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’m happy to help. With me, you get a translation table of all English knitting terms.
I love the independent and international designs and want to knit them all.
You will see – with my clear table and a few tricks, you can easily follow the instructions of your English pattern.
Below you will get a nice PDF that you can print out and put in your project bag – so you have all terms at hand immediately.
The most important terms are listed separately. I have translated all abbreviations into German for you.
What you should pay attention to:
Start with a simple pattern, preferably for beginners, to get familiar with English patterns.
Don't be afraid of the abbreviations; it looks more complicated than it is.
Follow your pattern step by step and read everything through once at the beginning.
Contents
"My tip: start with a simple pattern, preferably 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 will learn and recognize them quickly:
| k | knit | knit |
| p | Purl | purl |
| BOR | beginning of round | Beginning of round |
| co / bo | cast on / bind off | Cast on / bind off |
| inc | increase | Increase |
| dec | decrease | Decrease |
| r / rnd | row / round | Row / round |
| RS | right side | right side |
| WS | wrong side | Left side / wrong side |
| st | stitch | stitch |
All knitting terms in one table
Discover all English abbreviations with translations here. Super clearly arranged alphabetically.
| alt | alternately | Alternately |
| appr | approximately | Approximately |
| beg | beginning | Beginning |
| bet | between | Between |
| bl | back loop | Back loop |
| bar increase | Bar increase | |
| bo | Bind off | to fasten off |
| to block | To block | |
| bobble | Bobble | |
| border | edge | |
| BOR | beginning of round | Beginning of round |
| to break off / break yarn | To break off / break yarn | |
| brioche stitch | Brioche stitch | |
| cab | cabel | Cable |
| To cast off | to fasten off | |
| cn | cable needle | Cable needle |
| CC | contrast colour | Contrast colour |
| CO | cast on | Cast on |
| center stitch | Center stitch | |
| chart | Chart | |
| circular knitting | Circular knitting | |
| collar | Collar | |
| to cross | To cross | |
| cuff | Cuff | |
| dec / inc | decrease / increase | Decrease / increase |
| dpn(s) | double point needles | Double-pointed needles |
| ds | doublestitch | Double stitch |
| dropstitch | Drop stitch | |
| ease | Ease | |
| edge | edge |
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| to fasten off | to fasten off | |
| fl | front loop | front loop |
| gauge | swatch | |
| gusset | gusset (underarm) | |
| GSR | german short rows | short rows |
| inc | increase | increase |
| inst | instruction | instruction |
| 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 | stitch, loop |
| M | marker | stitch marker |
| MC | main colour | main colour |
| M1 | make one | make one stitch |
| 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 stitch 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 pattern | |
| rnd / R | round | round |
| r | row | row |
| RS | right side | right side |
| seam | seam | |
| selvedge stitch | selvedge stitch | |
| seed stitch | seed stitch | |
| short rows | short rows | |
| sk | to skip | to skip |
| skp | slip, knit psso | slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over |
| sk2p | slip, knit 2tog, psso | slip, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over |
| sm | slip marker | slip marker |
| sl | to slip a stitch | to 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 | |
| st | stitch | stitch |
| stockinette stitch | stockinette stitch | |
| swatch | swatch | |
| tbl | through back loop | through back loop |
| tfl | through front loop | through front loop |
| tog | together | together |
| turn | turn | |
| tw | turn word | turn work |
| to wrap | to wrap | |
| WIP | work in progress | work in progress |
| WS | wrong side | wrong side |
| wyib | with yarn in back | with the yarn behind the work |
| wyif | with yarn in front | with the yarn in front of the work |
| yarn | Garn | |
| yd(s) | yard(s) | yard(s) (1 yard = 0.9144 m) |
| yo | yarn over | Cast on |
Special features of English knitting instructions
Does your English knitting pattern seem like a book with seven seals – do the many symbols confuse you? Don’t be discouraged: English instructions are often written in text with many abbreviations. Once you know the abbreviations, it’s really easy.
It's best to print out my overview of abbreviations so you can immediately look up anything you don't know.
Conclusion
English knitting instructions are simply part of the hobby. Dare to try it out, and your project will surely turn out beautifully.
Print out the PDF to always have your translation table at hand.
Just start and work your way step by step. Translate the abbreviations and try to memorize them. Many abbreviations repeat.
With your dream project, you will surely be happy and can also knit international designs.
Post by Rabea
I am Rabea, actually an architect and passionate knitter. Since 2023, my husband Christoph and I have been fully dedicated to our online shop.
