Knitting goes beyond simply grabbing needles and yarn—it demands familiarity with specialized terms and abbreviations. As a beginner, these can feel cryptic, but they soon become intuitive with practice. Drawing from years of crafting expertise at DIY Network, we've curated this reliable reference to help you master your knits and purls.
* repeat the instructions that follow the * (asterisk) the specified number of times
[] repeat the instructions inside the brackets the specified number of times
alt alternate
BO bind off (also known as cast off)
CC contrast color
CO cast on
cont continue
dec decrease
DP double pointed
dpns double pointed needles
foll following
in inch(es)
inc increase
K or k knit
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
MC main color
P or p purl
p2tog purl 2 stitches together
pat pattern
PSSO pass slipped stitch over
SKP slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over
sl slip a stitch
sl st slip stitch
ssk slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through the back loops
st(s) stitch(es)
St st stockinette stitch
reps repeats
rem remaining
RS right side
WS wrong side
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
yf yarn forward
yb yarn back
Here are common (and some specialized) terms used in knitting projects.
Aran knit: A technique combining cables and textured stitches in a solid color (often white), named for the Aran Islands off Ireland's west coast.
Continental method: Also known as picking, a style where the yarn is held in the left hand.
Felting: A process where knitted wool is agitated in hot water to shrink and mat the fibers into a dense fabric.
Gauge: The number of stitches and rows per inch using the recommended yarn weight and stitch pattern.
Intarsia (in-tar'-see-uh): Technique for knitting large blocks of color; from Italian intarsio, meaning inlay.
Stitch key: Legend explaining symbols on a chart, like a map key.
Stockinette (or stocking) stitch: Alternating knit rows (flat piece) and purl rows on the wrong side; a knitting basic.
Tail: The loose end of the yarn.
Throwing: Knitting technique where yarn is held in the right hand; also called English method.
Working yarn: The portion of yarn actively being knitted.
