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Knitting Abbreviations

Here is a list of standard abbreviations used in knitting patterns to help you follow and read knitting pattern instructions.
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Standard knitting abbreviations used commonly in Knitting Patterns:
approx approximately
beg begin, beginning
bo bind off
CC contrasting color
ch chain
cm(s) centimeter(s)
cn cable needle
CO cast on
cont continue, continuing
dec decrease, decreasing
dpns double-pointed needles
foll following
g grams
inc

increase, increasing

k knit
k1-b or k1-tbl knit 1 stitch through back loop
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
k2tog-tbl OR k2tog-b knit 2 stitches together through back loop
k-inc or KFB inc 1 by knitting into the front and back loops of next st
LH left-hand
lp(s) loop(s)
m1 make 1 st
M1-L make 1 LEFT: make 1 st by knitting into the LEFT strand of the st 2 rows below the st just knit
M1-R make 1 RIGHT: make 1 st by knitting into the RIGHT strand of the st 1 row below the next st
m meters
MC main color
mult multiple
oz(s) ounces
p purl
p1-b or p-tbl purl 1 stitch through back loop
p2tog purl 2 stitches together
p2tog tbl OR p2tog-b purl 2 stitches together through back loop
patt or pat pattern
p-inc or PFB inc 1 by purling into the front and back loops of next st
pm place marker
psso pass slipped stitch over
rem remains, remaining
rep repeat
RH right-hand
RS right side
rnd round
sk skip
SKP slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over
SK2P slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together
sl slip
sl-k slip 1 stitch knitwise
sl-p slip 1 stitch purlwise
sl st slip stitch
sm slip marker
ssk slip, slip, knit
ssp slip, slip, purl
st(s) stitch(es)
St st Stockinette stitch
thru through
tbl through back loop
tog together
W&T wrap and turn (for working short rows)
WS wrong side
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
yb yarn back
yf yarn forward
yd(s) yards
yo yarn over needle
* repeat instructions following * as many times as necessary or until the end of the row
[ ] repeat instructions within brackets as many times as indicated


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