Common Abbreviations

Abbreviations are not used in this book, but they are used in other knitting books and patterns. Here is a list of commonly used abbreviations in knitting.

approx: approximately

alt: alternate

beg: beginning

BO: bind off

CC: contrasting color

cn: cable needle

CO: cast on

cont: continued

dec: decrease/decreasing

dpn(s): double-pointed needle(s)

foll: follow(s)/following

inc: increase/increasing

k: knit

kfb: knit in the front and the back of the same stitch

k2tog: knit two stitches together

LH: left-hand

lp(s): loop(s)

meas: measures

MC: main color

P: purl

pfb: purl in the front and back of the same stitch

PSSO: pass the slipped stitch over

p2tog: purl two stitches together

rem(s): remain(s)

rep: repeat

RH: right-hand

rnd(s): round(s)

RS: right side of the fabric

sl: slip

sl st: slip stitch

sl1: slip one stitch as if to purl from the left to the right needle

ssk: slip, slip, knit (slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, knit these two stitches together through the back loops)

st st: stockinette stitch

tbl: through back loop(s)

tog: together

st(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side of the fabric

wyib: with yarn in back

wyif: with yarn in front

yds: yards

YO: yarn over (bring the yarn to the front in between the needles and over the right needle and to the back again)