What Does (Abbreviation) Mean In Knitting? – The Complete Guide

One of the struggles among novice knitters is the knitting symbols and abbreviations. But before you lose your confidence and give up knitting, hear us out.

Knitting abbreviations and symbols are not the same as the Math symbols you use in school. These are shorthand terms that pattern makers and designers use to save space on the pattern.

It is a sensible way to give instructions with these simplified terms. Imagine writing all those complicated stitches and turns in your pattern. Even you might get dizzy and confused.

These abbreviations and symbols help make patterns simpler and easier to understand. They allow knitters to understand and follow the instructions with ease with only a quick look at it.

The succeeding topics will give you in-depth descriptions of these symbols and abbreviations. You can use them as your references, in case you encounter unfamiliar knitting terms.

What Does X Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Some novice knitters may be experiencing difficulty understanding knitting patterns. One of which is when the pattern designer gives you the option on how wide you want your project to be. This means you can decide the width and length of your project.

Say the pattern states, Cast on multiple of 12 + 3. The value of X is 12 which determines the width of your project, while Y is the length. For this pattern, the designer lets you decide the width of your project as long as it is a multiple of 12.

The X in your knitting pattern refers to the number of stitches in the pattern repeat. In simple terms, it is the Width or the cast-on stitches of the project. You have to keep in mind that the number of your cast-on stitches will determine how wide your project will be.

In this pattern instruction, you can decide your project width by casting on 12, 24, 36, 48, and so on. The X or the length is + 3, so the value of your X + 3. You can decide the length of your project once you have decided your cast-on stitches.

For instance, you choose 12 as your X, then your Y will be 15. Let’s take another example. Say, you chose to cast on 24 stitches, the length or the Y value will be 27. You only add 3 more stitches at one or both ends. Easy, isn’t it?

You will still encounter more knitting symbols as you continue making more projects. But do not have to overwhelm yourself at this point. You will be familiar with these symbols and abbreviations as you often see them in your patterns.

What Does t3f Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

You might have encountered the t3f symbol in your knitting pattern. What does this mean to your pattern?

The symbol t3f means Twist 3 Front

It means the pattern instructs you to slip 2 stitches on the cable needle and keep it in front of your work. Then, make 1 purl stitch from your left needle, knit 2 stitches from the cable needle

This is a stitching technique that uses a cable needle. Cable needles are smaller than your knitting needles. They are useful for making stocking stitches. The cables are also useful for knitting braid patterns.

Cable knitting produces knitted fabrics that are thicker, denser, and less stretchy.

What Does c3b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The c3b in knitting abbreviation refers to Cable 3 Stitches Behind.

The letter C indicates the kind of stitches. In this case, C stands for Cable stitches. The number 3 indicates the number of stitches involved in this maneuver. The F or B in cable stitches indicates Front or Back.

When you do cable stitches, you suspend the stitches either in front or at the back. For the c3b, you should position your stitches at the back of your work.

If you encounter this in your pattern, it instructs you to make cable stitches behind your work. This is how to do it. Get your cable needle and slip 3 stitches.

Keep these stitches at the back of your work. Then, knit 3 stitches from the left needle. Now, go back to the cable needle and knit all the three stitches.

What Does t4b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The symbol t4b in knitting means Twist Four Back Cable Stitch. You use this technique to cross two knit stitches with two purl stitches. This produces a row of lean knit stitches.

When you read this t4b symbol in your pattern, it instructs you to make cable stitches. So, get your cable needle and slip 2 stitches off your left knitting needle. Then, hold that stitches behind your work.

Get your working or right needle and knit two stitches from your main needle. Then, take your working needle and purl the two stitches from your cable needle.

What Does t3b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

In knitting, the abbreviation t3b refers to Twist Three Back Cable Stitch.

The letter t indicates the kind of stitches. In this case, it stands for Twist Cable stitch. The number 3 indicates the number of stitches involved in this maneuver.

The letter b indicates the position where you hold your cable stitches. In this case, it is at the back.

Here is how you do it. Slip 1 stitch on your cable needle. Hold the stitches at the back of your work and knit 2 stitches. Then, take your working needle and purl one of the stitches from your cable needle.

What Does t2b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

When you follow a knitting pattern, you might have encountered the symbol t2b. This abbreviation refers to Twist 2 Back, a kind of cable stitch.

The symbol t2b refers to twist 2 back. This cable stitch is unique because you can make it with or without using a cable needle.

The letter t denotes twist cable stitch. The number 2 refers to the number of stitches involved in the step. The letter b indicates the position where you suspend the stitches on your cable needle.

When the pattern shows a t2b symbol, you may or may not use a cable needle. If you want to use a cable needle, you slip your cable needle to the next stitch on your needle. Keep it behind your work and knit the next stitch off your left needle. Then, purl the stitch off your cable needle.

If you do not want to use a cable needle, here is how you do it. Make a purl stitch at the back of the second stitch from your left needle. With your working needle, knit toward the front of your first stitch from your left needle. Then, slip both stitches together.

In essence, the t2b two-stitch twist cable technique makes a two-stitch left twist (t2l).

What Does ssk Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation ssk in knitting means Slip-Slip-Knit Decrease.

The ssk or the Slip-Slip-Knit Decrease is one of the common decreasing techniques. This mirrors the look of k2tog or the knit 2 stitches together technique. Most knitters pair ssk with k2tog, a right-decreasing technique.

