Knit and Crochet Abbreviations

There are many knit and crochet abbreviations in use. Sometimes the same action will have more than one name; other times the same name will be used to describe different actions.

Here are a few pretty standard abbreviations. Be sure to read your pattern carefully, because it will probably tell you exactly what they mean by the abbreviations they use.

beg = begin(ning)
bet = between
CC = contrast color
ch = chain
cm = centimeter
cn = cable needle
cont = continue
dec = decrease
dc = double crochet
dpn = double-pointed needle
foll = follow
g = gram
inc = increase
k = knit
k1 = knit 1
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
k3tog = knit 3 stitches together
kwise = knit-wise; as if to knit
LH = left-hand
lp = loop
LT = left twist
m = meter
MC = main color
mm = millimeter
M1 = make one (increase 1 stitch by lifting strand between last stitch worked and next stitch from the front onto the left-hand needle, knit into back loop of lifted strand)
p = purl
p1 = purl 1
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
p3tog = purl 3 stitches together
pat = pattern
pm = place marker
psso = pass slipped stitch(es) over
p2sso = pass 2 slipped stitches over
pwise = purl-wise; as if to purl
rem = remain(ing)
rep = repeat
rev = reverse
RH = right-hand
rnd = round
RS = right side
RT = right twist
sc = single crochet
SKP = slip 1 stitch knit-wise, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch
sl = slip
sl st = slip 1 stitch from left-hand needle to right-hand needle as if to purl
ssk = one at a time, slip two stitches knit-wise, then insert left needle into the front of both stitches from the top, and knit them together
St st = stockinette stitch
st = stitch
tbl = through back loop
tog = together
WS = wrong side
wyib = with yarn in back
wyif = with yarn in front
YO = yarn over (bring yarn over needle from the front, creating an extra stitch)
* = repeat instructions from * as many times as specified
** = repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as specified
[ ] = repeat instructions between brackets as many times as specified