Knitting pattern
Instructions for hand or machine knitting a particular design
A knitting pattern is a set of written instructions on how to construct items using knitting.
01Forms
There are two basic forms of knitting patterns:
- Text patterns which use numerals and words (and usually abbreviations), and
- Chart patterns which use symbols in a chart.
Some patterns include the entire instructions in both forms, as some knitters prefer one or the other.
Some patterns mix the forms to take advantage of the best of each. For example, a pattern's start and end may be described in text and a repeated design as a chart.
Each knitting pattern typically provides its own abbreviations and symbol keys or refers to a standard. There is no single authoritative source for knitting symbology and knitting abbreviations, so multiple standards exist. However, there are some knitting abbreviations that are commonly used even across these multiple standards.
Both forms use the convention of sequential row numbers; a row counter is often used to keep track of progress through the pattern.
Text patterns
Text pattern details can vary from a general description to detailed stitch-by-stitch instruction. Knitting abbreviations are used for brevity.
Text patterns typically provide sequential instructions to be followed and may also include helpful advice.
List of common knitting abbreviations
Below is a list of common knitting abbreviations used in text patterns.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| k | Knit | May be followed by a number to denote how many times to do the stitch (ex: K3 means to knit three stitches) |
| p | Purl | May be followed by a number to denote how many times to do the stitch (ex: P3 means to purl three stitches) |
| st | Stitch | May also be written as s |
| yo | Yarn over | May also be written as yf or yfwd (yarn forward) |
| tog | Together | Used in tandem with other knitting abbreviations (ex: K2tog means to knit two stitches together) |
| sl | Slip | Stitch is slipped purlwise, unless the knitting pattern states otherwise |
| wyif | With yarn in front | |
| wyib | With yarn in back | |
| psso | Pass slipped stitch over | |
| ssk | Slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip another stitch knitwise, then knit those two stitches together through the back loop | Creates a left-leaning decrease |
| RS | Right side (of fabric) | |
| WS | Wrong side (of fabric) |
Chart patterns
Chart patterns use a matrix of blocks filled with letters and symbols to describe the knitted stitches, typically with one stitch per block. The same symbol can have a different meaning depending on whether the stitch is worked on the right side or wrong side of the knitted fabric. When knitting flat, typically odd-numbered rows are considered the right side of the fabric and even-numbered rows are considered the wrong side of the fabric unless the knitting pattern denotes otherwise. When knitting in the round, all rows are considered the right side of the fabric.
Chart patterns provide visual feedback on the relative position of stitches. They may be color-coded for multi-color knitting.
List of typical chart symbols
Below is a list of typical symbols used in a knitting pattern chart.
| Symbol | Meaning (RS) | Meaning (WS) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knit | Purl | ||
| Purl | Knit | A small dot symbol instead of a dash symbol may be used instead | |
| Yarn over | Yarn over | ||
| k2tog | p2tog | Creates a right-leaning decrease | |
| ssk | ssp | Creates a left-leaning decrease |
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Knitting pattern”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Leaflet, pattern (knitting) (AM 1999.107.162-5).jpg by Paragon Art Needlecraft Limited; N.Z. Transfer Company, CC BY 4.0
- Knitting pattern for an advert photo (1470766).jpg by Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Der må være en kant.jpg by Lisa Risager, CC BY-SA 2.0
- MachineKnittingPattern33.gif by Gudde Fog, Denmark, CC BY-SA 4.0
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