Glossary of Knitting Terms
If you've ever gotten stumped by an instruction on a knitting pattern or just wondered what knitters were talking about, this glossary will help.
Aran Knitting
Aran knitting is a classing style of knitting using lots of cables and embellishments.
Aran knitting is a classing style of knitting using lots of cables and embellishments.
Ball Winder
A ball winder is a very useful device that makes it a lot faster to wind a skein into a ball of yarn.
A ball winder is a very useful device that makes it a lot faster to wind a skein into a ball of yarn.
Binding Off
To finish your project, you must get the stitches off your needle, a process known as binding off.
To finish your project, you must get the stitches off your needle, a process known as binding off.
Cable Back
Cable back is a knitting term that is telling you to make a specific kind of cable, one which slants to the right.
Cable back is a knitting term that is telling you to make a specific kind of cable, one which slants to the right.
Cable Front
Cable front is a knitting term you might see in abbreviation. It's telling you to make a specific kind of cable.
Cable front is a knitting term you might see in abbreviation. It's telling you to make a specific kind of cable.
Carry Along
Some yarns are marketed as carry alongs, but what does that mean and how do you use them?
Some yarns are marketed as carry alongs, but what does that mean and how do you use them?
Casting On
The first step in all knitting projects is casting on.
The first step in all knitting projects is casting on.
Decrease
When shaping a knitted garment, you'll often have to decrease the number of stitches. Here's what that means.
When shaping a knitted garment, you'll often have to decrease the number of stitches. Here's what that means.
Faggoting
Faggoting or faggoting lace is a classic style of lace that is distilled to its essence--almost completely increases and decreases.
Faggoting or faggoting lace is a classic style of lace that is distilled to its essence--almost completely increases and decreases.
Frog
Sometimes when a mistake happens and you don't notice it for a long time, you have to rip out many rows, a process known as frogging.
Sometimes when a mistake happens and you don't notice it for a long time, you have to rip out many rows, a process known as frogging.
Garter Stitch
You often see the term garter stitch in patterns, but what does it mean?
You often see the term garter stitch in patterns, but what does it mean?
In Pattern
What does it mean when you're asked to bind off in pattern? It's really an easy maneuver.
What does it mean when you're asked to bind off in pattern? It's really an easy maneuver.
Increase
What does it mean when a knitting pattern says you should increase? How do you increase in knitting? Here's a basic definition.
What does it mean when a knitting pattern says you should increase? How do you increase in knitting? Here's a basic definition.
Intarsia Knitting
Intarsia knitting is a technique that is used to make blocks of color on a knitting project, whether a sweater, a pillow or an argyle sock.
Intarsia knitting is a technique that is used to make blocks of color on a knitting project, whether a sweater, a pillow or an argyle sock.
Interchangeable Needles
Interchangeable knitting needles are very handy for knitters of all skill levels, particularly those who like circular knitting.
Interchangeable knitting needles are very handy for knitters of all skill levels, particularly those who like circular knitting.
KIP
A lot of knitting blogs refer to KIP, but what is it?
A lot of knitting blogs refer to KIP, but what is it?
Kitchen Cotton
Kitchen cotton is a generic term for a specific kind of yarn used in many knitting projects for the home.
Kitchen cotton is a generic term for a specific kind of yarn used in many knitting projects for the home.
Knit Through the Back Loop
Knitting through the back of a stitch produces a twisted stitch, which is a very cool look if you're doing it on purpose.
Knitting through the back of a stitch produces a twisted stitch, which is a very cool look if you're doing it on purpose.
Knit Two Together
Knit two together (k2tog) is a basic and quick way to decrease stitches, which slants slightly to the right. It is the decreasing method that most people learn first.
Knit two together (k2tog) is a basic and quick way to decrease stitches, which slants slightly to the right. It is the decreasing method that most people learn first.
Knitting
The knit stitch is the basis of all knitted items. Knit as a verb is the action of knitting.
The knit stitch is the basis of all knitted items. Knit as a verb is the action of knitting.
Long Tail
Long tail refers to a method of casting on that is very popular.
Long tail refers to a method of casting on that is very popular.
LYS
What the heck is an LYS and why should I be going there?
What the heck is an LYS and why should I be going there?
Muggle
Stolen from the world of Harry Potter, muggle has a meaning for knitters, too.
Stolen from the world of Harry Potter, muggle has a meaning for knitters, too.
Pat
What does pat mean in knitting instructions?
What does pat mean in knitting instructions?
Purl Through the Back Loop
Purling through the back loop is not as common as knitting through the back loop, but it produces a similarly twisted stitch. Find out what it means to purl through the back loop.
Purling through the back loop is not as common as knitting through the back loop, but it produces a similarly twisted stitch. Find out what it means to purl through the back loop.
Purling
Purling is basically the opposite of knitting, and to make good garments and other knitted items, you need to master both stitches.
Purling is basically the opposite of knitting, and to make good garments and other knitted items, you need to master both stitches.
Slip Slip Knit (SSK)
SSK or slip, slip, knit is an easy way to decrease the number of stitches on your knitting needle. This makes a decrease that leans to the left.
SSK or slip, slip, knit is an easy way to decrease the number of stitches on your knitting needle. This makes a decrease that leans to the left.
Stitch Markers
Stitch markers are indispensable little knitting accessories that help you keep track of where you are on your row.
Stitch markers are indispensable little knitting accessories that help you keep track of where you are on your row.
Stockinette Stitch
Many patterns will tell you to work in stockinette stitch without explaining what that is. It's very simple when you know what it means.
Many patterns will tell you to work in stockinette stitch without explaining what that is. It's very simple when you know what it means.
Superwash Wool
Superwash wool is a special kind of wool that some knitters love for its ease of use.
Superwash wool is a special kind of wool that some knitters love for its ease of use.
Tink
Tinking is a method for fixing mistakes in the row you are working or have just worked.
Tinking is a method for fixing mistakes in the row you are working or have just worked.
UFO
You'll often hear knitters talk about UFOs, but they aren't referring to those disks that fly in the sky.
You'll often hear knitters talk about UFOs, but they aren't referring to those disks that fly in the sky.
Yarn Over
Yarn over, abbreviated YO, is an easy way to increase your stitches by making a hole in your knitting.
Yarn over, abbreviated YO, is an easy way to increase your stitches by making a hole in your knitting.
Yarn Swift
A yarn swift is a non-critical but fun addition to your knitting tool chest.
A yarn swift is a non-critical but fun addition to your knitting tool chest.