Glossary of terms
Abbreviations
alt - alternate
approx - approximately
beg - beginning
bet - between
BO - bind off
CC - contrast color
CO - cast on
ch - chain(s)
cm - centimeter
cn - cable needle
cont - contiue(s)(ing)
dc - double crochet (U.K.: tr - treble)
dec - decrease
dpn - double point needle(s)
foll - following
g st - garter stitch: knit every stitch and every row, In circular knitting knit one round and then purl one round
gm - gram(s)
hdc - half double crochet (U.K.: htr - half treble)
in - inch(es)
inc - increase(ing)
k - knit
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together
k1f/b - knit into the front and back of the same stitch
knitwise - slip stitch as if to knit
lp(s) - loop(s)
LH - left hand
m - meter(s)
meas - measures
M1 - make one stitch by lifting strand between needles to LH needle and work strand through back of loop knitting or purling depending on the pattern stitch
MC - main color
mm - millimeter(s)
oz - ounce(s)
p - purl
p2tog - purl 2 stitches together
p1f/b - purl into the front and back of the same stitch
psso - pass slip stitch over
p2sso - pass two slipped stitches over
pat - pattern
pm - place marker
purlwise - slip stich as if to purl
rem - remain(s)(ing)
rep - repeat
rev St St - reverse stockinette stitch: purl on RS and knit on WS. In circular knitting purl all rounds
rnd(s) - round(s)
RH - right hand
RS - right side
sc - single crochet (U.K.: dc - double crochet)
sk - skip
SKP - slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, and pass the slip stitch over the knit stitch
SK2P - slip 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, and pass the slip stitch over K2tog
sl - slip
sl st - slip stitch (U.K.: sc - single crochet)
sp(s) - space(s)
Ssk - slip, slip, knit: slip 2 stitches one at a time as if to knit to RH needle, insert point of LH needle through fronts of these 2 stitches and knit
Ssp - slip, slip, purl: slip 2 stitches one at a time as if to knit to RH needle, return slipped stitches back to the LH needle in turned position and purl through back of both loops
st(s) - stitch(es)
St st - stockinette stitch: knit on RS and purl on WS, In circular knitting knit all rounds.
tbl - through back of loop
tog - together
tr - treble crochet (U.K.: dtr - double treble)
work even - continue in pattern without increasing or decreasing
WS - wrong side
w&t - wrap and turn
wyif - with yarn in front
wyib - with yarn in back
yd - yard(s)
yo - yarn over
yrn - yarn around needle
* - repeat starting point
( ) - instructions that are to be worked as a group a specified number of times
To Check Gauge
Using the needles specified in the pattern, cast on the number of stitches recommended, or at least enough stitches for a 4in wide piece. Work in pattern stitch for 4 inches. Don't bind off your stitches, but just slip the stitches off your needle. Place you gauge swatch on a flat, hard surface and with a straight ruler measure across the middle of the swatch. Or using your ruler as a guide count stitches over 2 inches. Divide your measurement by either 4 or 2. If this number is more than given in the instructions, try a larger sized needle and again check your gauge. If this number is less than given in the instructions, try a smaller sized needle and again check your gauge.
Do the same when checking your row gauge but hold the ruler vertically along the length of the swatch or along a row of stitches for 2 inches counting the rows in these 2 inches.
Working from Charts
Each square on a chart represents a stitch and each row of squares represent a row of knitting. When working from a chart read odd numbered rows from right to left and even rows from left to right, unless otherwise indicated.
Blocking
Blocking will shape pattern pieces and smooth knitted edges in preparation for seaming or for a neat and even edge. Choose a blocking method according to the care instructions on the yarn label. When in doubt test-block your gauge swatch.
Spread out each piece of knitting to the correct measurement and using rust proof pins pin them to a flat, padded surface. You can either wet block or steam block. To wet block use a spray bottle and distilled water and evenly wet your pieces, allowing pieces to dry. To steam block pin pieces with the WS facing. Steam lightly by holding the iron 1in above the pieces. You might also place a damp cloth over the pieces before you steam them. Exercise care when blocking ribs, cables or other textured stitches to prevent flattening them.
Stitching Seams
When stitching knitted pieces together, match areas of color and texture where they meet. Use either a backstitch or mattress stitch. When using a very bulky or highly textured yarn, it is sometimes necessary to seam these pieces with a finer, smoother yarn that closely matches the color of the original yarn.
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