This technique is a left-leaning decrease stitch. It means that the top of the stitch leans on to the left, away from the bottom. Learning how to decrease your stitches is important in knitting.

Decreasing adds shape or form to your project. And ssk is the most common of these decreasing techniques.

When you encounter an ssk symbol, here is how you do it. Slip your first stitch on your left needle toward the right needle without knitting.

Do the same process to your next stitch. Then, insert the left needle inside the front loops of these stitches from left to right. Yarn over your right needle then knit the stitches together.

What Does kfb Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation kfb in knitting stands for Knit Front And Back. It is one of the increasing techniques that you may encounter in your patterns.

Akin to decreasing, you may use increasing techniques to your project shape and form. This increasing technique is easier than you think. Here is how to do this.

1. Insert your right-hand needle on to your first stitch. Knit a stitch, but you must not drop the left stitch yet. Bring your needle behind your left-hand needle. Then, knit into the back of that same stitch.
2. Yarn over the tip of your right-hand needle counter-clockwise. Using your right-hand needle, pull a loop into the left stitch. At this point, you should have two stitches on your right-hand needle.
3. Slide your left stitch from your left-hand needle. Now, you have increased your stitches.

What Does m1 Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The “m1” symbol is the same as the “m1l”. You may also encounter an abbreviation like M1L in your knitting pattern. Do not confuse yourself because all these symbols refer to Make-One-Left increasing technique.

You do the m1 technique between 2 stitches with the bar between these stitches.

The following steps will help you make a m1 or m1l increasing stitch.

1. Locate the strand or bar that goes across between your two needles
2. Insert your left-hand needle from back to the front of the horizontal strand or bar. Then, insert your right-hand needle into the front of the loop.
3. Wrap your yarn on the right needle and knit as usual.

What Does yo Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The symbol yo refers to Yarn Over. This is a simple way to increase the number of your stitches. You also do a yarn over to create holes in your knitting projects. Here is how you do the yarn over.

1. Make knit stitches up to the spot where you would like the hole to appear. In case you are using a pattern, it will instruct you where you need to do the yarn over.
2. Next is to wrap the yarn around your right-hand needle from front to back. Then, hold on to the yarn as you insert the needle toward the next stitch. Then, continue knitting.

Through the process, you have also created an extra stitch.

What Does psso Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The symbol psso refers to Pass Slipped Stitch Over. This technique is also for decreasing the number of your stitches. This allows you to bind off stitches in the middle of a row.

You may use ppso from the knit or purl side of your project. Here is how you do a psso on the knit side:

1. Slip one stitch knit-wise from your left-hand needle to the right-hand needle.
2. Then, knit the next stitch on your left-hand needle.
3. Now, insert the tip of your left-hand needle into the slipped stitch. Bring it over the knitted stitch then off the needle the same as you are binding off.

The following steps will guide you to work on psso on the purl side.

1. Purl one stitch.
2. Slip your next stitch knit-wise to the right-hand needle. Put it back in this changed direction to your left-hand needle.
3. Transfer the purled stitch you did in step 1 from your right-hand needle to your left- hand needle.
4. Then, insert your right-hand needle inside the slipped stitch. Bring it over the purled stitch then off your needle.

What Does yrn Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The symbol yrn refers to Yarn Round Needle Increase. This is a technique for making holes in your knitting project. You do this when you work from a purl stitch to another purl stitch.

This technique is also useful for making laces and eyelets. This technique is simple. The following are the easy steps to do yrn.

1. You make a purl stitch.
2. Then, wrap the yarn around your needle and bring it back to the front.
3. Continue making purl stitches as usual.

What Does tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation tbl refers to Through Back Loop. Some patterns may have p tbl or k tbl. The former refers to Purl through the back loop, while the latter is Knit Through Back Loop.

The following steps will guide you on how to do k tbl.

1. Insert the right-hand needle from the backside of the loop going to your left-hand needle. Then, wrap your yarn the same as a regular knit stitch, but counter-clockwise.
2. Finish knitting the stitch, and drop off the loop.

Here is how you do the p tbl.

1. Look for the backside of your loop. Once you find it, insert the right-hand needle onto the back going to the front.
2. Wrap the working yarn over the tip of the needle the same as the regular purl stitch. Then, finish your purl stitch and drop off the loop as usual.

What Does turn Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The term turn in knitting refers to moving your piece of work or your knitting project. This term is common when you work on straight knitting needles. You make the stitches on your left-hand needle toward the right, so you turn your work to start the next row.

You turn your project around when you knit on short rows. When you turn, you create a hole or space on the turning point.

What Does tw2 Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

This tw2 knitting symbol refers to Twist Two. You do this by knitting the second stitch on your left-hand needle. Knit the first stitch then, slip both stitches off your needle.

When you do the tw2, you put the right needle onto the back of the second stitch. Knit this into the back loop as you keep it on the left needle. Bring your needle from back to front.

Knit the first stitch as usual onto the front loop. Then, drop both stitches off your left needle.

There are still a lot of knitting symbols and abbreviations that you have to learn. These may sound and look intimidating, but they aren’t.

These abbreviations and symbols will make you follow the knitting pattern down to a tee. Do not fret if you have not memorized all these. Besides, no one does.

