Understanding Knitting Terms: A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Patterns
Introduction: Decoding the Language of Knitting
Understanding Knitting Terms and patterns are like a secret code—full of abbreviations, symbols, and special instructions that can feel overwhelming at first. If you’ve ever picked up a pattern and thought, “What does K2tog even mean?”, you’re not alone!
The good news? Once you learn a few key knitting terms, reading patterns becomes much easier. In this guide, I’ll break down the most common knitting abbreviations and pattern instructions so you can follow any pattern with confidence.
1️⃣ Why Do Knitting Patterns Use Abbreviations?
Knitting patterns use shorthand to make instructions clearer and more compact. Imagine if every row of a pattern was written out in full sentences—it would be pages long and difficult to follow!
By using abbreviations and symbols, designers keep patterns concise and easy to reference while knitting.
📌 Beginner Tip: Keep a knitting glossary handy when starting a new pattern so you can quickly look up terms.
📸 Picture This: A cozy knitting scene with a pattern book open, knitting needles in hand, and a knitting term cheat sheet nearby.
2️⃣ Common Knitting Abbreviations and Their Meanings
Here are some of the most essential knitting abbreviations you’ll find in almost every pattern:
| Abbreviation | Meaning | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| CO | Cast On | Adds stitches to your needle to start a project. |
| K | Knit | The most basic stitch. |
| P | Purl | The second basic stitch that creates texture. |
| BO (or CO off) | Bind Off | Finishes the project by securing stitches. |
| St(s) | Stitch(es) | The number of loops on your needle. |
| Rep | Repeat | Tells you to repeat a sequence of stitches. |
| Sl | Slip | Moves a stitch from one needle to another without knitting it. |
| YO | Yarn Over | Creates an extra stitch (used in lace knitting). |
| K2tog | Knit Two Together | A common decrease method. |
| SSK | Slip, Slip, Knit | Another decrease method for shaping. |
📌 Beginner Tip: Write these abbreviations on index cards and use them as flashcards to memorize them!
📸 Picture This: A side-by-side comparison of knitting stitches labeled with abbreviations like K, P, YO, and K2tog.
3️⃣ How to Read Knitting Pattern Instructions
Knitting patterns often mix abbreviations with symbols to create step-by-step instructions. Let’s break it down:
🧶 Row Instructions
- Example: “Row 1: K5, P5” → Knit 5 stitches, then purl 5 stitches.
📌 Brackets & Parentheses
- Example: “(K2, P2) repeat 4 times” → Knit 2, purl 2, then repeat the sequence 4 times.
⭐ Asterisks & Repeats
- Example: *“K1, P1 to end of row” → Knit 1, Purl 1, then repeat until the row is finished.
📏 Gauge Information
- Example: “Gauge: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4 inches”
- This tells you how many stitches and rows should fit within 4 inches.
📌 Beginner Tip: Always read through a pattern before you start knitting to get familiar with the layout.
📸 Picture This: A knitting pattern page with highlighted instructions, showing where repeats and special terms appear.
4️⃣ Special Knitting Terms You’ll See in Patterns
Besides basic abbreviations, some patterns include special instructions to help with shaping and design.
🔄 RS & WS (Right Side / Wrong Side)
- RS (Right Side): The “front” of your work, the side that will be visible when finished.
- WS (Wrong Side): The “back” of your work, often hidden inside.
⬆️ Work Even
- Keep knitting without increasing or decreasing stitches.
🪡 Pick Up Stitches
- Add stitches along an edge, like in necklines or borders.
📏 Gauge Swatch (Tension Swatch)
- A small test square that ensures your stitches match the pattern’s recommended size.
Knitting Gauge Made Simple: How to Get the Perfect Fit Every Time
📌 Beginner Tip: If a pattern says “Work RS row,” it means you should be knitting on the front (public) side of the fabric.
📸 Picture This: A piece of knitting flipped over to show the RS (smooth) and WS (bumpy) sides.
5️⃣ How to Practice Reading a Pattern
If you’re new to following patterns, start small! Here are some tips to practice and improve:
✔️ Begin with a simple dishcloth or scarf pattern to get used to instructions.
✔️ Use a highlighter to mark repeats or tricky sections.
✔️ Look up video tutorials that break down pattern reading (check out my YouTube!).
✔️ Don’t be afraid to ask for help in knitting communities or forums!
📌 Beginner Tip: Try rewriting a simple pattern in your own words to make it easier to follow!
📸 Picture This: A notebook with a knitting pattern rewritten in plain English, next to a pair of knitting needles and yarn.
Conclusion: Reading Knitting Patterns is Easier Than You Think!
Once you learn the basic knitting terms and abbreviations, patterns become much easier to read and follow. Start with simple patterns, take your time, and soon you’ll be knitting complex designs with confidence!
➡️ Next Steps:
📌 Learn more about yarn types in my Beginner’s Guide to Yarn.
📌 Get my FREE mindful knitting video to create a calming, stress-free knitting experience: Sign up here!
📌 Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for beginner-friendly tutorials.
📌 Follow me on Instagram for daily knitting inspiration!
