Knitting Abbreviation Dictionary
Search 60+ knitting abbreviations. Type an abbreviation or keyword to filter instantly.
| Abbreviation | Full Name | Notes |
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How to Use
Type any abbreviation (e.g. k2tog) or keyword (e.g. decrease) in the search box to filter instantly. Abbreviations follow standard US/international knitting terminology.
About Knitting Abbreviations
Knitting patterns use shorthand to keep instructions compact. While most abbreviations are standardized, some designers use their own terms — always check the pattern's key when provided.
About this Knitting Abbreviation Dictionary
Knitting patterns compress instructions into standardized shorthand — k (knit), p (purl), yo (yarn over), k2tog and ssk (decreases) — to keep row-by-row directions readable instead of spelling out every stitch individually.
Decrease abbreviations lean in different directions
k2tog leans the resulting stitch to the right, while ssk leans it to the left — a distinction that matters for symmetrical shaping like raglan increases or decreases on either side of a garment. See the pattern reading guide for how abbreviations fit into the overall structure of a written pattern.