You will get the hang of these symbols as you keep improving your skills. Practice knitting more often, and you will be amazed at how fast you can remember these symbols.

What Does Co Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation CO means Cast On. Every knitting project starts with a cast on. A cast on is a series of loops on your needle. These loops will become the first row of the stitches. The following are the four techniques of cast-on.

• Single Cast-On
• Long-tail Cast-On
• Knitted Cast-On
• Cable Cast-On

Single Cast-On
Before you make your cast-on, make a slip knot. You need to make a loop using your yarn. Put the yarn into the loop to make another loop with a knot at the end. Now, you can start with your Single Cast-On.

1. Slide the slip knot into the needle. Pull the yarn to tighten the knot.
2. Wrap your working yarn around your thumb. This makes a loop around your thumb.
3. Put the needle underneath, then up into the loop on your thumb
4. Get your thumb off the loop then pull the yarn
5. Continue the process until you have reached your desired number of stitches on your cast-on.

Long-tail Cast-On
Before you begin doing the cast on, leave a tail at the end of your yarn. The length of the tail will depend on the number of stitches you want your cast on. Say, you want to cast-on 10 stitches, then leave at least 12 inches (30.5 cm.) of yarn for the tail.

1. Drape this tail part over your thumb and pointer finger of your left hand.
2. Catch it between your pointer and middle fingers.
3. Catch your working yarn against your palm using your pinky and ring fingers.
4. Get the needle in your right hand. Put it over the yarn between your thumb and pointer fingers.
5. Using the needle, pull the yarn towards you. At this point, you should see a yarn loop around your thumb.
6. Put the needle underneath the outer yarn next to your thumb and up into the loop.
7. Bring your needle back to your pointer finger and over your working yarn. Then, put it back to your thumb again.
8. Drop the head of your needle down to the loop around your thumb.
9. Then, take your thumb off the loop and tug the yarn.
10. Continue the process until you have reached your desired number of stitches on your cast on.

Knitted Cast-On
Start by making a slip knot and place it on your needle. Hold the needle on your left hand and hold the other needle on your right hand.

1. Pass your right-hand needle into the loop onto the left needle. Bring the right-hand needle underneath the left-hand needle.
2. Using your left hand, wind your working yarn around your left-hand needle.
3. Then, put the right-hand needle back to the loop on your left-hand needle.
4. At this point, you have a loop on your right-hand needle. Turn the loop and drop it onto the left-hand needle. Then, release the right-hand needle from the loop.
5. Tug the yarn. Now, you have two stitches on your cast-on.
6. Continue the process starting from the second step. Do this until you reach your desired number of stitches on your cast-on.

Cable Cast-On
Make two stitches following the steps in Knitted cast-on. When you have the two stitches, put your right-hand needle between the two stitches. You do this by bringing the right-hand needle under the left-hand needle. Then, bring it into the yarn connecting the stitches.

1. Wrap your working yarn around your right-hand needle.
2. Then, bring the right-hand needle back to the loops.
3. At this point, you have a loop on your right-hand needle. Then, turn the loop and drop it on your left-hand needle and release the right needle off the loop.
4. Tug the yarn. At this point, you should have two stitches on your cast-on.
5. Continue the process starting from the second step. Do this until you reach your desired number of stitches on your cast-on.

What Does BO Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation BO means Bind Off. This knitting process refers to securing the stitches of your last row. Binding off means finishing the edge of your work. This will prevent your stitches from unraveling.

1. Knit the first two stitches from the left-hand needle. These stitches will become the first two stitches on the right-hand needle.
2. With the left-hand needle in front insert it through the first stitch on the right-hand needle. Keep in mind that this stitch is the one on your right needle.
3. Put the loop onto the second stitch and from the tip of your right-hand needle.
4. Knit the next stitch on your left-hand needle. This will give you 2 stitches on your right- hand needle.
5. Trim the yarn a few inches from your needle. Tug the tail on the last stitch to secure it.

What Does dec Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation dec means decreasing. This process refers to decreasing the number of stitches in your work. Decreasing gives form and shape to your work.

Your pattern will instruct you on how many stitches you need to decrease. In case the pattern does not specify, here are two ways to decrease your stitches.

Decrease 1 stitch

1. You insert your right-hand needle purlwise or knitwise on the two stitches on the left needle.
2. You complete the process as if you are knitting or purling 1 stitch. Now, you made 1 stitch of what supposed to be 2.

Decrease 2 stitches

1. You insert your right-hand needle purlwise or knitwise on the two stitches on the left needle.
2. You complete the process as if you are knitting or purling 1 stitch. Now, you made 1 stitch of what supposed to be 3.

If you need to decrease more, follow either of the two options given above. But, you insert the right-hand needle according to the number of stitches you need to decrease.

What Does inc Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation inc means increasing. This process is the opposite of decreasing technique. However, both techniques add shape to your work. If your pattern does not specify how many stitches you need to increase, here is an option.

Increase 1 stitch

1. Insert your right-hand needle on to your first stitch.
2. Knit a stitch, but do not drop the left stitch yet.
3. Bring your needle behind your left-hand needle. Then, knit through the back of that same stitch.

What Does k2tog Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation k2tog means knit two stitches together. This is the most common decreasing technique. It creates a decrease that slants to the right.

