat actions following the asterisk as much as needed
• ** – Repeat actions between asterisks as much as needed

Abbreviations

• alt – alternate
• approx – approximately
• beg – beginning
• bet – between
• BO – bind off
• byo – backward yarn over
• CA – color A
• CB – color B
• CC – contrasting color
• cdd – centered double decrease
• ch – chain
• cn – cable needle
• CO – cast on
• cont – continue
• cross 2 L – cross two stitches to the left
• cross 2 R – cross two stitches to the right
• dec – decrease
• DK – double knitting weight yarn
• dpn – double pointed needles
• EON – end of needle
• EOR – end of row
• FC – front cross
• fl – front loop
• foll – follow
• g st – garter stitch
• grp – group
• inc – increase
• k – knit
• k tbl – knit stitch through back loop
• k1B – knit stitch in row below
• kfb – knit 1 into front and back of stitch
• kll – knit left loop
• krl – knit right loop
• k2tog – knit two stitches together
• k2tog tbl – knit two stitches together, through the back loops
• ksp – knit 1 stitch; slip the stitch; pass second stitch over first stitch; return stitch to right needle
• kwise – knitwise
• LC – left cross
• LH – left hand
• lp – loop
• LT – left twist
• m – marker
• M1 – make one
• M1A – make one away
• M1L – make one left
• M1p – make one purlwise
• M1lp – make one left purlwise
• M1rp – make one right purlwise
• M1R – make one right
• M1T – make one towards
• MB – make bobble
• MC – main color
• p – purl
• p tbl – pull through back loop
• p–b – purl stitch in the row below
• p–wise – purl wise
• p1 f&b or pfb – purl the front of the stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch
• p2tog – pull together
• p2tog tbl – pull two together through the back loops
• patt – pattern
• pm – place marker
• pnso – pass next stitch over
• pop – popcorn stitch
• prev – previous
• psso – pass the slipped stitch over
• p2sso – pass 2 slipped stitches over
• pu – pick up stitches
• pwise – purlwise
• RC – right cross
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• RH – right hand
• rib – ribbing
• rnd – round
• RS – right side
• RT – right twist
• sk –skip
• sk2p – slip one, knot two, pass slipped stitch over
• SKP – slit, knit, pass
• sl – slip a stitch
• sl st – slip stitches
• sl1k – slip a stitch knitwise
• sl1p – slip a stitch purlwise
• sm – slip marker
• sp – space
• ss – slip stitch
• ssk – slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together
• ssp – slip, slip, purl
• SSPP2 – slip 2 stitches knitwise; return the stitches to left needle and slip them through back loops; purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over purl
• stitch; centered double decrease
• sssk – slip, slip, slip, knit three slipped stitches together
• st – stitch
• st st – stockinette stitch
• tbl – through back loop
• tfl – through front loop
• tog – together
• won – wool over needle
• wrn – wool round needle
• WS – wrong side
• w&t – wrap and turn
• wyib – with yarn in back
• wyif – with yard in front
• yb – yarn to the back
• yf – yarn forward
• yfon – yarn forward and over needle
• yfrn – yard forward and round needle
• yfwd – yarn forward
• yo – yarn over
• yo2 – yarn over twice
• yon – yarn over needle
• yrn – yarn round needle