Reading patterns

Most patterns look like a foreign language at first. Once you recognize a handful of abbreviations and a few structural conventions, 90% of patterns become readable — whether you're knitting or crocheting.

Knitting abbreviations

k / p

Knit / purl (one stitch)

k2 / p3

Knit two stitches / purl three stitches

k2tog

Knit two together (decrease 1)

ssk

Slip, slip, knit (decrease 1, left-leaning)

yo

Yarn over (increase 1)

m1

Make one (increase 1)

CO / BO

Cast on / bind off

RS / WS

Right side / wrong side

rep

Repeat

sts

Stitches

Crochet abbreviations

ch

Chain (the foundation of most crochet)

sl st

Slip stitch (joins rounds, no height)

sc

Single crochet (shortest stitch)

hdc

Half double crochet

dc

Double crochet (most common)

tr

Treble (triple) crochet (tall stitch)

inc

Increase (2 stitches in one)

dec / sc2tog

Decrease (2 stitches joined into 1)

mc / mr

Magic circle / magic ring (round start)

fo

Fasten off (finish your work)

blo / flo

Back loop only / front loop only

ch sp

Chain space (work into the gap)

Repeats

Pattern rows often describe a small repeating unit. In knitting: "*K2, p2; repeat from * to end" — the asterisk marks the start of the repeat. In crochet: "(sc, dc) in next st, repeat from * across" or "work (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch sp" — brackets mean repeat the group.

Stitch counts

Many patterns note the expected stitch count in parentheses at the end of a row or round, like "(24 sts)" or "(12 sc)". If your count doesn't match, you went wrong somewhere — back up and recount.

That's the toolkit. Open a pattern and start making.