ABBREVIATIONS and DEFINITIONS

ABBREVIATIONS and DEFINITIONS
Abbreviations and definitions are for knitting, machine knitting and crochet.
compiled by Cheryl Waters
” .............................. inches
( ) .............................. repeat instructions between ( ) as many times as noted
afterward
[ ] .............................. repeat instructions between [ ] as many times as noted after
brackets
* .............................. repeat instructions following single * as directed
*…* ........................... repeat all instructions between asterisks
2dtr cl ........................ 2-stitch double treble cluster
AC ............................. alternate color
alt.............................. alternate
altog .......................... altogether
approx........................ approximately
At the Same Time ........ Two techniques will be performed at the same time, such as
shaping the neck and shoulder. Read ahead so that you understand the pattern
instructions.
bar............................. strand of yarn in between two stitches. Also know as a ladder.
BB ............................. back bed
beg ............................ begin[ning]
beg M ......................... beginning marker
bet ............................. between
bl .............................. bobble stitch
BL or bk lp .................. back loop[s]
BLO............................ back loop only
BO ............................. bind off [cast off]
bo .............................. bobble
BP.............................. back post
bpd ............................ back post double crochet
BPdc or bpdc ............... back post double crochet
BPHDC........................ back post half double crochet
BPsc ........................... back post single crochet
BPtr or BP TR............... back post treble crochet
brdst .......................... braid stitch
btwn .......................... between
CA ............................. color A
cab ............................ cable
carr ............................ carriage
CB ............................. color B
CC ............................. color C
cdd ............................ centered double decrease. Slip 2 stitches together [not one stitch
at a time], knit 1, pass the slipped stitches together over knitted stitch
ch- ............................. refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space
ch-8 lp........................ chain-8 loop
ch-sp.......................... chain space. Space previously made.
ch[s] .......................... chain stitch[es]
cit .............................. citrus stitch
ckr ............................. checker stitch
CL .............................. cluster
cm ............................. centimeter[s]
cn .............................. cable needle
CO ............................. cast on
COL............................ carriage on left
con ............................ contrast
cont ........................... continue [ing]
COR ........................... carriage on right
CR DC ........................ crossed double crochet
CR ST ......................... cross stitch
cross2L ....................... cross 2 stitches to the left (to work a cable). Slip 2 stitches
purlwise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in front of work as you knit the
next 2 stitches; then knit stitches off of cable needle.
cross2R ...................... cross 2 stitches to the right (to work a cable). slip 2 stitches
purlwise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in back of work as you knit the next
2 stiches; then knit stitches off of cable needle.
dbl ............................. double
dbl shell...................... double shell stitch
dc .............................. double crochet
dc2tog or DC DEC ........ double crochet 2 stitches together
dec ............................ decrease[s][ing]
DK ............................. double knitting weight yarn. This is slightly finer than worsted
weight. [Note: there is a knitting method called double knitting]
DNT ........................... do not turn
dpn or dp .................... double pointed needle[s]
dsc............................. double single crochet
dtr or dtrc ................... double triple/treble crochet
E or ER ....................... every row
E/N or EON ................. every other needle
E/R or EOR.................. every other row
ea .............................. each
edc ............................ extended double crochet
ehdc........................... extended half double crochet
EOS ........................... every other stitch
esc............................. extended single crochet
est ............................. establish[ed]
ev .............................. every
ext ............................. extention
FB .............................. front bed
fbb ............................. front back bobble
FC.............................. front cross [when working cables — cable needle hangs in front
as you work]
feeder 1(a).................. main yarn feeder. Usually holds main color.
feeder 1(b).................. secondary yarn feeder. Usually holds contrast color.
FF .............................. full[y] fashion[ed]
FF dec ........................ fully fashioned decrease. To decrease 1 stitch, use two prong
transfer tool inwards by 1 needle. This may also be done using three prong tool.
