Knitting abbreviations and pattern repeats
k means knit, p means purl, and k2tog turns two stitches into one. Use the pattern’s own key for special stitches, then check each repeat against the total stitch count.
Common abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Action |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
| st / sts | stitch / stitches |
| CO | cast on |
| BO | bind off (cast off) |
| k2tog | knit two stitches together; one stitch remains |
| p2tog | purl two stitches together; one stitch remains |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit: a left-leaning single decrease |
| yo | yarn over: adds a loop |
| kfb | knit front and back of one stitch; makes two |
| M1L / M1R | make one stitch, leaning left / right |
| pm / sm | place marker / slip marker |
| rep | repeat |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side |
| rnd | round |
| beg | beginning |
| dec / inc | decrease / increase |
| tbl | through the back loop |
| wyif / wyib | with yarn in front / with yarn in back |
Read a row without losing stitches
This original practice line starts with 16 stitches: k2, [k2, p2] three times, k2. Knit the first two, then work knit two and purl two three times, then knit the last two. The count is 2 + (4 × 3) + 2 = 16. No increase or decrease occurs.
Square brackets keep one group together. An asterisk often marks a repeat boundary; the words after it tell you where to stop. Do not turn “repeat to last two stitches” into “repeat to end”.
Track a change in the count
k4, k2tog consumes six old stitches and leaves five. k4, yo, k2tog consumes the same six old stitches but leaves six: the yarn over offsets the decrease. The yarn-over hole and the leaning decrease still change the texture.
Distribute a row of increases or decreases, or read a complete knitting pattern.