Knitting is more than just knitting needles and yarn—it's a delightful language of its own, complete with its terms and shorthand. Understanding these terms is like unlocking the secret code to crafting beautiful knitted pieces. So, let's crack this knitting lexicon together!
This blog is a beginner's encyclopedia—your go-to resource for mastering the craft.
Knitting Terms
Cast-On: The initial step of creating stitches on the needle before beginning the main knitting work.
K: Knit
P: Purl
Row: A horizontal line of stitches
YO: Yarn Over, adding a new stitch and creating a deliberate hole in the fabric.
RS: Right Side (the front or public side of the work)
WS: Wrong Side (the back or inside of the work)
st: Stitches
BO: Bind-Off
K2tog: Knit two stitches together
P2tog: Purl two stitches together
SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (a left-leaning decrease)
M1: Make One - creating a new stitch between existing stitches.
KFB: Knit Front and Back (an increase where one stitch is knitted but not slipped off the needle, then the back loop is knitted)
PFB: Purl Front and Back (similar to KFB, but in purl stitches)
PM: Place Marker (putting a stitch marker on the needle to denote a specific point in the pattern)
TBL: Through the Back Loop (inserting the needle into the back loop of the stitch instead of the front when knitting or purling)
SSP: Slip, Slip, Purl (slipping two stitches knitwise individually, then inserting the left needle into the front loops and purling them together)
Rep: Repeat
*Rep from: Repeat the sequence following the asterisk.
Inc: Increase
Dec: Decrease
Cont: Continue
Tog: Together
Rem: Remaining
foll: Follow
Sl: Slip, moving a stitch from one needle to another without knitting it.
K3tog: Knit three stitches together (decreasing three stitches into one)
P3tog: Purl three stitches together (decreasing three stitches into one)
Tbl: Through the Back Loop (inserting the needle into the back loop of the stitch)
Tfl: Through the Front Loop (inserting the needle into the front loop of the stitch)
C4F: Cable 4 Front (slip 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle)
C4B: Cable 4 Back (slip 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle)
LT: Left Twist
RT: Right Twist
S2KP: Slip 2, Knit 1, Pass Slipped Stitches Over (a double decrease)
alt: Alternate
approx: Approximately
beg: Beginning
bet: Between
byo: Backward yarn over
CA: Color A
CB: Color B
CC: Contrasting color
cross 2 L: Cross two stitches to the left - Moving two stitches to the left.
cross 2 R: Cross two stitches to the right - Moving two stitches to the right.
EOR: End of row
Tools and Materials
● Knitting Needles: These come in various sizes and materials, such as aluminum, plastic, wooden knitting needles, etc.
● Yarn: Different weights and fibers like wool, cotton, acrylic, and blends.
● Stitch Markers: Used to denote specific stitches or sections in a pattern.
● Scissors: Sharp and small for cutting yarn.
● Tapestry Needles: Blunt-tipped needles for weaving in ends and seaming.
● Stitch Holders: Temporary holders for stitches in projects like sleeves or cables.
● Row Counters: Helps track rows or pattern repeats accurately.
● Blocking Tools: Mats, pins, and wires for shaping and setting finished pieces.
● Needle Gauge Ruler: Identifies needle sizes and measures gauge.
● Knitting Bag: Keeps all supplies organized and portable.
● Measuring Tape: For sizing and measuring finished pieces.
● Knitting Gauge Tool: Ensures knitting matches the required gauge.
Types of Knitting Needles
Straight Needles/Single pointed Needles (SPNs):
Traditional straight needles are long and straight and have a stopper at the end to secure the stitches from dropping.
Usage: Ideal for knitting flat pieces like scarves, blankets, and panels for garments.
Circular Needles (CNs):
Two needles connected by a flexible cable come in various materials and lengths.
Usage: Versatile; used for both flat and circular knitting (in the round). Suitable for larger projects like sweaters and shawls.
Double Pointed Needles (DPNs):
DPNs usually come in Knitting needles sets of four or five with points at both ends.
Usage: Primarily for knitting small-circumference items in the round, such as socks, sleeves, and hats.
Interchangeable Needles (ICNs):
Knitting needle sets of needle tips and cables that can be interchanged and connected to create different lengths.
Usage: Offers flexibility by allowing knitters to combine needle sizes and cable lengths for various projects.
Fixed Circular Needles (FCNs):
Similar to interchangeable needles but with fixed needle tips and attached cables.
Usage: Suitable for projects that require specific needle sizes and cable lengths.
Understanding these abbreviations will empower you to tackle various knitting patterns and projects confidently. So, pick a design that entices you the most and start knitting.
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