Tips and Tricks and More: What on earth does this designer mean?

”. ............................ inches

( )........................... repeat instructions between ( ) as many times as noted afterward

[ ]........................... repeat instructions between [ ] as many times as noted after brackets

* ............................ repeat instructions following single * as directed

*…*......................... repeat all instructions between asterisks

2dtr cl...................... 2-stitch double treble cluster

AC........................... alternate color

alt........................... alternate

altog........................ altogether

approx..................... approximately

At the Same Time..... Two techniques will be performed at the same time, such as shaping the neck and shoulder. Read ahead so that you understand the pattern instructions.

bar.......................... strand of yarn in between two stitches. Also know as a ladder.

BB........................... back bed

beg......................... begin[ning]

beg M...................... beginning marker

bet.......................... between

bl............................      bobble stitch

BL or bk lp................ back loop[s]

BLO......................... back loop only

BO........................... bind off [cast off]

bo........................... bobble

BP........................... back post

bpd......................... back post double crochet

BPdc or bpdc............. back post double crochet

BPHDC..................... back post half double crochet

BPsc........................ back post single crochet

BPtr or BP TR............ back post treble crochet

brdst........................ braid stitch

btwn........................ between

CA........................... color A

cab.......................... cable

carr.......................... carriage

CB........................... color B

CC........................... color C

cdd.......................... centered double decrease. Slip 2 stitches together [not one stitch at a time], knit 1, pass the slipped stitches together over knitted stitch

ch-.......................... refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space

ch-8 lp..................... chain-8 loop

ch-sp....................... chain space. Space previously made.

ch[s]........................ chain stitch[es]

cit............................ citrus stitch

ckr........................... checker stitch

CL........................... cluster

cm........................... centimeter[s]

cn............................ cable needle

CO.......................... cast on

COL......................... carriage on left

con.......................... contrast

cont......................... continue [ing]

COR........................ carriage on right

CR DC...................... crossed double crochet

CR ST...................... cross stitch

cross2L.................... cross 2 stitches to the left (to work a cable). Slip 2 stitches purlwise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in front of work as you knit the next 2 stitches; then knit stitches off of cable needle.

cross2R.................... cross 2 stitches to the right (to work a cable). slip 2 stitches purlwise onto a cable needle, let cable needle hang in back of work as you knit the next 2 stiches; then knit stitches off of cable needle.

dbl.......................... double

dbl shell................... double shell stitch

dc............................ double crochet

dc2tog or DC DEC...... double crochet 2 stitches together

dec.......................... decrease[s][ing]

DK........................... double knitting weight yarn. This is slightly finer than worsted weight. [Note: there is a knitting method called double knitting]

DNT......................... do not turn

dpn or dp................. double pointed needle[s]

dsc.......................... double single crochet

dtr or dtrc................. double triple/treble crochet

E or ER..................... every row

E/N or EON................ every other needle

E/R or EOR................ every other row

ea........................... each

edc.......................... extended double crochet

ehdc........................ extended half double crochet

EOS......................... every other stitch

esc.......................... extended single crochet

est.......................... establish[ed]

ev........................... every

ext.......................... extention

FB........................... front bed

fbb.......................... front back bobble

FC........................... front cross [when working cables — cable needle hangs in front as you work]

feeder 1(a)............... main yarn feeder. Usually holds main color.

feeder 1(b)............... secondary yarn feeder. Usually holds contrast color.

FF............................ full[y] fashion[ed]

FF dec...................... fully fashioned decrease. To decrease 1 stitch, use two prong transfer tool inwards by 1 needle. This may also be done using three prong tool.

FF inc....................... fully fashioned increase. To increase 1 stitch, use two prong transfer tool and move the two edge stitches outwards by 1 needle. Pick up top of stitch from row below and hang on empty needle.

fig........................... figure

fin........................... finish[ed]

Fing......................... fingering weight

FL or ft lp.................. front loop[s]

fl[s]......................... front loop[s]

Flg........................... flag stitch

FLO......................... front loop only

FNP.......................... first needle position

FNR......................... full needle rib

FO........................... finished object

Foll.......................... follow[s][ing]

