When it comes to knitting, understanding the symbols used in patterns is essential. Knitting symbols are like a language that guides the knitter through their creative journey. Each symbol holds a unique meaning, representing a particular type of stitch or even a specialized technique.
Here are the knitting symbols explained for both right-side and wrong-side rows.
🟥 Basic symbols |
Language of knitting patterns |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
Co Cast on |
Co Cast on |
|
Bo Bind off |
Bo Bind off |
|
No stitch | No stitch |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
K Knit |
P Purl |
|
P Purl |
K Knit |
|
K tbl Knit through the back loop |
P tbl Purl through the back loop |
|
P tbl Purl through the back loop |
K tbl Knit through the back loop |
|
K1b Knit 1 below |
P1b Purl 1 below | |
Sl wyib Slip stitch with yarn in back |
Sl wyif Slip stitch with yarn in front | |
Sl wyif Slip stitch with yarn in front |
Sl wyib Slip stitch with yarn in back |
🟥 Yarn over symbols |
Language of knitting patterns |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
Yo Yarn over |
Yo Yarn over |
|
Yo x2 Yarn over twice |
Yo x2 Yarn over twice |
|
Yo x3 Yarn over three times |
Yo x3 Yarn over three times |
|
Kyok (K1, yo, k1) in the same stitch |
Pyop (P1, yo, k1) in the same stitch |
|
Pyop (P1, yo, p1) in the same stitch |
Kyok (K1, yo, k1) in the same stitch |
🟥 Increase symbols |
Language of knitting patterns |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
M1r / M1l Make one stitch (right/left) |
M1rp / M1lp Make one purl-wise (right/left) |
|
M1rp / M1lp Make one purl-wise (right/left) |
M1r / M1l Make one stitch (right/left) |
|
LLI Left-leaning lifted increase |
LLIp Left lifted increase (purled) |
|
RLI Right-leaning lifted increase |
RLIp Right lifted increase (purled) |
|
LLIp Left lifted increase (purled) |
LLI Left-leaning lifted increase |
|
RLIp Right lifted increase (purled) |
RLI Right-leaning lifted increase |
|
(k1, p1) in one stitch |
(p1, k1) in one stitch |
|
(k1, p1, k1) in one stitch |
(p1, k1, p1) in one stitch |
🟥 Decrease symbols |
Language of knitting patterns |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
Ssk Slip slip knit |
Ssp Slip slip purl |
|
K2tog Knit two stitches together |
P2tog Purl two stitches together |
|
Ssp Slip slip purl |
Ssk Slip slip knit |
|
P2tog Purl two stitches together |
K2tog Knit two stitches together |
|
Sssk Slip slip slip knit |
Sssp Slip slip slip purl |
|
K3tog Knit three stitches together |
P3tog Purl three stitches together |
|
Sssp Slip slip slip purl |
Sssk Slip slip slip knit |
|
P3tog Purl three stitches together |
K3tog Knit three stitches together |
|
S2kp Slip 2 knit-wise, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over |
S2PP Slip 2, purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
S2PP Slip 2, purl 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over |
S2kp Slip 2 knitwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over |
|
K4tog Knit 4 together |
Purl 4 together | |
K5tog Knit 5 together |
Purl 5 together | |
K7tog Knit 7 together |
Purl 7 together |
🟥 Brioche symbols |
Language of knitting patterns |
SYMBOL
|
RIGHT SIDE | WRONG SIDE |
brk Brioche knit, a.k.a bark |
brp Brioche purl, a.k.a burp |
|
brp Brioche purl, a.k.a burp |
brk Brioche knit, a.k.a bark |
|
yf sl1yo Yarn Forward, Slip 1, Yarn Over |
yf sl1yo Yarn Forward, Slip 1, Yarn Over |
|
brk2tog Brioche knit 2 stitches together |
brp2tog Brioche purl 2 stitches together |
|
brssk Slip, slip, bark pass slipped stitches over |
brssp Slip, slip, burp slipped stitches over |
|
brk3tog bark 3 stitches together |
brp3tog burp 3 stitches together |
|
brsssk Slip, slip, bark 1, pass slipped stitches over |
brsssp Slip, slip, burp 1, slipped stitches over |
|
brp2tog Brioche purl 2 stitches together |