Hint: Sometimes It Means Please Skedaddle 🧶

Decoding knitting abbreviations doesn’t need to overwhelm like cracking the Rosetta Stone. You’ve already mastered “k.” The very next abbreviation you’ll meet is “p,” and once you learn it, whole new textures and possibilities open up.

So, what does “p” mean in knitting? Let’s find out.

The Real Meaning of “p” in Knitting

In a knitting pattern, p = purl stitch.

If you see “p3,” that means “purl three stitches.” If you see “p to end,” that means “purl every stitch across the row.”

The purl stitch is the companion to the knit stitch: you’ll use it just as often, and together, knit and purl are the foundation of almost every pattern you’ll ever try.

👉 Want to practice the purl stitch step by step? Learn to make a purl stitch in this free lesson.

The Twist: p = Please Skedaddle

Of course, knitters know there’s a second meaning to “p.”

p = please skedaddle.

Why? Because when you’re counting stitches, nothing throws you off faster than someone talking to you. That’s when you whisper, “please skedaddle, I’m counting.” A true knitter’s plea.

Why “p” Matters for Beginners

Once you know how to purl, you unlock the ability to create textures and patterns that go beyond the basics. Stockinette, ribbing, seed stitch: all of these rely on purl stitches.

✨ Ready to practice? Try these beginner-friendly patterns that mix knits and purls:

🧣 Simple Ribbed Scarf

🛁 Classic Seed Stitch Washcloth

🥳 Beginner Stockinette Hat

🧶 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns

These projects use a combination of knit and purl stitches, making them perfect for building confidence.

Find More Abbreviations

Visit the Knitting Abbreviations Main Page to see the whole series.

What’s Next?

Now that you know p = purl stitch (and sometimes please skedaddle), you’re ready to keep exploring the knitting shorthand. Next up: CO = cast on, the very beginning of every project.

👉 Don’t miss the rest of the series. Sign up for my email updates below and I’ll send the next lesson straight to your inbox!

Hint: Sometimes It Means Knot Screaming 🧶

Learning to read a knitting pattern can feel like cracking a secret code. Every letter stands for something, and one of the first you’ll bump into is “k.”

So, what does “k” mean in knitting? Let’s break it down.

The Real Meaning of “k” in Knitting

In a knitting pattern, k = knit stitch.

It’s the most basic, most common stitch in the knitting world. If you see “k3,” that means “knit three stitches.” If you see “k to end,” that means “knit every stitch across the row.”

Once you know how to make a knit stitch, you’ve unlocked half the knitting universe. (The other half? Purl stitch. We’ll talk about that one soon 😉).

👉 Want help reading knitting patterns faster? Check out my full guide: How to Read Knitting Patterns. It walks you through every abbreviation, symbol, and stitch.

👉 Need a hand with the knit stitch? Learn to make a knit stich in this free lesson.

The Twist: k = Knot Screaming

Of course, knitters know there’s a second meaning to “k.”

k = knot screaming.

If you’ve ever been happily working through a skein of yarn only to find a giant knot in the middle, you know exactly what I mean. There’s nothing like hitting a tangle when you’re counting stitches to make you want to throw your needles across the room!

But don’t worry. Those moments happen to all of us. The important thing is to laugh, unknot, and keep going. 💞

Why “k” Is a Big Deal for Beginners

Learning the knit stitch is your first step into the world of reading patterns with confidence. Once you’ve got it down, you’ll be able to tackle scarves, blankets, hats, and so much more.

✨ Want to practice? Grab one of my simple beginner-friendly patterns:

Your First Washcloth: Quick, useful, and made with knit stitches.

Beginner Garter Stitch Scarf Pattern: Simple, flowy, and knit only.

Easy Chunky Scarf Pattern: Big, cozy, and a faster knit stitch scarf.

Beginner Classics Knitting Pattern Bundle: A collection of 6 ad-free PDF patterns (hats, and mittens, and gloves, oh my!)

Knitting Pattern Library: Explore all my knitting patterns!

These patterns use simple stitches, which makes them perfect for learning.

Find More Abbreviations: Visit the Knitting Abbreviations Main Page to find more shorthand explained.

What’s Next?

Now that you know k = knit stitch (and sometimes knot screaming), you’re ready for the next abbreviation: p. Read p = purl stitch (and please skedaddle if I’m counting).

👉 Don’t miss the rest of the series. Sign up for my email updates below and I’ll send the next lesson to your inbox!

Ever open a knitting pattern and feel like you’ve wandered into a scene from A Beautiful Mind? Symbols float, letters jumble, and suddenly you’re convinced you need a chalkboard wall and a piece of string to map it all out. Welcome to the world of knitting abbreviations! It’s our very own secret language. But don’t worry, you don’t actually need a PhD in cryptography. Here, we are going to untangle the confusing hieroglyphics while muttering, “ugh, not another knot!” or whispering, “please skedaddle, I’m counting.” Let’s decode the knitting shorthand into plain English. I’ll sprinkle in a few jokes and make sure you leave feeling more “I’ve got this” than “where’s my decoder ring?”

This page is your central knitting abbreviations guidebook. Think of it as the place you bookmark, pin, or save to keep track of the whole series. Each individual post will break down one abbreviation in detail, but this index is where you can find them all.

Explore the Abbreviation Series

Here’s what’s been decoded so far:

• k = knit stitch (and sometimes knot screaming)
  👉 Read the full knit post here
• p = purl stitch (and please skedaddle if I’m counting)
  👉 Read the full purl post here

Coming soon!

Next up: co (cast on, the starting line of every project), ** (repeat the pattern between the asterisks), sl1pwyif (slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in front), sl1pwyib (slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in back), and sl (shorthand for sl1pwyib). Because knitting patterns never stop speaking in code.

Why Abbreviations Matter

At first, abbreviations feel like stumbling into a spy school exam. But once you crack the code, life gets easier and a lot more fun. You’ll:

• Read patterns without having to pause and Google every other line
• Tackle bigger projects with confidence instead of dread
• Roll your eyes and laugh at the shorthand that once made you want to scream into your yarn ball

And here’s the best part: the more abbreviations you decode, the less you’ll feel like that frazzled, exasperated knitter at the top of this page… and the more you’ll start to look like the happy knitter at the bottom—project finished, needles down, and a gorgeous hat in hand.

This index will keep growing as the series expands. Every time a new abbreviation post goes live, it’ll show up here, ready for you to decode at your own pace.

👉 Want the complete guide instead of piecing it together clue by clue? Check out my full walkthrough: How to Read Knitting Patterns.

Stay in the Loop

Make this page your bookmark-worthy Rosetta Stone for knitting abbreviations. Or, if you’d rather skip the detective work, join my email list and I’ll send you updates whenever a new abbreviation gets cracked.

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🧶 Quick Chunky Ribbed Beanie : The Fastest Hat Pattern Around

🧣 Easy Chunky Knit Scarf Pattern: A Warm, Wearable Hug

🙏 Gratitude Blanket Pattern: When You Need Extra-Cozy Knitting Joy

🎉 Basic Slouch Hat Pattern: A Versatile Style Option

🔥 Basic Ear Warmer Pattern: Quick Gift-Ready Project

🧹 All Knitting Patterns by Liz: Learn to Knit All the Things

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