| Abbreviation | Description |
| " | inch(es) |
| ( ) | work instructions within parentheses in the place directed |
| * | repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
| * * | repeat instructions following the asterisks as directed |
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | begin/beginning |
| bet | between |
| BO | bind off |
| C*B | Cable the number of stitches (*) from the back of the work. |
| C*F | Cable the number of stitches (*) from the front of the work. |
| CA | color A |
| CB | color B |
| CC | contrasting color |
| cm | centimeter(s) |
| cn | cable needle |
| CO | cast on |
| cont | continue |
| dec | decrease/decreases/decreasing |
| dpn | double pointed needle(s) |
| fl | front loop(s) |
| foll | follow/follows/following |
| g | gram |
| inc | increase/increases/increasing |
| k or K | knit |
| k2tog | knit 2 stitches together |
| kwise | knitwise |
| LH | left hand |
| lp(s) | loop(s) |
| m | meter(s) |
| M1 | make one stitch |
| M1 p-st | make one purl stitch |
| MC | main color |
| mm | millimeter(s) |
| oz | ounce(s) |
| p or P | purl |
| p2tog | purl 2 stitches together |
| pat(s) or patt | pattern(s) |
| pm | place marker |
| pop | popcorn |
| prev | previous |
| psso | pass slipped stitch over |
| pwise | purlwise |
| rem | remain/remaining |
| rep | repeat(s) |
| rev St st | reverse stockinette stitch |
| RH | right hand |
| rnd(s) | round(s) |
| RS | right side |
| sk | skip |
| sk2p | slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased |
| skp | slip, knit, pass stitch over--one stitch decreased |
| sl | slip |
| sl st | slip stitch(es) |
| sl1k | slip 1 knitwise |
| sl1p | slip 1 purlwise |
| ss | slip stitch (Canadian) |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together--a decrease |
| sssk | slip, slip, slip, knit 3 stitches together |
| St st | stockinette stitch/stocking stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tog | together |
| WS | wrong side |
| wyib | with yarn in back |
| wyif | with yarn in front |
| yd(s) | yard(s) |
| yfwd | yarn forward |
| yo | yarn over |
| yon | yarn over needle |
| yrn | yarn around needle |
| [ ] | work instructions within brackets as many times as directed |
