Knitting & Crocheting All-in-One For Dummies
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When you first get started knitting and crocheting, it can feel like you’re immersing yourself into a foreign land with its own language, symbols, and culture. But with this cheat sheet, you’ll feel like a native in no time. In it you’ll find lists of the abbreviations and symbols you’ll see most often while reading patterns and instructions.

knitting and crocheting ©Kostikova Natalia

Common Knitting Abbreviations

Abbreviation What It Means Abbreviation What It Means
beg beginning pwise purlwise (as if to purl)
CC contrasting color rem remain(s) or remaining
ch chain rep repeat
cn cable needle RH right-hand
dec decrease(s), decreased, or decreasing RS right side(s)
dpns double-pointed needles rnd(s) round(s)
foll follows or following sc single crochet
inc increase(s), increased, or increasing sl slip, slipped, or slipping
k knit sl st slip stitch
k2tog knit 2 stitches together ssk slip, slip, knit the slipped stitches together
k-b knit in stitch below St st stockinette stitch
kwise knitwise (as if to knit) st(s) stitch(es)
LH left-hand tbl through the back of the loop
lp(s) loop(s) tog together
MC main color WS wrong side(s)
m1 (or m) make 1 stitch (increase 1 stitch) wyib with yarn in back
p purl wyif with yarn in front
pat(s) pattern(s) yb yarn back
p-b purl in stitch below yf yarn forward
pm place marker yo yarn over
psso pass slipped stitch over (used for decreasing)

Common Crocheting Abbreviations

Abbreviation What It Means Abbreviation What It Means
dec (xx2tog) decrease(s)(d)(ing) rnd(s) round(s)
dtr double triple crochet RS right side
flp front loop only rib ribbing
foll follow(ing) rnd(s) round(s)
FP front post RS right side
hdc half double crochet sc single crochet
inc increase(s)(d)(ing) sl st slip stitch
MC main color st(s) stitch(es)
patt pattern tog together
rem remaining tr triple crochet
rep repeat WS wrong side
rib ribbing yo yarn over the hook

Crochet Stitch Diagram Symbols

knitting crocheting symbols

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Pam Allen is a knitwear designer and founder of Quince & Co.

Shannon Okey is an author and knitwear designer. Find her at knitgrrl.com.

Tracy L. Barr is a professional writer and editor.

Marlaina "Marly" Bird hosts her own YouTube channel, where she instructs viewers on knitting and crochet.

Pam Allen is a knitwear designer and founder of Quince & Co.

Shannon Okey is an author and knitwear designer. Find her at knitgrrl.com.

Tracy L. Barr is a professional writer and editor.

Marlaina "Marly" Bird hosts her own YouTube channel, where she instructs viewers on knitting and crochet.

Tracy Barr is the coauthor of Adoption For Dummies and Latin For Dummies. Lodge Manufacturing is America's oldest family-owned cookware manufacturer and the sole domestic cast-iron cookware foundry.

Pam Allen is a knitwear designer and founder of Quince & Co.

Shannon Okey is an author and knitwear designer. Find her at knitgrrl.com.

Tracy L. Barr is a professional writer and editor.

Marlaina "Marly" Bird hosts her own YouTube channel, where she instructs viewers on knitting and crochet.

Karen Manthey edits crochet diagrams for numerous books, magazines, yarn companies, and designers.

Susan Brittain was an assistant editor for Crochet Fantasy magazine.

Karen Manthey edits crochet diagrams for numerous books, magazines, yarn companies, and designers.

Susan Brittain was an assistant editor for Crochet Fantasy magazine.

Pam Allen is a knitwear designer and founder of Quince & Co.

Shannon Okey is an author and knitwear designer. Find her at knitgrrl.com.

Tracy L. Barr is a professional writer and editor.

Marlaina "Marly" Bird hosts her own YouTube channel, where she instructs viewers on knitting and crochet.

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