www.ukhandknitting.com


Abbreviations
Knitting and crochet has it's own technical terms and special language. They may seem complicated to begin with but all knitting books nad magazines have an information page explaining the terms. Without the abbreviations, instructions for making the simpliest article would be far too long.
The 'knitter's shorthand' has been developed over many years and once you have learnt the basics is very simple to follow.
Below is a general guide to abbreviations but please refer to the abbreviations stated in your individual pattern for variations.
 
alt alternate
beg begin(ning)
ch(s) Chain(s) (crochet term)
cm centimetres
cn cable needle
cont continue
dc double crochet
dec decrease
foll following
g or gr grams as in 50g balls
gst or garter st garter stitch (knit every row)
inc increase by working into front and back of st
ins or " inches
k knit
k2tog knit 2 stitches together by going into the front of the 2nd stitch then the front of the 1st stitch and knitting off together to decrease one stitch
meas measures
mm millimetres
m1 make one by picking up the loop lying between st just worked and before next stitch and working into the back of it
patt pattern
prev previous
psso pass slipped stitch over
p purl
p-wise purl-wise, or as though to purl
rem remain(ing)
rep repeat
rev revers(e)(ing)
rs right side
sc single crochet
skpo slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
sl slip
sL1k slip one stitch knitways
ssk Slip, slip, knit. Slip first st as if to knit. Slip next st as if to knit. Put the tip of the left hand needle through the front of these two sts from left to right and knit them together.
st(s) stitch(es)
st st stocking stitch ( knit one row, purl one row)
tbl through back of loops
tog together
tr triple crochet
ws wrong side
yfrn yarn forward and round needle
yfwd yarn forward
yon yarn over needle
yrn yarn round needle
0 no stitch, row or time to be worked in this size
*
An asterisk is used to mark the beginning of a portion of instructions which will be worked more than once; thus, "rep from * to end."
( )
Parentheses are used to enclose instructions which should be worked the exact number of times specified immediately following the parentheses, such as: (k1, p1) twice.
They are also used to list the garment sizes and to provide additional information to clarify instructions.
[ ]
Brackets can be used in the same way as parentheses, but are usually used in combination with them to further clarify instructions.