# What Does Rep Mean in a Knitting Pattern?

https://rowandround.app/guides/reading-patterns/what-does-rep-mean-in-a-knitting-pattern · Reading patterns; published 2026-11-01, updated 2026-11-01 · Kallos Labs

> Rep means repeat: do the same steps again the number of times the pattern states. It can repeat whole rows ("Rep Rows 1 and 2") or a group of stitches inside one row ("rep from *").

"Rep" is short for "repeat". When a knitting pattern says rep, it wants you to do the same thing again, the number of times the pattern states ([Craft Yarn Council](https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/how-to-read-knitting-pattern)). The only thing that changes is what gets repeated: whole rows, or a group of stitches inside one row. This guide covers both, with examples you can follow at the needles. If you are new to pattern shorthand, the [reading patterns](https://rowandround.app/guides/reading-patterns) topic page has the rest of the basics. Crocheters see the same word in their patterns, and it means the same thing there, with rounds in place of rows. Once you can tell which kind of repeat a line is asking for, long pattern lines get easier to follow, and you stop second-guessing where to go back to.

## What does rep mean in a knitting pattern?

Rep is the standard abbreviation for repeat, and it is on the standard lists from the [Craft Yarn Council](https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/knitting-abbreviations), [Lion Brand](https://www.lionbrand.com/pages/learn-glossary-rep) and [Berroco](https://berroco.com/abbreviations-and-terms/). Lion Brand puts it simply: it means "do it again".

These are the three shapes you'll meet most often.

| You read | It means |
| --- | --- |
| Rep Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 4 inches | Work Row 1, then Row 2, then Row 1 again, and keep going until the length is reached |
| \*K2, P2; rep from \* across | Work the group after the asterisk, then do it again along the row |
| `[YO, K2tog] 6 times` | Work the group in the brackets, six times in all |

## What does "rep rows" mean?

![Close-up of light grey ribbed knitting with rows of vertical stitch columns.](https://zkszhxwbppkanfjpstvn.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rowandround-article-images/articles/what-does-rep-mean-in-a-knitting-pattern/what-does-rep-mean-in-a-knitting-pattern-inline.webp)

_[Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/knitted-fabric-5807038/)_

"Rep rows" means work whole rows again, in order. The Craft Yarn Council's example is "Rep Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 4" from the beginning, ending with a WS row." You alternate the two rows until the piece is the right length, then stop on a wrong side (WS) row.

Measure with the piece lying flat and not stretched, from the cast-on row up to the needle. If it is still short, keep repeating.

Some patterns give a plain count instead of a length. Here is a made-up example: "Rep Rows 3 to 10 five more times."

1. Rows 3 to 10 are 8 rows, so one pass is 8 rows.
2. You have just finished that pass once, so five more passes is 5 x 8 = 40 more rows.
3. Counting the first pass, that is 6 passes in all, or 48 rows.
4. With Rows 1 and 2 before them, you finish on row 50 of the pattern.

"Five more times" is clear about the first pass. A line that only says "six times" can leave you unsure whether the first pass counts, so check the pattern's notes, and tally your passes on paper as you go.

A pattern may also repeat a single row. "Rep Row 1 until piece measures 4 inches" in garter stitch just means you knit every row until the piece reaches that length.

## What does "rep from *" mean?

An asterisk marks where a repeat starts. When you reach "rep from \*", you go back to the asterisk and work the group again. The Craft Yarn Council lists it as "repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed", and Lion Brand shows the same idea as "rep from \* x times".

Take a ribbing row: "\*K2, P2; rep from \* across, end K2."

1. Knit 2, purl 2. That is one repeat of 4 stitches.
2. Go back to the asterisk and do it again, all the way along the row.
3. When fewer than 4 stitches are left, work the "end" instruction. Here that is K2.

On 22 stitches, that is five full repeats (20 stitches) and then K2 to finish. The "end K2" line covers the stitches left over after your last complete repeat, which is what keeps the row's stitch count right ([Craft Yarn Council](https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/how-to-read-knitting-pattern)).

Brackets and parentheses repeat a group too. The number after the closing bracket is how many times: "[YO, K2tog] 6 times" gives six yarn overs and six knit two togethers (k2tog). Parentheses can also mean "all into the same stitch", as in "(K1, P1, K1) in next st". For more on these symbols, read [what asterisks and brackets mean](https://rowandround.app/guides/reading-patterns/asterisks-and-brackets-in-knitting-patterns).

## What is the difference between rep and work even?

Rep means do those steps again. "Work even" means keep working the pattern as you have been, with no increases or decreases, so the stitch count stays the same ([Craft Yarn Council](https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/how-to-read-knitting-pattern)). A pattern can use both: repeat these two rows, working even, until the piece is 4 inches long.

## How do you keep track of repeats?

Repeats are where knitters lose their place, since the same few rows come round again and again. Three habits help:

- Mark the asterisk or bracket in your pattern before you start the row.
- Tally each finished pass of a row range on paper.
- Write down the row number you are on whenever you put the work down.

## Try it in Row & Round

When you work a repeat in Row & Round, the [highlighter bar](https://rowandround.app/features/highlighter-bar) sits on the row you are working in your PDF pattern, and each tap of +1 on the [row counter](https://rowandround.app/features/row-counter) moves the bar to the next row. Your place is saved on every tap, so you can put the work down in the middle of a repeat and find your row again. The app is coming soon to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

## Bottom line

Rep means repeat. Look at what comes next: "rows" repeats whole rows, and an asterisk or bracket repeats a group of stitches. For the rest of the shorthand, see [how to read a whole knitting pattern](https://rowandround.app/guides/reading-patterns/how-to-read-a-knitting-pattern).

## Questions

### Is rep the same as repeat in a knitting pattern?

Yes. Rep is the standard abbreviation for repeat: do the same thing again the number of times the pattern states.

### Does "rep Rows 3 to 10 six times" include the first pass?

It can be read either way, so check the pattern's notes. A line such as "five more times" is clear that the first pass is already done. Tally your passes as you go.

### What does end K2 mean after rep from *?

It covers the stitches left over after the last full repeat. Work them as written so the row finishes correctly.

### What is the difference between rep and work even?

Rep tells you to do steps again. Work even means keep working the established pattern with no increases or decreases, so the stitch count stays the same.


## Sources

- [Craft Yarn Council: How to Read a Knitting Pattern](https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/how-to-read-knitting-pattern)
- [Craft Yarn Council: Knitting Abbreviations Master List](https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/knitting-abbreviations)
- [Lion Brand: Glossary, repeat(s)(ing)](https://www.lionbrand.com/pages/learn-glossary-rep)
- [Berroco: Abbreviations and Terms](https://berroco.com/abbreviations-and-terms/)