If you are a beginner looking at a crochet or knitting pattern, the first time
your eyes will roll. What the heck is it saying? Traditionally these patterns
use abbreviations. I will explain in fully detail what they mean.
Special Tip: When you are beginning to learn the art of crocheting, its a good idea (to confuse yourself less) to write what the abbreviations mean in long hand. After I print out a pattern, I write in the margin, in long hand, what the abbreviations mean. Use this table to decipher the crochet or knitting pattern code!
ABBREVIATIONS
A:
alt – alternate
approx – approximately
B:
beg – begin or beginning
bet – between
BL/bk lp – back loop(s)
BLO – back loop only
bo – bobble
BO – bind off
BP – back post
BPdc – back post double crochet(s)
BPsc – back post single crochet(s)
BPtr – back post triple crochet(s)
C:
CA – color A
CB – color B
CC – contrasting color
ch(s) – chain(s)
ch-space = space previously made
ch- – refers to chain previously made/worked
ch-sp – chain space
CL(s) – cluster(s)
cm – centimeter
cn – cable needle
cont – continue
CO – cast on cont
D:
dc – double crochet
dc2tog – double crochet 2 stitches together
dec – decrease
DP or dpn – double pointed needle(s)
dtr/dtrc – double triple/treble crochet
E:
ea – each
est – established
ext – extension
F:
FLO – front loop only
foll – follow
FP – front post
FPdc – front post double crochet(s)
FPsc – front post single crochet(s)
FPtr/FPtrc – front post triple/treble crochet(s)
FL/ft lp – front loop(s)
G:
g or gr – grams
grp(s) – groups
H:
hdc – half double crochet(s)
hk – hook
I:
inc – increase
in(s) or ” – inch(es)
K:
k – knit
k1b – knit 1 in the row below
k1b – knit through the back loop
k2tog – knit 2 together
k2togb – Knit 2 stitches together through back loop
k3tog – knit 3 together
k3togb – Knit 3 stitches together through back loop
Kfb – knit in front and back of st
L:
LH – left hand needle
lp(s) – loop(s)
lp st – loop stitch
M:
MC – main color
M1 -make one
M2 – make two
m – meters
mm – millimeters
meas – measure(s)
N
ndl(s) – needle(s)
O:
oz – ounce(s)
opp – opposite
P:
pat(s) – pattern(s)
PC(s) – popcorn(s)
pm – placemaker
prev – previous
prev – previous
psso – pass slipped stitch over
p2sso – pass 2 slipped sts over
p – purl
p-wise – purl-wise, or as though to purl
p1b – purl through the back loop
p2tog – purl 2 together
p2togb – purl 2 together in back
p3tog – purl 3 together
PU – pick up
R:
rf – right front
rem – remain
rep – repeat(s)
rev sc/reverse sc – reverse single crochet
rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
RH – right hand needle
Rev St st – reverse stockinette stitch
rsc – reverse single crochet
S:
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sc3tog – single crochet 3 together
sk – skip(ped)
sk2p – Slip 1, k2tog, pass sl st over
sl st – slip stitch
sp(s) – space(s)
SP or spn – single-pointed needles
st(s) – stitch(es)
St st – stockinette stitch
skp – slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
sl – slip
slip1-k1-psso – slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over
sm – slip marker
sq(s) – square(s)
ssk – slip, slip, knit
T:
tbl – through the back loop
tch/t-ch – turning chain
tog – together
tr/trc – treble/triple crochet
tr tr/trtrc – triple treble crochet/triple triple crochet(s)
W:
WS – wrong side
wyib – with yarn in back
wyif – with yarn in front
X:
X-st – cross-stitch
Y:
YB or ytb – yarn to back of work
YF or ytf – yarn to front of work
yd – yard(s)
yo – yarn over
yoh – yarn over hook
YRN – yarn round needle
What does the asterisk ( * ) mean when you see it in a crochet or knitting pattern?
It’s used to show you how many times to repeat the instructions. It will also indicate a number of how many times to repeat.
What does the ( ) Parentheses mean when you see them in a crochet or knitting pattern?
When you see this in a pattern, it means that you do what the pattern says directly after it. Example (sk2p). Parentheses are also used to provide additional information.
