Contact: shiela@handknitter.co.uk
Knitting pattern abbreviations and stitches
| * * | Repeat everything between the asterisks |
| BO | Bind off - knit two and pull the first over the second. |
| c2b | slip one stitch to a cable needle and hold in back, knit one, knit one from cable needle |
| c2f | (slip one stitch to cable needle and hold in front, knit one, knit one from cable needle) |
| c2b | slip two stitches to a cable needle and hold in back, knit two, knit two from cable needle |
| c2f | (slip two stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit two, knit two from cable needle) |
| CC | The contrasting or foreground color (if your pattern uses two colours. When more than 2 colors are used you'd have CC1, CC2, and CC3) |
| CDI | Centre double increase. Knit into back, then front of stitch and then knit into back of vertical bar between those stitches. (Once you've knit into the front and back of the stitch, there will be a tiny strand between the two new stitches - lift that strand and put it on left needle and knit into back of it.) |
| CN | Cable needle |
| CO | Cast on |
| dec | Decrease. For example, K2Tog or SSK. If no stitch is specified, use your favourite. |
| dpn | Double-pointed needles, or sock needles |
| EOR | Every Other Row. For example, EOR 3 more times. |
| inc | Increase. For example, KFB or M1. If no stitch is specified, use your favourite. |
| MC | The main or background color |
| K | Knit |
| k2tog | Knit two together |
| KFB or K1f&b | Knit into front and back of stitch (increase) |
| kwise | Knitwise, as if to knit |
| M1 | Make one (use M1L, see below) |
| M1R | Make one by inserting left needle under the bar between stitches from back through to front and knit (increase) |
| M1L | Make one by inserting left needle under the bar between stitches from front through to back and knit into back of new loop (increase) |
| MC | Main colour |
| P | Purl |
| p2tog | Purl two together (decrease) |
| PFB or p1f&b | Purl into front and back of same stitch |
| psso | Pass slipped stitch over |
| pwise | Purlwise, as if to purl |
| rem | Remaining |
| rep | Repeat. Usually used with asterisks (see top of list) |
| rev st st | Reverse stockinette stitch |
| rnd(s) | Rounds |
| RS | Right side. Usually the smooth or knit side |
| sl1, k2tog, psso | Slip one stitch, knit the next two together, and then pass the slipped stitch over the k2tog. |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit. Skip one stitch as if knitting, then another. Then knit them together, either by insert left needle through stitches and knit with right needle, or slip back onto left needle and knit through back loops. |
| st st | Stockinette stitch |
| st(s) | Stitches |
| tbl | Through back loop |
| WS | Wrong side. usually the bumpy or purl side |
| wyb | With yarn at the back |
| wyf | With yarn at the front |
| YO | Yarn over. pass the yarn over the right needle as if you're knitting but without actually pushing it through the next stitch. This is an increase, and leaves a hole. One of the basic stitches of lace knitting. |