FF inc ......................... fully fashioned increase. To increase 1 stitch, use two prong
transfer tool and move the two edge stitches outwards by 1 needle. Pick up top of stitch
from row below and hang on empty needle.
fig .............................. figure
fin .............................. finish[ed]
Fing ........................... fingering weight
FL or ft lp .................... front loop[s]
fl[s]............................ front loop[s]
Flg ............................. flag stitch
FLO ............................ front loop only
FNP ............................ first needle position
FNR............................ full needle rib
FO ............................. finished object
Foll ............................ follow[s][ing]
FP .............................. front post
fpd ............................. front post double crochet
FPdc or fpdc ................ front post double crochet
FPHDC ........................ front post half double crochet
FPsc or fpsc ................. front post single crochet
FPtr, fptr, FP tr, or FPtrc front post treble crochet
frog[ging] ................... unraveling yarn from knitting project
FSC ............................ foundation single crochet
G .............................. gauge
g or gr ........................ gram[s]
G-bar or G.B. .............. garter bar
G-carr or G.C. ............. garter carriage
grp[s]......................... group[s]
GS or g st ................... garter stitch
H/P ............................ half pitch
hdc ............................ half double crochet
hdc2tog or hdc dec....... half double crochet decrease
hk .............................. hook
HP ............................. hold position. Needles are placed in most forward extended
position and carriage is set to hold or partial knit. Needles in HP will not knit.
htr ............................. half treble crochet
I-cord ......................... Idiot cord. I-cord should be worked on double pointed needles.
When working I-cord, work is not turned but slipped to other end of needle. Instead of
turning work to work on wrong side, slide all stitches to other end of needle and
continue working with that needle in your left hand. Bring working yarn behind stitches
back to “beginning” of row. Knit row as if you have just turned your work to right side.
Keep repeating. This will form a tube. It is usually worked over just a few stitches.
IFO ............................ invisible finish off
in[s] ........................... inche[es]
inc ............................. increas[es][ing]
incl............................. including
inst ............................ instructions
k tbl, ktbl, k1 tbl, or k1b knit through back of loop
k-b or k1b ................... knit stitch in row below [Note: this is infrequently used for knit
through back loop] Knit into stitch below next stitch on left hand needle. Do not knit
stitch on needle, but slip it off of needle.
K, k............................ knit
k1b ............................ knit into back stitch
k2tog ......................... knit 2 together. Slants to the right and is often paired with ssk
which slants to the left.
k2togtbl or k2togb ....... knit 2 together through back loops. Although this slants left, it is
not usually paired with k2tog because it twists the stitches.
k3tog ......................... knit 3 together
k3togtbl or k3togb ....... knit 3 stitches together through back loop
kfb or k1 f&b ............... knit into front loop and then into back loop of stitch. Sometimes
this is called a Bar Increase because it creates a bar across one st. 1 stitch increased.
kll .............................. knit left loop. Insert left hand needle from back to front into
stitch 2 rows below stitch on right hand needle. Knit stitch just picked up. Often paired
with krl. 1 stitch increased
KPK ............................ knit, purl, knit into same stitch
krl.............................. knit right loop. Insert right hand needle into stitch 1 row below
stitch on left hand needle. Place on left hand needle. Knit stitch just picked up through
front loop. Knit stitch on needle.
Alternate method: Slip right hand needle into back of stitch 1 row below stitch on left
hand needle. This will be knitting through purl bump on back side of work. Knit that
stitch. Knit stitch on needle. Often paired with kll. 1 stitch increased
kwise or k-wise ............ knitwise [as if knitting]
KWK........................... knit across, wrap, knit back
L DC........................... linked double crochet [not standard abbreviation]
L TR ........................... linked treble
L[t] ............................ left
ladder......................... strand of yarn in between two stitches. Also know as a bar.
Lbl ............................. long bobble stitch
LC .............................. left cross [when working cables — cable needle hangs in front as
you work]
LDC............................ long double crochet
LH.............................. left hand
Lhn ............................ left hand needle
LHS............................ left hand side
LK .............................. love knot
lp st ........................... loop stitch
lp[s] ........................... loop[s]
LSC ............................ long single crochet
LT .............................. left twist [where two stitches cross each other, as in smallest
cable stitch possible — cable needle hangs in front as you work]
M .............................. marker
m .............................. meter[s]
m .............................. meter[s]
M1 ............................. make 1 stitch. If method is not specified, use whichever M1
increase you prefer.
M1A ........................... make 1 away. Make 1 backwards loop cast on onto your right
hand needle so working yarn is away from you. Working yarn falls to back of work.
M1L, M1 or M1F ........... make 1 left or make 1 front. Insert left needle, from front to
back into ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first
stitch on left hand needle]. Knit this “stitch” through back loop to create a tight stitch
preventing a hole. This is also called M1L because it “leans” left. 1 stitch increase.
m1p or m1p-st ............ make 1 stitch purl. Insert left needle from back to front into
ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first stitch on
left hand needle]. Purl this “stitch” through front loop. 1 stitch increase.