FP........................... front post

fpd.......................... front post double crochet

FPdc or fpdc.............. front post double crochet

FPHDC..................... front post half double crochet

FPsc or fpsc............... front post single crochet

FPtr, fptr, FP tr, or FPtrc    front post treble crochet

frog[ging]................. unraveling yarn from knitting project

FSC......................... foundation single crochet

G............................. gauge

g or gr...................... gram[s]

G-bar or G.B. ............ garter bar

G-carr or G.C. ........... garter carriage

grp[s]...................... group[s]

GS or g st................. garter stitch

H/P.......................... half pitch

hdc.......................... half double crochet

hdc2tog or hdc dec..... half double crochet decrease

hk........................... hook

HP........................... hold position. Needles are placed in most forward extended position and carriage is set to hold or partial knit. Needles in HP will not knit.

htr........................... half treble crochet

I-cord...................... Idiot cord. I-cord should be worked on double pointed needles. When working I-cord, work is not turned but slipped to other end of needle. Instead of turning work to work on wrong side, slide all stitches to other end of needle and continue working with that needle in your left hand. Bring working yarn behind stitches back to “beginning” of row. Knit row as if you have just turned your work to right side. Keep repeating. This will form a tube. It is usually worked over just a few stitches.

IFO.......................... invisible finish off

in[s]........................ inche[es]

inc........................... increas[es][ing]

incl.......................... including

inst.......................... instructions

k tbl, ktbl, k1 tbl, or k1b  knit through back of loop

k-b or k1b................ knit stitch in row below [Note: this is infrequently used for knit through back loop] Knit into stitch below next stitch on left hand needle. Do not knit stitch on needle, but slip it off of needle.

K, k......................... knit

k1b......................... knit into back stitch

k2tog....................... knit 2 together. Slants to the right and is often paired with ssk which slants to the left.

k2togtbl or k2togb..... knit 2 together through back loops. Although this slants left, it is not usually paired with k2tog because it twists the stitches.

k3tog....................... knit 3 together

k3togtbl or k3togb..... knit 3 stitches together through back loop

kfb or k1 f&b............. knit into front loop and then into back loop of stitch. Sometimes this is called a Bar Increase because it creates a bar across one st. 1 stitch increased.

kll........................... knit left loop. Insert left hand needle from back to front into stitch 2 rows below stitch on right hand needle. Knit stitch just picked up. Often paired with krl. 1 stitch increased

KPK......................... knit, purl, knit into same stitch

krl........................... knit right loop. Insert right hand needle into stitch 1 row below stitch on left hand needle. Place on left hand needle. Knit stitch just picked up through front loop. Knit stitch on needle.

Alternate method: Slip right hand needle into back of stitch 1 row below stitch on left hand needle. This will be knitting through purl bump on back side of work. Knit that stitch. Knit stitch on needle. Often paired with kll. 1 stitch increased

kwise or k-wise.......... knitwise [as if knitting]

KWK........................ knit across, wrap, knit back

L DC........................ linked double crochet [not standard abbreviation]

L TR........................ linked treble

L[t].......................... left

ladder...................... strand of yarn in between two stitches. Also know as a bar.

Lbl........................... long bobble stitch

LC........................... left cross [when working cables — cable needle hangs in front as you work]

LDC......................... long double crochet

LH........................... left hand

Lhn.......................... left hand needle

LHS......................... left hand side

LK........................... love knot

lp st......................... loop stitch

lp[s]........................ loop[s]

LSC......................... long single crochet

LT........................... left twist [where two stitches cross each other, as in smallest cable stitch possible — cable needle hangs in front as you work]

M ............................ marker

m............................      meter[s]

m............................      meter[s]

M1........................... make 1 stitch. If method is not specified, use whichever M1 increase you prefer.

M1A......................... make 1 away. Make 1 backwards loop cast on onto your right hand needle so working yarn is away from you. Working yarn falls to back of work.

M1L, M1 or M1F......... make 1 left or make 1 front. Insert left needle, from front to back into ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first stitch on left hand needle]. Knit this “stitch” through back loop to create a tight stitch preventing a hole. This is also called M1L because it “leans” left. 1 stitch increase.

m1p or m1p-st.......... make 1 stitch purl. Insert left needle from back to front into ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first stitch on left hand needle]. Purl this “stitch” through front loop. 1 stitch increase.

