Knitting basics
Standard abbreviations
0 = no stitches
alt = alternate
approx = approximately
beg = begin(ning)
cb = cable back
CC = contrast colour
cf = cable forward
ch = chain
cn = cable needle
co = cast on
cont = continue
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease (ing) (by
working two stitches
together
DPNs = double-pointed
needles
foll = following
g-st = garter stitch
inc = increase (ing)
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 sts together
k(1)tbl = knit (1) into back
loop
kfb = knit into front and
back of stitch
kwise = knitwise
ktog = knit together
LH = left hand
LT = left twist
m1 = make one stitch by
picking up the loop lying
between the stitch just
worked and the next stitch
and working into the back of it
m-st = moss stitch
MB = make bobble
MC = main colour
P1 = work into the stitch
directly below the one at the
tip of the left needle, and
drop the stitch on the needle
off as usual
p2tog = purl 2 sts together
(1 stitch decreased)
p3tog = purl 3 sts together
(2 stitches decreased)Knit Learn the basic stitch that everyone loves
Insert the right needle into the
left needle’s top stitch, from
front to back, with the yarn at
the back.
Hold the yarn around the
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anticlockwise around the
right needle.Using the right needle, pull
this new loop of yarn through
the stitch on the left needle.
Ease the stitch off the left
needle, keeping the new stitch
on the right needle. Repeat
these steps.Purl A knit stitch on the other side
Insert the right needle into the
front of the left needle’s top
stitch, with the yarn at
the front.
;MXL]SYVVMKLXMRHI\ƤRKIV
wrap the yarn anticlockwise
around the top of the
right needle.Using the right needle, pull
this new loop of yarn back
through the front of the stitch.
Ease the stitch off the left
needle, keeping the new stitch
on the right needle. Repeat
these steps.patt = pattern
patt2tog = work 2 sts
together in pattern
p = purl
pfb = purl into front and
back of stitch
PM = place marker
psso = pass slipped
stitch over
pwise = purlwise
rem = remain (ing)
rep or rept = repeat (ing)
rev = reverse
rev st-st = reverse stocking
stitch
rnd(s) = round(s) (on a
circular needle/DPNs)
RH = right hand
RS = right side
RT = right twist
skpo = slip 1, knit 1, pass
slipped stitch over
sl = slip
sl st = slip stitch
sm = stitch marker
sppo = slip 1, purl 1, pass
slipped stitch over
ssk = slip 2 stitches one at a
time, knit 2 slipped stitches
together (1 stitch decreased)
sssk = slip 3 stitches one
at a time, knit 3 slipped
stitches together (two
stitches decreased)
st(s) = stitch(es)
st-st = stocking stitch
tbl = through back of loop
tog = together
tr = treble crochet
WS = wrong side
wyib = with yarn at back
wyif = with yarn in front
ybk = yarn to the back
yf or yfwd = yarn forward
yo or yon = yarn over needle
yrn = yarn round needle14 2mm 0
13 2.25mm 1- 2.5mm –
12 2.75mm 2
11 3mm –
10 3.25mm 3 - 3.5mm 4
9 3.75mm 5
8 4mm 6
7 4.5mm 7
6 5mm 8
5 5.5mm 9
4 6mm 10
3 6.5mm 10½
2 7mm –
1 7.5mm –0 8mm 11
00 9mm 13
000 10mm 15- 12mm 17
- 15mm 19
- 20mm 36
- 25mm 50
UK METRIC US UK METRIC US UK METRIC USNeedle sizes
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