M1R or M1B................. make 1 right or make 1 back. Insert left needle, from back to
front into ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first
stitch on left hand needle]. Knit this “stitch” through front loop to create a tight stitch
preventing a hole. This is also called M1R because it “leans” right. 1 stitch increased.
M1T ........................... make 1 towards. Make 1 backwards loop cast on onto your right
hand needle so working yarn falls towards you or to front of work.
M2 ............................. make two. Insert left needle, from front to back into ladder/bar
[strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first stitch on left hand
needle]. Knit this “stitch” through back loop to create a tight stitch preventing a hole.
Again, insert left needle, from front to back into ladder just used to make a stitch.
Repeat to make second stitch. 2 stitch increase.
MB ............................. main bed
MB ............................. make bobble
MC or mc .................... main color
meas .......................... measure[s]
mm ............................ millimeter[s]
MT -1, -2, -3 ............... Main tension less 1, 2, 3 full numbers
MT +1, +2, +3 ............ Main tension plus 1, 2, 3 full numbers
mult ........................... multiple
MY ............................. Main yarn or main color
n[s] or ndl[s]............... needle[s]
no. ............................ number
NWP ........................... non-working position, position A. Needles in this position do not
knit, no matter how carriage is set.
opp ............................ opposite
OWP........................... out of work
oz .............................. ounce[s]
p .............................. picot
p tbl or p1 tbl or p1b .... purl through back loop
P up ........................... pick up and purl
p-b............................. purl stitch in row below [Note: this is infrequently used for purl
through back loop] Purl into stitch below next stitch on left hand needle. Do not purl
stitch on needle, but slip it off of needle.
P, p ............................ purl
p1b ............................ purl 1 into back stitch
p2sso ......................... pass 2 slipped stitches over
p2tog ......................... purl 2 together
p2tog tbl or p2togb ...... purl 2 together through back loops. Slip needle through second
stitch on left hand needle first.
p3sso ......................... pass 3 slipped stitches over
pat or patt[s]............... pattern
pbf ............................. purl into back loop of stitch and then into front loop. 1 stitch
increased.
pbf ............................. purl into back loop of stitch and then into front loop. 1 stitch
increased.
pc .............................. popcorn
pfb or p1 f&b ............... purl into front loop of stitch and then into back loop. This is a Bar
Increase done on the wrong side of work. 1 stitch increased.
pm ............................. place marker
pnso........................... pass next stitch over
pop ............................ popcorn
pos ............................ position. Usually refers to relative position on needle bed.
pr .............................. previous row
prev ........................... previous
PS or Puff St................ puff stitch
psp ............................ p1 and slip to left-hand needle; pass next stitch over it; return to
right-hand needle
psso ........................... pass slipped stitch over
ptbl ............................ purl through back loop
PU.............................. pick up stitches or pick up and knit
Pwise or p-wise............ purlwise [as if purling]
QTR ........................... quadruple treble crochet
R or r[s] .....................
row[s]
R.C. ........................... ravel cord
R[t]............................ right
RB ............................. ribber bed or rear bed
RC ............................. right cross [when working cables — cable needle hangs in back
as you work]
RC ............................. row count[er]
Rd or rnd[s] ................ round[s]
rem............................ remain[s][ing]
rep or rept .................. repeat[ing]
REV HDC..................... reverse half double
REV SC ....................... reverse single crochet [crab stitch]
rev sc, rsc, or reverse sc ...reverse single crochet
Rev st st ..................... reverse stockinette stitch
rf .............................. right front
RH ............................. right hand
RHS ........................... right hand side
rib.............................. ribbing: vertical columns of knit and purl stitches. Most common
are k1, p1 or k2, p2
rnd[s]......................... round[s]
RS ............................. right side
RT.............................. rib tension
RT.............................. right twist [where two stitches cross each other, as in smallest
cable stitch possible — cable needle hangs in back as you work]
S2KP or S2KP2 ............ slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass two slipped stitches over
sc .............................. single crochet
sc dec......................... single crochet decrease
SC over ring ................ single crochet over ring
SC PS or SC Puff St ...... single crochet puff stitch
sc2tog ........................ single crochet 2 stitches together
sc3tog ........................ single crochet 3 stitches together
sk .............................. skip
sk2p........................... slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over. Slip 1 stitch
purlwise, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over 2 stitches just knit together. Double
decrease that leans to the left. 2 stitches decreased
skp or skpo ................. slip, knit, pass. Slip 1 stitch pwise, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped
stitch over stitch just knitted. Same as sl1, k1, psso. This is similar to ssk and leans
left. 1 stitch decreased
sl knot or slip knot ....... an adjustable knot or loop used to begin many cast-on methods.
