The following are common abbreviations for colorwork knitting.
| BOR | Beginning of Round |
| CC | Contrast Color, or "accent color" |
| Dec | Decrease |
| K | Knit |
| K1 tbl | Knit 1 through the back loop |
| K2 tog | Knit 2 Together |
| MC | Main Color, or "background color" |
| P | Purl |
| Rnd(s) | Round(s) |
| St(s) | Stitches |