Translation table: English knitting terms made easy
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Time to read 4 min
Do you have an English pattern and don't understand the abbreviations? I'd be happy to help. Here you'll find a translation table of all English knitting terms.
I love independent and international designs and would like to knit them all.
You'll see—with my clear table and a few tricks, you can easily follow the instructions in your English pattern.
Further down, you'll find a handy PDF that you can print out and put in your project bag, so you have all the terms at hand immediately.
The most important terms are listed separately. I have translated all the abbreviations into German for you.
Things to keep in mind:
Start with a simple pattern, preferably one for beginners, to familiarize yourself with the subject of English patterns.
Don't be afraid of the abbreviations; they look more complicated than they are.
Follow your pattern step by step, and ideally read through everything once at the beginning.
Contents
"My tip: start with a simple pattern, preferably one for beginners, to familiarize yourself with the basic English knitting terms."
The most important basic English knitting terms
These knitting terms appear in every English pattern; you'll learn and recognize them quickly:
| k | knit | knit |
| p | purl | purl |
| BOR | beginning of round | beginning of round |
| purl | co / bo | cast on / bind off |
| inc | increase | increase |
| dec | decrease | decrease |
| r / rnd | row / round | row / round |
| RS | right side | right side / front |
| WS | wrong side | wrong side / back |
| slip stitch | st | stitch |
All knitting terms in one table
Discover all the English knitting abbreviations with their translations here. Clearly organized in alphabetical order.
| alt | alternately | alternately |
| appr | approximately | approximately |
| beg | beginning | beginning |
| bet | between | between |
| bl | back loop | back loop |
| bar increase | bar increase | |
| bo | bind off | fasten off |
| to block | to block | |
| bobble | bobble | |
| border | edge | |
| BOR | beginning of round | beginning of round |
| to break off / break yarn | break yarn | |
| brioche stitch | brioche stitch | |
| cab | cable | cable |
| to cast off | fasten off | |
| cn | cable needle | cable needle |
| CC | contrast color | contrast color |
| CO | cast on | cast on |
| center stitch | center stitch | |
| chart | chart | |
| circular knitting | knit in the round | |
| collar | collar | |
| to cross | to cross / cross | |
| cuff | cuff | |
| dec / inc | decrease / increase | decrease / increase |
| dpn(s) | double-pointed needles | double-pointed needles |
| ds | double stitch | double stitch |
| drop stitch | drop stitch | |
| ease | ease | |
| edge | edge |
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| fasten off | fasten off | |
| fl | front loop | front loop |
| gauge | swatch | |
| gusset | gusset / wedge (underarm) | |
| GSR | German short rows | short rows |
| inc | increase | increase |
| inst | instruction | description |
| k | knit | knit |
| k2tog | knit 2 together | slip slip knit |
| kfb | knit into front and back of stitch | knit into front and back of stitch |
| kbl | knit through back loop | knit through back loop |
| kitchener stitch | kitchener stitch | |
| kwise | knitwise | knitwise |
| leave stitches on holder | leave stitches on holder | |
| lp | loop | loop |
| M | marker | marker |
| MC | main colour | main colour |
| M1 | make one | make one |
| M1r | make 1 stitch right | make 1 stitch right |
| M1l | make 1 stitch left | make 1 stitch left |
| moss stitch | seed stitch | |
| neckline | neckline | |
| needle size | needle size | |
| odd rows | odd rows | |
| provisional cast on | provisional cast on | |
| p | to purl | purl |
| patt | pattern | pattern / instructions |
| pfb | purl into front and back of stitch | purl into front and back of stitch |
| pm | place marker | place marker |
| pr | previous row | previous row |
| psso | pass slipped stitch(es) over | pass slipped stitch(es) over |
| ptbl | purl through back loop | purl through back loop |
| pwise | purlwise | purlwise |
| p2tog | purl 2 stitches together | slip slip purl |
| rem | remaining | remaining |
| rep | repeat | repeat (pattern repeat) |
| reverse stockinette stitch | reverse stockinette stitch | |
| ribbing | ribbing | |
| rnd / R | round | round |
| r | row | row |
| RS | right side | right side / front |
| seam | seam | |
| selvedge stitch | selvedge stitch | |
| seed stitch | seed stitch | |
| short rows | short rows | |
| sk | to skip | skip |
| skp | slip, knit psso | slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over |
| sk2p | slip, knit 2tog, psso | slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over |
| sm | slip marker | slip marker |
| sl | to slip a stitch | slip a stitch |
| sl1k | slip 1 knitwise | slip 1 knitwise |
| sl1p | slip 1 purlwise | slip 1 purlwise |
| ssk | slip slip knit | slip slip knit |
| ssp | slip slip purl | slip slip purl |
| slip stitch | slip stitch | |
| slip stitch | st | stitch |
| stitch | stockinette stitch | |
| knit stockinette stitch | swatch | |
| gauge swatch | tbl | through back loop |
| through back loop | tfl | through front loop |
| through front loop | tog | together |
| together | turn | |
| tw | turn word | turn the work |
| to wrap | wrap | |
| WIP | work in progress | work in progress |
| WS | wrong side | wrong side / back |
| wyib | with yarn in back | with yarn behind the work |
| wyif | with yarn in front | with yarn in front of the work |
| yarn | yarn | |
| yd(s) | yard(s) | yard(s) (1 yard = 0.9144 m) |
| yo | yarn over | yarn over |
Features of English knitting patterns
Does your English knitting pattern seem like a book with seven seals—the many symbols confuse you? Don’t let that put you off: English patterns are often written in text and use many abbreviations. Once you know the abbreviations, it’s really easy.
It’s best to print out my overview of the abbreviations, so you can look something up immediately whenever you don’t know it.
Conclusion
English knitting patterns are simply part of the hobby. Be brave and give it a try—your project is sure to turn out beautifully.
Print out the PDF so you always have your translation table at hand.
Just get started and work your way through it step by step. Translate the abbreviations and try to memorize them. Many abbreviations are repeated.
You’re sure to be happy with your dream project, and you can also knit international designs.
Post by Rabea
I’m Rabea, an architect by profession and a passionate knitter. Since 2023, my husband Christoph and I have devoted ourselves entirely to our online shop.
