Why abbreviations exist
Knitting patterns would be unbearably long without abbreviations. Instead of "knit one stitch, purl one stitch and repeat to end of row" you simply write "*K1, P1* rep to end". Abbreviations save space and once learned are faster to read than full text.
Beware — American and British terminology differ. The same abbreviation can mean a different stitch. Always check which terminology the pattern uses.
Basic American abbreviations
| Abbreviation | English | Czech |
|---|---|---|
| K | Knit | Knit stitch |
| P | Purl | Purl stitch |
| CO | Cast on | Casting on |
| BO | Bind off | Binding off |
| St(s) | Stitch(es) | Stitch (stitches) |
| RS | Right side | Right side |
| WS | Wrong side | Wrong side |
| Rep | Repeat | Repeat |
| YO | Yarn over | Yarn over |
| Sl | Slip | Slip (without knitting) |
| K2tog | Knit 2 together | 2 stitches together knitwise |
| P2tog | Purl 2 together | 2 stitches together purlwise |
| SSK | Slip, slip, knit | Slip 2, knit together |
| M1 | Make 1 (increase) | Add 1 stitch |
| KFB | Knit front and back | Knit front and back |
| PM | Place marker | Place marker |
| SM | Slip marker | Slip marker |
| Rnd | Round | Round (in the round) |
| DPN | Double pointed needles | Double pointed needles |
| CN | Cable needle | Cable needle |
American vs. British terminology
| American | British | Czech |
|---|---|---|
| Bind off (BO) | Cast off | Binding off |
| Gauge | Tension | Gauge |
| Yarn over (YO) | YFwd / YRN | Yarn over |
| Stockinette | Stocking stitch | Stockinette stitch |
Symbols in patterns
Asterisk (*) — marks the beginning of a repeat. Text between *...* is repeated. Example: *K2, P2* rep to end = alternate 2 knit, 2 purl to end of row.
Brackets [ ] or ( ) — a group of stitches that are worked into one stitch or repeated. Example: [K1, YO, K1] in same st = into one stitch work knit, yarn over, knit.
Number after bracket — how many times to repeat. Example: (K2, P2) 4 times = repeat 4 times.
Charts
Many patterns use charts instead of written instructions. Each square = one stitch, symbol inside = type of stitch. Odd rows are read right to left (right side), even rows left to right (wrong side). When knitting in the round all rows are read right to left.
How to read a pattern for the first time
Read the entire pattern from beginning to end before you start knitting. Identify the terminology (US/UK), write down unknown abbreviations and knit a gauge swatch. Much knitter frustration stems from starting to knit without reading the entire pattern and encountering an unknown technique in the middle of the project.
