Australia has the pleasure of having its own patterns as well as using patterns from many other countries including the USA and UK. That can lead to confusion regarding abbreviations used, as different countries use different terms.
This is by no means an exhaustive list but is what Ecoyarns use for their patterns and kits.
Please contact us if there is any queries or an abbreviation to add to this list.
Abbreviations | Description |
[ ] | work instructions within brackets as many times as directed |
( ) | work instructions within parentheses in the place directed |
* * | repeat instructions following the asterisks as directed |
* | repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
" | inch(es) |
alt | alternate |
approx | approximately |
beg | begin/beginning |
bet | between |
BO | Bind off/Cast off |
CA | color A |
CB | color B |
CC | contrasting color |
cm | centimeter(s) |
cn | cable needle |
CO | cast on |
cont | continue |
dec | decrease/decreases/decreasing |
dpn | double pointed needle(s) |
fl | front loop(s) |
foll | follow/follows/following |
g | gram |
inc | increase/increases/increasing |
k or K | knit |
k2tog | knit 2 stitches together |
kwise | knitwise |
LH | left hand |
lp(s) | loop(s) |
m | meter(s) |
M1 | make one stitch |
M1 p-st | make one purl stitch |
MC | main color |
mm | millimeter(s) |
p or P | purl |
pat(s) or patt | pattern(s) |
pm | place marker |
pop | popcorn |
p2tog | purl 2 stitches together |
prev | previous |
psso | pass slipped stitch over |
pwise | purlwise |
rem | remain/remaining |
rep | repeat(s) |
rev St st | reverse stockinette stitch |
RH | right hand |
rnd(s) | round(s) |
RS | right side |
sk | skip |
skp | slip1, knit 1, pass stitch over—one stitch decreased |
sk2p | slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased |
sl | slip |
sl1k | slip 1 knitwise |
sl1p | slip 1 purlwise |
sl st | slip stitch(es) |
ss | slip stitch (Canadian) |
ssk | slip, slip, knit these 2 stiches together—a decrease |
sssk | slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together |
st(s) | stitch(es) |
St st | stockinette stitch/stocking stitch |
tbl | through back loop |
tog | together |
WS | wrong side |
wyib | with yarn in back |
wyif | with yarn in front |
yd(s) | yard(s) |
yfwd | yarn forward |
yo | yarn over |
yrn | yarn around needle |