Twist yarn to make a loop. Take tail of yarn on top and slip it under and through the
loop. This creates an adjustable loop.
sl or s ......................... slip
sl st............................ slip stitch[es]
sl1, k1, psso................ slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. Slip 1 stitch pwise, knit 1
stitch, pass slipped stitch over stitch just knitted. Same as skp. 1 stitch decreased
sl1k or sl 1 kwise ......... slip stitch knitwise as if knitting
sl1p or sl 1 pwise ......... slip stitch purlwise as if purling
sm ............................. slip marker
sp[s] .......................... space[s]
spn ............................ single pointed needles or straight needles
spn ............................ spoon stitch
sq[s] .......................... square[s]
SS ............................. slip stitch
SS ............................. stitch size. Number on tension or stitch dial.
ssk............................. slip, slip, knit. Slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip next stitch knitwise, slip
back to left hand needle keeping in same position, knit these 2 slipped stitches together
through back loops. Slants to the left and is often paired with k2tog which slants to the
right.
ssk [improved] ............ slip, slip, knit. Slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch purlwise, slip
back to left hand needle keeping in same position, knit these 2 slipped stitches together
through back loops. Slants to the left and is often paired with k2tog which slants to the
right.
ssp............................. slip, slip, purl. Slip 1 knitwise, slip another knitwise, slip back to
left hand needle keeping in same position, purl these 2 slipped stitches together
through back loops. Remember to go through second stitch first. Creates left slanting
decrease.
sssk ........................... slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip another stitch knitwise, slip 1 more
stitch knitwise, slip 3 stitches back to left hand needle keeping in same position, knit
these 3 stitches together through back loops. Perhaps this can be improved like ssk by
slipping second two stitches purlwise.
st st ........................... stockinette stitch [the English call this stocking stitch]
st[s] ........................... stitch[es]
T, tens or TD ............... [occasionally SD for Stitich Dial] tension. Number on tension or
stitch dial.
tbl.............................. through back loop
tch or t-ch................... turning chain
tdc ............................. Tunisian double crochet
tfl .............................. through front loop
tog ............................. together
tp tr ........................... triple treble
tr dec ......................... treble decrease
tr or tc or trc ............... treble crochet Also known as triple crochet
tr-spl .......................... treble-split
tr-y ............................ treble-y
tr2tog or tr dec ............ treble next two stitches together
trtr or tr tr .................. treble or triple crochet
tss ............................. Tunisian simple stitch
UWP ........................... upper working position
v-st ............................ v-stitch
w&t ............................ wrap & turn
WE ............................. work even
Won ........................... wool over needle
WP ............................. working position
Wrn............................ wool round needle
WS............................. wrong side
Wstd .......................... worsted weight
WY ............................. waste yarn
wyib ........................... with yarn in back
wyif............................ with yarn in front
x .............................. times
X-st............................ cross stitch
ybk or yb .................... yarn backward. If yb is followed by a purl stitch, it is the same as
a yarn over. If it is followed by a slipped stitch, it is not a yarn over but just bringing
yarn to back of work.
yd[s] .......................... yard[s]
yfon ........................... yarn forward over needle. Same as yarn over.
yfrn............................ yarn forward and round needle. Same as yarn over. Usually
though of as yarn over between knit and purl stitces.
yfwd or yf ................... yarn forward. If yf is followed by a knit stitch, it is the same as a
yarn over. If it is followed by a slipped stitch, it is not a yarn over but just bringing yarn
to front of work.
YM ............................. yarn marker
yn .............................. yarn
yo .............................. yarn over. This is wrapping yarn as you normally do when
knitting [counter clockwise] but you do not slip your needle through a stitch. You are
creating a new stitch that will be open. This is a basic lace technique.
yo2 or yo twice ............ yarn over twice. Yarn is wrapped around needle twice.
yoh ............................ yarn over hook
yon ............................ yarn over needle. Same as yarn over.
Yrh............................. yarn round hook
yrn............................. yarn around needle. Same as yarn over.
Yst ............................. “Y” stitch