Abbreviation & Stitch Glossary
Search the included knitting and crochet abbreviations with US/UK references and selected step-by-step notes.
Search the included knitting and crochet abbreviation entries and read their definitions.
Using the abbreviation glossary
Search the included knitting and crochet abbreviation entries and read their definitions.
Scope of this tool
A familiar abbreviation can have a different meaning in another pattern or region. The glossary does not establish the source convention from the text.
Method and reference
The glossary is a finite reference, not a parser for every pattern convention. Pattern-specific abbreviation keys take precedence.
Abbreviation and Stitch Glossary
How to Search Knitting Abbreviations
Stitch Abbreviation Reference and Definitions
Showing 77 of 77 entries. Click any stitch with a ▶ steps badge to see a quick diagram.
Insert needle knitwise, wrap yarn, pull through.
Insert needle purlwise, wrap yarn, pull through.
One or more loops on the needle/hook.
The public-facing side of your work.
The back/inside of your work.
Creating initial stitches on the needle.
Securing stitches to prevent unraveling. Also: cast off.
Wrap yarn around needle to create a new stitch and decorative hole.
Move a stitch from left to right needle without working it.
Knit: slip without working. Crochet: insert hook, pull through loop on hook.
Put a stitch marker on the needle/in the stitch.
Move the marker from left to right needle.
Knit into front then back of same stitch. Creates 2 stitches from 1.
Lift the bar between stitches and knit into it. Nearly invisible increase.
Left-leaning lifted increase. Pick up bar front-to-back, knit through back.
Right-leaning lifted increase. Pick up bar back-to-front, knit through front.
Add one or more stitches. Method varies by pattern.
Insert needle through 2 stitches at once, knit as one. Right-leaning decrease.
Insert needle through 2 stitches purlwise, purl as one.
Slip 2 knitwise, knit together through back. Left-leaning decrease.
Slip 2 knitwise, return, purl together through back.
Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. Left-leaning decrease.
Double decrease. Slip 1, K2tog, pass slipped stitch over.
Centered double decrease.
Remove one or more stitches. Method varies.
Slip 2 together, K1, pass slipped stitches over.
Work into the back leg of the stitch instead of the front.
Bring working yarn to front of work before next action.
Keep working yarn behind work before next action.
Short needle used to hold stitches for cables.
Slip 2 to CN, hold front, K2, K2 from CN. Left-leaning cable.
Slip 2 to CN, hold back, K2, K2 from CN. Right-leaning cable.
Work multiple stitches into one, then decrease back. Creates a 3D bump.
Vintage term for yarn over (YO) in knitting. Wrap yarn completely around the right needle. Check the pattern key and surrounding stitches.
Vintage knitting term equivalent to yarn over (YO). Take yarn over the top of the right needle.
Bring the yarn to the front between needles. Whether this creates a yarn over depends on the next stitch and the pattern key.
Old British term for yarn over. Identical to YO, wrap the yarn over the needle. Check the pattern key rather than inferring its date.
Old British term for yarn forward. Bring the wool to the front of the work between the needles.
Old British term for yarn round needle. Wrap the wool completely around the needle. Same as YRN/YO.
Old British equivalent of yarn over needle. Take the wool over the top of the right needle.
Vintage term meaning take the yarn to the back of the work. Modern equivalent: yarn back (yb).
Yarn over, pull through loop on hook. Foundation of most crochet.
Insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
YO, insert hook, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops.
YO, insert hook, pull up loop, (YO, pull through 2) twice.
YO twice, insert hook, pull up loop, (YO, pull through 2) three times.
YO three times, insert hook, (YO, pull through 2) four times.
Creates foundation chain and first row of DC simultaneously.
Creates foundation chain and first row of SC simultaneously.
Work 2 single crochets into the same stitch. Adds 1 stitch.
Work 2 double crochets into the same stitch.
Multiple stitches (usually 5 DC) worked into one stitch. Creates a fan shape.
Standard single crochet decrease over two stitches. Insert, pull up, insert next, pull up, YO, pull through all. The front-loop-only invisible decrease is a different method.
Work 2 incomplete DC, then join at the top.
Insert through front loops only of 2 stitches. Tighter than SC2tog, preferred for amigurumi.
YO, insert hook around the post from the front. Creates raised texture.
YO, insert hook around the post from the back. Creates indented texture.
Insert hook around the post from front. Subtle raised texture.
Multiple half-finished HDC in one stitch, joined at top. Puffy and squishy.
Multiple incomplete DC in one stitch, joined at top. Protrudes from RS.
5 complete DC in one stitch, then fold and join first to last.
(DC, CH1, DC) in same stitch. Creates a V shape.
The secondary color(s) in a colorwork pattern.
The primary/background color in a colorwork pattern.
Work the bracketed or asterisked section again.
One complete circuit when working in the round.
Miss the next stitch. Do not work into it.
The gap created by chain stitches in the previous row.
Work two or more stitches as one. Usually a decrease.
Insert hook under back loop only. Creates a ridged texture.
Insert hook under front loop only. Creates a ridged texture.
Chain(s) at the start of a row to match the height of the first stitch.
Adjustable starting ring for working in the round. Closes completely with no hole.
Cut yarn, pull through last loop to secure.
Thread tail through yarn needle and work into fabric to secure.
Finish a project using its pattern and product care instructions; test the intended treatment on a representative swatch.
Number of stitches and rows per inch/cm. UK: tension.
How to use it
Search the term and use the available craft or category filters.
Check whether the source pattern uses US or UK crochet terminology before applying a definition.
Read the result
A familiar abbreviation can have a different meaning in another pattern or region. The glossary does not establish the source convention from the text.
Check before using the result
- ✓Follow the exact pattern and product instructions.
- ✓Make a representative swatch or sample when fit, dimensions, or material behavior matters.
Worked Example
SK2P is slip one, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over: a double decrease with left lean. It is not the same maneuver as a centered double decrease.
References and Industry Standards
- Craft Yarn Council, Yarn Weight System, Industry-standard yarn weight categories and gauge ranges
- Craft Yarn Council, Needle & Hook Sizes, Standard sizing charts for knitting needles and crochet hooks
- Ravelry, Yarn database, pattern library, and community for fiber artists
Related Fiber Arts Tools
UK/US Converter
Replace supported modern UK and US crochet terms in pasted text using a one-pass mapping; all other text is left unchanged.
Stitch Reference
Visual step-by-step reference for the included common stitches, with yarn overs, pull-throughs, loop counts, and turning-chain notes.
Needle Converter
Look up entries in the included knitting-needle and crochet-hook size tables; confirm metric diameter and current manufacturer labeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my pattern defines an abbreviation differently?
Follow the pattern-specific key and construction instructions. This glossary covers selected common terms only.
Are UK and US crochet terms the same?
No. For example, UK double crochet corresponds to US single crochet. Confirm the source convention before translating.
Does the glossary convert an entire pattern?
No. It searches definitions. Use the separate bounded UK/US converter for supported terms after confirming the source convention.
Keep your place while you work
Use the FiberTools stitch counter for rows, rounds, repeats, and local project notes.