M1R or M1B.............. make 1 right or make 1 back. Insert left needle, from back to front into ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first stitch on left hand needle]. Knit this “stitch” through front loop to create a tight stitch preventing a hole. This is also called M1R because it “leans” right. 1 stitch increased.

M1T......................... make 1 towards. Make 1 backwards loop cast on onto your right hand needle so working yarn falls towards you or to front of work.

M2........................... make two. Insert left needle, from front to back into ladder/bar [strand of yarn between last stitch on right hand needle and first stitch on left hand needle]. Knit this “stitch” through back loop to create a tight stitch preventing a hole. Again, insert left needle, from front to back into ladder just used to make a stitch. Repeat to make second stitch. 2 stitch increase.

MB........................... main bed

MB........................... make bobble

MC or mc.................. main color

meas....................... measure[s]

mm......................... millimeter[s]

MT -1, -2, -3............. Main tension less 1, 2, 3 full numbers

MT +1, +2, +3.......... Main tension plus 1, 2, 3 full numbers

mult........................ multiple

MY........................... Main yarn or main color

n[s] or ndl[s]............ needle[s]

no. ......................... number

NWP........................ non-working position, position A. Needles in this position do not knit, no matter how carriage is set.

opp......................... opposite

OWP........................ out of work

oz........................... ounce[s]

p............................. picot

p tbl or p1 tbl or p1b.. purl through back loop

P up........................ pick up and purl

p-b.......................... purl stitch in row below [Note: this is infrequently used for purl through back loop] Purl into stitch below next stitch on left hand needle. Do not purl stitch on needle, but slip it off of needle.

P, p......................... purl

p1b......................... purl 1 into back stitch

p2sso...................... pass 2 slipped stitches over

p2tog....................... purl 2 together

p2tog tbl or p2togb.... purl 2 together through back loops. Slip needle through second stitch on left hand needle first.

p3sso...................... pass 3 slipped stitches over

pat or patt[s]............ pattern

pbf.......................... purl into back loop of stitch and then into front loop. 1 stitch increased.

pbf.......................... purl into back loop of stitch and then into front loop. 1 stitch increased.

pc............................ popcorn

pfb or p1 f&b............. purl into front loop of stitch and then into back loop. This is a Bar Increase done on the wrong side of work. 1 stitch increased.

pm.......................... place marker

pnso........................ pass next stitch over

pop......................... popcorn

pos.......................... position. Usually refers to relative position on needle bed.

pr............................      previous row

prev......................... previous

PS or Puff St............. puff stitch

psp.......................... p1 and slip to left-hand needle; pass next stitch over it; return to right-hand needle

psso........................ pass slipped stitch over

ptbl......................... purl through back loop

PU........................... pick up stitches or pick up and knit

Pwise or p-wise.......... purlwise [as if purling]

QTR......................... quadruple treble crochet

R or r[s]...................      row[s]

R.C.......................... ravel cord

R[t]......................... right

RB........................... ribber bed or rear bed

RC........................... right cross [when working cables — cable needle hangs in back as you work]

RC........................... row count[er]

Rd or rnd[s].............. round[s]

rem......................... remain[s][ing]

rep or rept................ repeat[ing]

REV HDC.................. reverse half double

REV SC..................... reverse single crochet [crab stitch]

rev sc, rsc, or reverse sc ...reverse single crochet

Rev st st.................. reverse stockinette stitch

rf............................. right front

RH........................... right hand

RHS......................... right hand side

rib........................... ribbing: vertical columns of knit and purl stitches. Most common are k1, p1 or k2, p2

rnd[s]...................... round[s]

RS........................... right side

RT........................... rib tension

RT........................... right twist [where two stitches cross each other, as in smallest cable stitch possible — cable needle hangs in back as you work]

S2KP or S2KP2.......... slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass two slipped stitches over

sc............................      single crochet

sc dec...................... single crochet decrease

SC over ring.............. single crochet over ring

SC PS or SC Puff St.... single crochet puff stitch

sc2tog...................... single crochet 2 stitches together

sc3tog...................... single crochet 3 stitches together

sk........................... skip

sk2p........................ slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over. Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over 2 stitches just knit together. Double decrease that leans to the left. 2 stitches decreased

skp or skpo.............. slip, knit, pass. Slip 1 stitch pwise, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over stitch just knitted. Same as sl1, k1, psso. This is similar to ssk and leans left. 1 stitch decreased

sl knot or slip knot..... an adjustable knot or loop used to begin many cast-on methods. Twist yarn to make a loop. Take tail of yarn on top and slip it under and through the loop. This creates an adjustable loop.