Doing a k2tog is like creating a regular knit stitch. But in this technique, you work through two stitches instead of only one. Here is how you do k2tog.

1. Insert the right-hand needle into the two stitches from front to back at the same time.
2. Wrap your working yarn around your right-hand needle tip from the back of your work.
3. Use your right-hand needle tip to draw the loop from the back. Then, through the two stitches on the front to create a new stitch on the right-hand needle.
4. Drop the two previous stitches from your left-hand needle.

You can apply the same concept using purl stitches. This becomes purl two together or P2Tog.

What Does k2tog tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation k2tog tbl means knit two stitches together, through the back loops. This is a decreasing technique that gives shape and form to your work. Decreasing your stitches is important in knitting scarves, hats, sweaters, gloves, and more.

This decreasing technique gives a left-leaning slant. This is a good alternative to the Slip Slip Knit (ssk). Here is how you do the k2tog tbl.

1. Insert your working needle through the next two stitches on the left needle from the back loops.
2. Wrap your working yarn over the working needle. Then, knit them together and pull it towards you.
3. Slip the stitches off your working needle. This will give you a left-slanting form.

What Does sk2p Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation sk2p refers to slip one, knot two, pass slipped stitch over. This is a left-leaning double decrease stitch technique.

1. Begin your sk2p with the yarn behind your work
2. Slip one stitch with your left-hand needle through the right-hand needle knitwise.
3. Then, knit the next two stitches on your left-hand needle together.
4. Use the tip of the left-hand needle to get the slipped stitch up, over the k2tog, and off the right-hand needle.

What Does sl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation sl means slip a stitch. This means to move a stitch from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle. This movement does not involve actual knitting or purling the stitch.

1. To make slip a stitch, insert your right-hand needle purlwise.
2. Then, bring it through the first stitch on your left-hand needle.
3. Slip it off the left-hand needle on the right-hand needle.

What Does ksp Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation ksp refers to knit 1 stitch, slip, pass slipped stitch over.
Here is how you do it.

1. Knit 1 stitch, slip this stitch from the right-hand needle to the left-hand needle.
2. Pass the second stitch on the left-hand needle over the first stitch and off the left needle. Then, bring back the stitch to the right-hand needle

What Does sspp2 Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation sspp2 refers to slip 2, purl 1, pass 2 over. This also refers to the centered double decrease technique.

Here is how you do it.

1. Slip 2 stitches knitwise then return these 2 stitches to the left needle.
2. Slip them as if you are making purl 2 stitches together through the back loops.
3. Then, purl 1 and pass these 2 slipped stitches over a purl stitch.

What Does sk2p Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation sk2p refers to slip, knit two, pass double decrease. This also refers to a double left-leaning decrease technique.

Here is how you do it.

1. Work on your pattern to one stitch before the part you want to decrease the stitches.
2. Slip the first stitch off your main needle.
3. Then, knit the next two stitches from your main needle together.
4. Pass the slipped stitch over the knit two together.

What Does sssp Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation sssp means slip one, slip one, slip one, purl slip stitches together. This is a double left-leaning decrease technique.

Here is how you do it.

1. Slip 3 stitches knitwise.
2. Bring back these 3 stitches to the left-hand needle.
3. Then, purl these 3 stitches together through back loops.

What Does st st Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The abbreviation St st refers to Stockinette stitch. This also refers to Stocking stitch which is one of the basic knitting stitches. This stitch is common for making scarves, socks, and more.

The Stockinette stitch has two unique properties that set it apart from others.

• Stockinette stitch has a distinct front and back sides. The smooth side is the front, while the rough and bumpy part is the reverse.
• Stockinette knitted fabric coils on the edges. The horizontal edges bend toward the front side.

To do Stockinette stitch, you make a row of knit stitches. Then, do a row of purl stitches. On your pattern, you may see instructions like this.

Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: Purl across.

These instructions are guiding you to make Stockinette stitch.

There are still a lot of knitting abbreviations that you need to understand. But, do not worry, we are giving you the easiest way to understand them.

These knitting abbreviations are helpful to your knitting journey. They will allow you to read patterns faster and quicker. It may take you a while to grasp all of them, but that’s fine.

The more you make knitting projects and use patterns, the faster you understand them.

What Does (Abbreviation) Mean In Knitting?

It is best to understand abbreviations and symbols if you are a novice knitter. If you like working on patterns, you may find several of these abbreviations. It can confuse beginners but do not worry about memorizing everything.

Follow this simple guide to basic knitting abbreviations and symbols to help you make patterns simpler to understand. You can use it as a reference whenever you encounter unfamiliar terms in your designs.

What Do alt and foll Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

These abbreviations are two of the most basic abbreviations in knitting. Alt means alternate or alternating. Foll means follow or following.

When you see foll alt row in your pattern, it means following alternating row. After your increase row, you increase on every other row. Begin with the second row after your first increase row.

What Does b&t Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

In knitting, b&t means to break and tighten. When you see this abbreviation on a pattern, you must break off the yarn and thread the end through the stitches left on your needle. Then, you must pull the end of your yarn to tighten the stitches together.

Knitting tight stitches prevent your stitches from falling off your needles. If you knit your stitches too loose, your fabric becomes loose and unattractive. Make sure not to stitch too tight or else your fabric might pucker, and you will have a hard time stitching.

