Tips & Techniques

Reading Patterns & Abbreviations - Knitting & Crochet

Courtesy of The Craft Yarn Council of America


The first time you look at a crochet or knitting pattern, you’ll probably think you’re looking at a foreign language, because patterns traditionally are written using abbreviations. Most magazines or books will have a key explaining these abbreviations, but following is a helpful reference list.

Abbreviations:
approx…approximate(ly)
beg…begin(ning)
BLO…back loop only
BO…bind off
ch(s)…chain(s)
CC…contrasting color
CO…cast on
dc…double crochet
dec…decrease(ing)
DP or dpn…double pointed needle(s)
g or gr…grams
hdc…half double crochet
inc…increase(-ing)
in(s) or "…inch(es)
k…knit
k 2 tog…knit 2 stitches together
LH…left hand needle
lp(s)…loop(s)
MC…main color
M1…make one
oz…ounce(s)
patt(s)…pattern(s)
prev…previous
psso…pass slipped stitch over
p…purl
p-wise…purl-wise, or as though to purl
rem…remain(ing)
rep…repeat(ing)
RH…right hand needle
rnd(s)…round(s)
RS…right side
sc…single crochet
sk…skip
sl…slip
sl st(s)…slip stitches
sl 1, k 1, psso or SKP…slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 1 stitch, and pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch, and over the end of the needle, or slip, knit, pass
sp(s)…space(s)
SP or spn…single-pointed needles
SSK…Slip, slip, knit. Slip first st as if to knit. Slip next st as if to knit. Put the tip of the left hand needle through the front of these two sts from left to right and knit them together.
st(s)…stitches(es)
St st…stockinette stitch
tog…together
tr…triple crochet(s)
WS…wrong side
YB or ytb…yarn to back of work
YF or ytf…yarn to front of work
yo…yarn over
YRN...yarn round needle

*…An asterisk is used to mark the beginning of a portion of instructions which will be worked more than once; thus, "rep between * * three times: means after working the instructions once, repeat the instructions between the asterisks 3 more times (4 times in all).

( )…Parentheses are used to enclose instructions which should be worked the exact number of times specified immediately following the parentheses, such as: (k1, p1) twice. They are also used to list the garment sizes and to provide additional information to clarify instructions.

[ ]…Brackets can be used in the same way as parentheses, but are usually used in combination with them to further clarify instructions.