Knitting Abbreviations & Symbols Guide – AU, UK & US

Use this knitting abbreviations chart to understand common terms in Australian, British and American knitting patterns. It explains basic stitches, increases, decreases, pattern repeats and common symbols, with beginner-friendly examples.

Quick Answer

In knitting patterns, K means knit, P means purl, K2tog means knit two stitches together and YO means yarn over. Australian, UK and US knitting abbreviations are often similar, but terminology and chart symbols can vary. Always read the pattern's own key first.

Abbreviations chart · Chart symbols · Example pattern · FAQs

Common Knitting Abbreviations Chart

The following are widely used meanings, not universal definitions. The same abbreviation may have a different meaning in a particular designer's pattern.

Abbreviation Meaning Explanation
K Knit Knit the stated number of stitches.
P Purl Purl the stated number of stitches.
st / sts Stitch / stitches The individual loops on the needle.
CO Cast on Make the starting stitches.
BO / cast off Bind off / cast off Secure stitches at an edge; 'cast off' is common in AU/UK.
RS / WS Right side / wrong side Public-facing side / reverse side of fabric.
rep Repeat Work the indicated instruction again.
rem Remaining Stitches or rows still to be worked.
beg Beginning Start of a row or section.
cont Continue Keep working as instructed.
alt Alternate Every other row or alternating instructions, depending on context.
inc Increase Add stitches using the method specified.
dec Decrease Reduce stitches using the method specified.
K2tog Knit two together Knit two stitches together as one; usually right-leaning.
P2tog Purl two together Purl two stitches together as one.
SSK Slip, slip, knit Slip two stitches knitwise separately, then knit them together through the back loops; usually left-leaning.
YO / yfwd Yarn over / yarn forward Make a yarn-over increase; exact instructions can depend on pattern convention.
SL / sl Slip Move a stitch without knitting it; check whether knitwise or purlwise.
PM / SM Place marker / slip marker Add or move a stitch marker.
M1 Make one An increase; check whether M1L or M1R is specified.
M1L / M1R Make one left / right Directional increases.
tbl Through back loop Work into the back loop of the stitch.
KFB Knit front and back Increase by knitting twice into one stitch.
ssk / skp Left-leaning decrease methods Not always interchangeable; follow the pattern's definition.
DPN Double-pointed needle A type of needle, not a stitch instruction.
rnd / rnds Round / rounds Instructions worked in the round.
g st / garter st Garter stitch Usually knit every row when knitting flat.
st st / stockinette Stockinette stitch Usually knit RS rows and purl WS rows when knitting flat.
tension / gauge Stitches and rows per measured area Used to check fabric size; Australian patterns often say tension.

Australian, UK & US Knitting Terminology

Unlike crochet, the core knit and purl stitch names are generally shared across Australian, British and American knitting instructions. You may encounter different everyday terms:

  • Cast off / bind off: Australian and British patterns often say cast off; American patterns often say bind off.
  • Tension / gauge: Both describe stitches and rows per measured area; tension is common in AU/UK instructions and gauge in US instructions.
  • Stocking stitch / stockinette stitch: Different regional names for the familiar smooth knit-facing fabric.
  • Yarn forward / yarn over: Related wording, but the exact action depends on where the yarn starts and the following stitch. Check the pattern key.

Knitting Chart Symbols – How to Read Them

There is no single symbol key used by every designer. The descriptions below are examples of common chart conventions, not symbols you should assume apply to every pattern.

Common symbol appearance Possible meaning
Empty square Often knit on the right side / purl on the wrong side
Dot or dash in square Often purl on the right side / knit on the wrong side
Circle Often yarn over
Slanted line Often a directional decrease
Shaded or crossed-out square May mean no stitch, depending on the key

Important: These are text descriptions of symbols, not a universal chart legend. Printed symbols can differ, and instructions may change between right-side and wrong-side rows.

How to Read a Knitting Chart

  1. Find the pattern's legend or key and read every symbol definition.
  2. Check whether the pattern is knitted flat or in the round.
  3. In many flat-knitting charts, right-side rows are read right to left and wrong-side rows left to right. In many in-the-round charts, every round is read right to left. Follow the specific pattern.
  4. Locate repeat markers and any edge stitches worked outside the repeat.
  5. Count stitches after increases or decreases to check your progress.

Simple Knitting Pattern Example

CO 12 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K across.
Row 2 (WS): P across.
Rep Rows 1–2 four more times.
BO all sts.

This means: cast on 12 stitches, knit the first row, purl the second, work that two-row sequence four additional times, then bind off all stitches. The result is a small stockinette swatch.

Common Beginner Mistakes

  • Assuming an abbreviation means exactly the same thing in every pattern.
  • Confusing crochet terminology with knitting terminology.
  • Ignoring whether a chart row is viewed from the right or wrong side.
  • Missing instructions inside asterisks, brackets or parentheses.
  • Skipping the tension/gauge check before making fitted garments.

Knitting Abbreviations FAQs

What does K2tog mean?

Knit two stitches together as one stitch. It decreases the stitch count by one.

What does SSK mean in knitting?

Slip, slip, knit: a commonly used left-leaning decrease. The pattern may specify how to slip the stitches.

What does YO mean?

Yarn over. It typically creates a new stitch and a decorative eyelet.

Are Australian and American knitting abbreviations different?

Many are shared, but terms such as cast off/bind off and tension/gauge differ. Follow the individual pattern's terminology.

Are knitting chart symbols universal?

No. Always use the chart key supplied with the pattern.

What do asterisks and brackets mean?

They usually group instructions to repeat, but the exact number of repeats or stopping point must be read from the pattern.

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Disclaimer

This guide is for general educational use. Knitting abbreviations, techniques and chart symbols can vary between pattern designers, publications and countries. Always follow the specific pattern's written instructions and symbol key. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by any pattern publisher.