What Does gst Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

gst means garter stitch. This abbreviation indicates that you knit every row of your fabric. It may also refer to the fabric texture you produce by knit stitching every row.

Garter stitch is one of the most common stitch patterns in knitting. You can quickly recognize this stitch by its horizontal ridges at the top of your knitted loops on every other row.

What Does M1p Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Make 1 purlwise (M1p) is one of the most useful techniques in knitting. Do this by purling into the back of your loop between two stitches. Knitters use M1p to increase on the purl side of their fabric. One advantage of M1p is that it does not leave visible elevated patterns on your knitting.

Your M1p can be either right-leaning (M1pR) or left-leaning (M1pL). Some also know these terms by single right- or left-leaning purl increase. Choosing between these two depends on how you want the increase to look in front of your knitting.

Many recommend choosing M1pR because it is simpler to do compared to M1pL. But as a beginner, you should not worry about choosing between M1pR and M1pL because knitting patterns usually show which one to use.

What Does pfb Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?
pfb stands for purl front and back of a stitch. It is also a single purl increase, just like M1p. Ideologically, it is the opposite of kfb (knit front and back). By doing this technique, you increase one purl into two purl stitches.

May knitters like pfb because it blends in your fabric and looks good even if you create it in the middle of your rows. This technique is easy to do. You just need a little practice. Basically, you are purling one single stitch twice, first, through the front and second, through the back.

Follow these simple steps to do a pfb stitch:

1. Start with the yarn in front of your fabric.
2. Insert your right needle through the front of the first stitch on the left needle.
3. From right to left, wrap the yarn around your right needle and pull it through to purl one stitch. Be careful not to drop the original stitch from the left needle.
4. Bring the right needle behind and insert it through the back of the same stitch on your left needle. Do this from right to left.
5. Wrap the yarn around the tip of your right needle and pull it through
6. Lastly, drop the original stitch from your left needle.

What Does p2tog Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Unlike pfb, p2tog, or purl 2 stitches together is a single decrease. Knitters use this technique to shape their fabric. When you do a p2tog, you are purling except that you work into two stitches simultaneously.

You can do a p2tog to work a decrease from your fabric’s purl side. Remember that when you look at a p2tog from your knit side, the stitches must slant to the right, just like a k2tog decrease.

Follow these steps to do a p2tog decrease:

1. Work up the two stitches that you want to purl together. Your pattern indicates where the p2tog must be.
2. Bring the working yarn to the front of your fabric.
3. Insert your right needle into the next two stitches, sliding your needle through the front of the stitches from right to left.
4. Wrap the yarn around your needle in a counter-clockwise direction.
5. Pull it through both stitches. Doing so, you must see both stitches under the loop.
6. Finally, drop both old purl stitches off your left needle.

If you worked a p2tog in a stockinette stitch, it should be on the ‘wrong’ or purl side of the fabric. If you flip your stockinette stitch, you must see that the decrease made a stitch leaning towards the right.

A p2tog decrease is useful in any pattern that needs a decrease on the purl side. It is also useful when you somehow want to remove purl stitches on your fabric. You can also see this type of decrease in lace knitting.

What Does p3tog Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

p3tog stands for purl 3 stitches together. Unlike a p2tog, p3tog is a double stitch decrease and slants to the left instead of the fabric’s right side.

It is a bit more difficult to do compared to the p2tog. You must take extra precaution as this type of decrease will shorten your fabric and often leads to little bumps or ridges.

Follow these simple steps to do a p3tog:

1. Insert your right needle into the first three stitches on your left needle from left to right.
2. Wrap the working yarn around your needle in a counter-clockwise direction.
3. Push the yarn towards the front of your fabric to increase the tension.
4. Pull the yarn through the three loops.
5. Finally, slip all three stitches off your left needle.

Take note that your p3tog should have three loops around its base. If you do not see three loops, you made a mistake of inserting your needle in only two stitches and dropped one.

What Does p3tog tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

When a pattern indicates p3tog tbl, you must purl three together through the back loop. Compared to other types of decreases, p3tog tbl is very tricky. Knitters use this shaping technique to remove two stitches at a time while twisting them on the fabric’s purl side.

When doing a p3tog tbl, you are also purling three stitches together, but you insert your needle into the back from right to left. It can be difficult as it is quite hard to wiggle your needle through.

To do this decrease, you can try to loosen up the individual loops with your right needle. Insert it and pull a little. After doing so, you insert your needle through three ack loops, purl it, and slip them off.

What Does rev St st Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

rev St st stands for reverse Stockinette stitch. It is a simple stitch pattern that has a lot of texture. Knitters use reverse Stockinette stitch to highlight fibers and add a touch to a garment’s plain area.

You can make this stitch by knitting one row and purling the next. Follow this pattern to do a reverse Stockinette stitch:
Row 1: purl across
Row 2: knit across
Repeat until you reach your desired length

What Does SKP Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Slip 1 knitwise, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, or SKP, is a single left-leaning decrease. Knitters use this pattern to decrease the fabric’s stitches count by one stitch. You can typically see this on the right side of the fabric and lace knitting.

Follow these steps to do SKP:

1. 1. Work up to the stitches that you want to decrease, or where the pattern indicates to decrease.
   2. Slip one stitch knitwise. Do this step by inserting your right needle into the next stitch as if you are going to knit it.
   3. Instead of knitting it, transfer it over to the right needle by lipping it off your left needle.
   4. Next, you knit the stitch.