sl or s...................... slip

sl st......................... slip stitch[es]

sl1, k1, psso............. slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. Slip 1 stitch pwise, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over stitch just knitted. Same as skp. 1 stitch decreased

sl1k or sl 1 kwise....... slip stitch knitwise as if knitting

sl1p or sl 1 pwise....... slip stitch purlwise as if purling

sm.......................... slip marker

sp[s]....................... space[s]

spn.......................... single pointed needles or straight needles

spn.......................... spoon stitch

sq[s]....................... square[s]

SS........................... slip stitch

SS........................... stitch size. Number on tension or stitch dial.

ssk.......................... slip, slip, knit. Slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip next stitch knitwise, slip back to left hand needle keeping in same position, knit these 2 slipped stitches together through back loops. Slants to the left and is often paired with k2tog which slants to the right.

ssk [improved]......... slip, slip, knit. Slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch purlwise, slip back to left hand needle keeping in same position, knit these 2 slipped stitches together through back loops. Slants to the left and is often paired with k2tog which slants to the right.

ssp.......................... slip, slip, purl. Slip 1 knitwise, slip another knitwise, slip back to left hand needle keeping in same position, purl these 2 slipped stitches together through back loops. Remember to go through second stitch first. Creates left slanting decrease.

sssk........................ slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip another stitch knitwise, slip 1 more stitch knitwise, slip 3 stitches back to left hand needle keeping in same position, knit these 3 stitches together through back loops. Perhaps this can be improved like ssk by slipping second two stitches purlwise.

st st......................... stockinette stitch [the English call this stocking stitch]

st[s]........................ stitch[es]

T, tens or TD............. [occasionally SD for Stitich Dial] tension. Number on tension or stitch dial.

tbl........................... through back loop

tch or t-ch................. turning chain

tdc........................... Tunisian double crochet

tfl............................      through front loop

tog.......................... together

tp tr......................... triple treble

tr dec....................... treble decrease

tr or tc or trc.............. treble crochet Also known as triple crochet

tr-spl....................... treble-split

tr-y.......................... treble-y

tr2tog or tr dec.......... treble next two stitches together

trtr or tr tr................. treble or triple crochet

tss........................... Tunisian simple stitch

UWP........................ upper working position

v-st......................... v-stitch

w&t.......................... wrap & turn

WE.......................... work even

Won........................ wool over needle

WP.......................... working position

Wrn......................... wool round needle

WS.......................... wrong side

Wstd........................ worsted weight

WY.......................... waste yarn

wyib......................... with yarn in back

wyif.......................... with yarn in front

x............................. times

X-st......................... cross stitch

ybk or yb.................. yarn backward. If yb is followed by a purl stitch, it is the same as a yarn over. If it is followed by a slipped stitch, it is not a yarn over but just bringing yarn to back of work.

yd[s]....................... yard[s]

yfon......................... yarn forward over needle. Same as yarn over.

yfrn......................... yarn forward and round needle. Same as yarn over. Usually though of as yarn over between knit and purl stitces.

yfwd or yf.................. yarn forward. If yf is followed by a knit stitch, it is the same as a yarn over. If it is followed by a slipped stitch, it is not a yarn over but just bringing yarn to front of work.

YM........................... yarn marker

yn........................... yarn

yo........................... yarn over. This is wrapping yarn as you normally do when knitting [counter clockwise] but you do not slip your needle through a stitch. You are creating a new stitch that will be open. This is a basic lace technique.

yo2 or yo twice.......... yarn over twice. Yarn is wrapped around needle twice.

yoh.......................... yarn over hook

yon.......................... yarn over needle. Same as yarn over.

Yrh.......................... yarn round hook

yrn.......................... yarn around needle. Same as yarn over.

Yst.......................... “Y” stitch

For your convenience, a PDF copy is being attached.

Abbreviations.pdf