Based on the questions I’ve been getting, it seems there’s loads of new knitters out there, puzzling through the learning process of pattern reading. I can so relate to the frustration a new knitter faces, because although I’d learned the basics from my Grandmother, I taught myself all the advanced techniques from internet resources and books. I was determined to learn to knit many of the wonderful patterns I found on Ravelry. In case you haven’t found it yet, Ravelry is a wonderful social media site just for knitters, crocheters and other fiber artists. Do join!
We welcome you and hope this post of knitting abbreviations, with explanations and links to video resources that we often use in Simply Notable free knitting patterns will be helpful to you.
sl – slip – slip a stitch from the left to the right needle without working it. You can slip a stitch knitwise, (as if to knit), or purlwise, (as if to purl). If the direction isn’t specified, it should be slipped purlwise. Video
pm – place marker – place a marker before working the next stitch.
sm – slip marker – slip the marker onto the next needle to keep it in place.
rm – remove marker
Decrease stitches:
ssk – slip, slip, knit. (This stitch creates a left leaning decrease.) slip first one stitch then another stitch from the left to the right needle knitwise. Then put the two stitches back on the left hand needle and knit them together through the back loops. Video
k2tog – knit 2 together (This stitch creates a right leaning decrease) – knit the next two stitches together. Video
Increase stitches:
kfb – knit front and back -Knit first in the front loop, then in the back loop of the same stitch. Video
M1R – make one right – lift the bar between stitches from back to front with left needle, then knit into the front of the stitch. Video
M1L – make one left – lift the bar between stitches from front to back with left needle, then knit through back of stitch. Video
yo – yarn over (makes a hole in the knitting)- bring yarn over the right hand needle from bottom to top. Video
Happy learning to our newest knitters. We’re so glad to have you reading, and knitting along!
Thank you so much for this list! Would you please share the pattern in the photo? My grandmother made many afghans like this and I would like to make one too. Thank you!
Hi Sara! It’s the ZickZack scarf – free pattern on Ravelry.
Can you please explain what LR2, LR3, LR4 means &!how to work these stitches? Thanks!
Those are just the abbreviations I gave for the lace rows in the Grandmother’s Diagonal Lace Cloth pattern. I wrote the instructions for each row beside each abbreviation at the top of the pattern.
When it says flip the work,does that mean “turn”. I’ m making the mini washcloth. Please explain ” flip”. Thanks
Yes Linda, it means to turn the work.