-the first stitch on your right needle will be your new knit stitch, right next to it is your slipped stitch

1. Insert your left needle into the front of your slipped stitch.
2. Pull up on the slipped stitch using your left needle and pass it over the knit stitch and off your right needle.
3. Pull your left needle out of the stitch. You must see the slipped stitch next to your knit stitch, and you have one less stitch on your needles.

What Does SK2P Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

SK2P stands for slip 1 knitwise, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over knit 2 together. Knitters use this left-leaning double decrease in projects that need a reduction in the number of stitches.

Follow these simple steps to do an SK2P:

1. Position your yarn behind the fabric.
2. Slip one stitch from your left needle onto your right needle, knitwise.
3. You should knit the next two stitches on your left needle together.
4. Use the tip of your left needle to lift the slipped stitch over the k2tog, and off your right needle.

What Does S2KP2 Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Also known as center double decrease (CDD), slip 2 stitches, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over. This technique decreases two stitches simultaneously. It also creates a prominent center stitch at the decrease point.

Follow these steps to do the S2KP2:

1. 1. Slip two stitches from your left needle to the right as if to knit two together.

-remember that you are only slipping them at the same time, instead of working these stitches.

• Knit the next stitch on your left needle.

 

-you must see that the two stitches you slipped intertwining on themselves

 

• Insert your left needle into the two slipped stitches.
• Pull them over the first stitch and off your right needle.

 

What Does (Abbreviation) Mean In Knitting?

Continue reading this simple guide to help you understand knitting abbreviations and symbols. Use it as your reference whenever you see unfamiliar terms in your patterns.

Knit one below, or k1b, is a technique generally to increase stitches. Knitters usually use this technique in brioche type stitches that have a thick squishy texture to it. It is easier than what you might think, although many get confused about where precisely below the stitch should be.

Follow these simple steps to do a k1b:

1. Insert your needle into the stitch directly below the first stitch on your left needle, knitwise.
2. Wrap your needle with your working yarn and knit the stitch as normal, pulling the thread through the stitch.
3. Pull the worked stitch and the stitch above off the needle together.

What Does k1 tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

You change the direction from which your needle enters the stitch whenever you do a k1 tbl or knit one through the back of the loop. You can deliberately twist the stitch and create a different effect by knitting through the back of the loop.

If you want to learn this technique, you must first understand that your stitches in the ready-to-work position have a front and a back. The back is the part of the loop on the side of your needle that is facing away.

When you knit in the usual manner, you need to insert your right needle into the stitch from left to right, lifting an spreading the front of the loop.

Follow these simple steps to knit through the back of the loop:

1. Insert your needle from right to left, with the righthand needle behind the left.
2. Lift and spread the back of the loop, which is on the opposite side of your needle.
3. Finally, wrap your working yarn around the needle and pull a new loop through it.

What Does p1 tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Pull one through the back loop or p1 tbl is pretty much the same as k1 tbl. Like k1 tbl, it also produces a twisted switch. But many knitters believe that this technique is somehow awkward, although it is simple and will give you your desired twist.

Follow these simple steps to purl through the back of the loop:

1. When you are working in a normal manner, you must work with the front part of the stitch, which is the part that is facing you and closest to you on the needle.
2. Insert your needle through the backside of the loop on your left needle.
3. Lift and spread the opposite side of your needle.
4. Wrap your yarn around your needle counterclockwise and pull a new loop through it.
5. Finish knitting your stitch and let the loop drop off your needle.

Take note that you are doing the same steps as regular purling, but you are working with the part of the loop on the back of the needle. You need to make sure you are entering the back of the stitch from left to right, contrast to k1 tbl.

Sometimes, you will see instructions indicating that you go through the stitch from right to left. Many expert knitters believe that doing so will be more awkward and more difficult to manage. But as long as you are consistent with your methods, it does not matter whichever you use.

Knitters usually use p1 tbl in the twisted Stockinette stitch. You can also use this technique in a variety of single ribbing. Take note that it requires an even number of stitches. Follow these simple steps if you want to try this variation:

Row 1: *K1 tbl, p1. Repeat from * across.
Row 2: K1, p1 tbl. Repeat from * across.
Repeat these two rows to finish the pattern.

Another stitch where you can use the p1 tbl is the twisted check. This technique uses both knit and purl stitches worked in the back loops to make a textured pattern. Take note that it requires an odd number of stitches. Follow these simple steps to do a twisted check:

Row 1: K every stitch through the back loop.
Row 2: *K1, p1 tbl. Repeat *, end k1.
Row 3: *P1, k1 tbl. Repeat from *, end p1.
Row 4: *K1, p1 tbl. Repeat *, end k1.
Row 5: K every stitch through the back loop.
Row 6: *P1 tbl, k1. Repeat from *, end p1 tbl.
Row 7: *K1 tbl, p1. Repeat from *, end k1 tbl.
Row 8: *P1 tbl, k1. Repeat from *, end p1 tbl.
Repeat these eight rows to finish the pattern.

Remember that using twisted stitches can make your fabric tighter. You need to make sure that you are always making your gauge swatches to make adjustments as needed.

What Does PS Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

PS or Patent Stitch, more commonly known as Brioche, is a general term referring to a variety of stitch patterns. It includes stitches such as shawl stitch, prime-rib, oriental rib, patent stitch, and shaker knitting. It is a stitch that can intimidate beginners, but it gets easier when you get the hang of it.

What Does sl1yo Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Sl1yo or slip 1, yarn over is one of the basic brioche stitches, but it is not the same as the regular stitch done in a lace pattern. It requires two actions but counts as one stitch. A brk or brp usually follows this stitch.

Follow these steps to do a sl1yo:

1. Hold your yarn in front.
2. Slip the next stitch purlwise.
3. Wrap your yarn over the needle and to the back. Do this step as you slip the stitch from your left to right.

Remember that the slipped stitch and yarnover count as one stitch. They work together as a pair that cannot be separated. Keep this in mind as you work the brk and brp.

What Does brk Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Brk stands for brioche knit, one of the three basic brioche stitches. This technique is like k2tog and is beginner-friendly.

Follow these simple steps to knit a brk stitch:

1. Hold your working yarn to the back of your work. Make sure that the yo stays in place if your previous stitch is a sl1yo.
2. Insert your needle knitwise into the next stitch and the yo, as if to knit. Keep in mind that your slipped stitch and yo count as a single stitch.
3. Knit the stitch and yarnover together.

You should see your brk as the first stitch on your right needle above, including both the slipped stitch and yarnover.

What Does brp Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Like the brk, brp, or brioche purl, this stitch is beginner-friendly and another one of the three basic brioche stitches. This technique is somehow like a p2tog.

Follow these steps to knit the brp stitch:

1. Bring your working yarn to the front of your work. Make sure that your thread stays in its place if your previous stitch is a sl1yo.
2. Insert your needle purlwise into the next stitch and the yarnover, which counts as one stitch.
3. Purl the stitch and yo together as one stitch. You must see the slipped stitch and the yo purled together as the first stitch on your right needle.

What Does brk1 tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

brk1 tbl stands for brioche knit 1 through the back loop. It is one of the twisting stitches wherein you knit the stitch and its yarnover together, going into the back loops.

Knitters usually use this technique in Tunisian knitting, which makes a very firm and even fabric.

Follow these steps to make a one-color Tunisian knitted fabric:

1. Cast on an even number of stitches.
2. Row 1: (wrong side) *sl1yo; repeat from *.
3. Row 2: (right side) *brk1 tbl; repeat from *.
4. Repeat these rows to finish your pattern.

What Does brk2tog Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Brioche knit 2 stitches together, or brk2tog is a stitch decrease that leans to the right. Since you need to treat a stitch and its yo as one stitch, there must be three loops hanging on your needle.

Follow these quick steps to make a brk2tog:

1. Slip one stitch knitwise.
2. Slip the next stitch knitwise
3. Insert your left needle into the front of these two stitches and knit them together.

What Does p2tog tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Purling two stitches together through the back loop, or p2tog tbl, is not an ordinary stitch in knitting. Many knitters rarely use this because of its difficulty. It is a counterintuitive way to decrease stitches on your work’s purl side.

Follow these steps to make the stitch:

1. Approach the two stitches you want to purl together from the back. Do this step from left to right.
2. Cross your wrists behind the work.
3. Insert your needle from the side that is opposite of what you usually do.
4. Slip the point of your right needle in the back of the second and first loop. Do this step from left to right.
5. Wrap the working yarn around your needle in a standard purl.
6. Bring your yarn through the two loops.
7. Finally, let them slide off your right needle.

Many expert knitters remind beginners that it is okay to feel like you are doing it wrong because you are most likely doing it right. Practice this decrease technique, and soon, you will get the hang of it.

What Does sl1 wyib Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Sl1 wyib stands for slip one with yarn in back. You can usually find a wyib technique in patterns where you slip a stitch.

When you see sl1 wyib on your pattern, you need to slip the next stitch from your left to right needle purlwise. You need to do this step without moving your working yarn between the needles.

If you flip your work, you must see the bar behind the stitch you slipped. It must look like a tall stitch.

When you are purling, you need to work your yarn in front. You must move your working yarn to the back between your needles. Slip the next stitch purlwise from left to right needle. Then, move the thread to the front again between your needles to continue purling.

What Does sl1 wyif Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Slip 1 with yarn in front or sl1 wyif is a purlwise stitch worked at the end of the row. It creates a selvage edge, which gives your fabric a neat, finished edge.

When you are knitting, your working yarn must be in the back. Move your thread to the front between your needles. Slip the next stitch purlwise from your left to right needle.

You need to move the thread to the back between the needles to resume your knitting. After doing so, you need to see a little horizontal bar in front of the stitch that you slipped.

When you are purling, your yarn should already be in the front as you purl. You need to leave the working thread in the front and simply slip one stitch purlwise from left to right needle. You must see a bar in front of the stitch that you slipped.

What Does sl3 wyif Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

The most common type of slip many stitches is sl3 wyif or slip 3 stitches with yarn in front. You can usually find this at the end of a row where there are three unworked stitches left.

When you are knitting, your working yarn must be in the back. You need to knit the last three stitches on the row. Bring your thread to the front between your needles. Then, you slip all three remaining stitches from left to right needle. Flip your work after.

Notice that when you turn to work the other side of your project, the thread is three stitches back from the edge. When you start knitting, it will pull the first stitch backward a bit and create a tube of knitting, which is the i-cord.

Meanwhile, you must work with your yarn in front if you are purling. You need to purl to the last three stitches on the row and leave the thread in front. Then, slip the remaining three stitches from left to right needle.

What Does k3tog Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Knit 3 together or k3tog is a multiple decrease technique. This technique is perfect if you want to decrease the stitch count in your fabric. Knitters usually use this decrease in knitting projects such as hats, sweaters, mittens, and gloves.

Follow these simple steps to work k3tog:

1. Insert the tip of your right needle knitwise into the third stitch on your main needle, going knitwise. Next, you insert it through the first stitch. Take note that they must cross each other, forming an “X” with your needle on the bottom.
2. Wrap the yarn over your needle on the bottom. Pull the thread with the needle through both stitches on the main needle.
3. Pull it towards you.
4. Slip all the stitches off your main needle.

What Does k3tog tbl Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Knit 3 stitches together through the back loops or k3tog tbl is a left-leaning double decrease technique.

Follow these simple steps to work a k3tog:

1. Work your way across the row until you reach the point where you want to make the decrease.
2. Insert your right needle knitwise into the back of the nest three stitches on your left needle. Remember to do this stop from right to left.
3. Wrap the yarn around your needle.
4. Pull it through the three stitches.
5. Finally, slide the original three stitches off your left needle.

What Does k4tog Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Knit 4 stitches together or k4tog is one of the common ways to decrease three stitches in your knitting project.

Follow these simple steps to work a k4tog:

1. Knit the first stitch from your left needle.
2. Insert your left needle into the stitch and slip it back to your needle. Be careful not to twist the stitch as you do this step.
3. Pick up the second stitch using your right needle as if to purl.
4. Pass the stitch over the first stitch.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times.
6. Slip the first stitch on your left needle back to the right one as if to purl.

What Does k1b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Knitting into the stitch below or k1b is a technique knitters use to increase stitches in their project. It adds a stitch to the row below the one you are working on.

Follow these simple steps to work a k1b:

1. Insert your needle into the stitch directly below the next stitch on your left needle.
2. Wrap and knit as you usually do, pulling the thread through the stitch.
3. Pull the worked stitch and the stitch above off your needle together.

What Does p2sso Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Pass 2 slipped stitch over, or p2sso is one of the basic decreasing techniques in knitting. To do this technique, you simply insert your left needle into the front of the first and second slipped stitches on your right needle. Then, lift these stitches and place over your first stitch on your right needle.

What Do RS and WS Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

RS stands for the right side while WS stands for the wrong side. If you are just starting to learn knitting, you may notice that there indications for you to knit on the right side or wrong side. It means that you work on the right side (front) or the wrong side (back) of your work.

The right side must be the side that faces out. The wrong side must be the hidden side. There are several ways to identify these sides when working and using a pattern.

One of the simplest and most effective ways of identifying your project’s right and wrong side is to attach a stitch marker to its right side. By doing so, you will quickly tell the difference between the sides, even if they look similar.

You can check for the differences between the two sides. But some stitches will produce the same results on both sides of your work. You can consult some guides to know what the supposed appearance should be for each side.

You can also identify the wrong side in your colorwork, wherein you use many strands of yarn throughout the project. If you frequently switch back and forth to make a colorful pattern on one side, the other side must look very different.

The right side of your colorwork needs to be the side with the colorful pattern and stitching. The wrong side must have the loose strands of thread.

Another way to identify your work’s two sides is to look for the wrong side when changing colors. Changing colors will help you differentiate the right and wrong sides. It will help you even when working on a stitch that produces the same results on both sides.

After you switch colors, you need to continue working the stitches for a row or two. Compare the stitches. Your work’s wrong side must have a gap in the colors, instead of two solid colors beside each other.

What Do c2b and c4b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Cable 2 back or c2b is a basic stitch that creates a right-leaning cable. Follow these simple steps to work a c2b:

1. Slip the first stitch onto your cable needle and hold behind your work.
2. Take your working needle and knit the next stitch from your main needle.
3. Finally, you knit the stitch from your cable needle.

Meanwhile, cable 4 back or c4b is a traditional cable stitch. Like the c2b, it is a right-leaning cable that is small enough that you can use as an allover pattern without overwhelming your knitted piece. Follow these simple steps to work a c4b:

1. Slip the next two stitches on your left needle to the cable needle.
2. Hold your cable needle to the back of the piece.
3. Knit 2 stitches from your left needle.
4. Finally, knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.

Related:

• BS mean on jewelry
• SK mean on crochet
• PM mean on knitting
• STS mean on knitting
• Symbols on gold jewelry meaning

What Does c6b Mean In Knitting And What Is It For?

Knitting cable 6 back or c6b is somehow like working a c4b. Follow these steps to do a c6b:

1. Slip three stitches to the cable needle.
2. Move the cable needle to the back of your work and let it hang there. You do not need to hold it, but if your stitches begin to slip off, you can use a larger one.
3. Knit the next three stitches from your left needle. Slide the stitches on your left needle over a bit, so they do not fall off the tip. Then, drop your left needle.
4. Pick up the cable needle with your left hand and knit the three stitches from the cable needle without twisting it.
5. Finally, put down the cable needle and pick up your left needle to finish the row.