Knitting Glossary

Enhance your knitting skills with our complete glossary of terms, techniques, and tools. Perfect for all skill levels, this guide covers essential stitches, specialty methods, and everything in between.

Cast On

The process of creating the initial stitches on the needle, forming the foundation row for a knitting project. There are various methods, such as the long-tail cast-on, knit cast-on, and cable cast-on, each giving a slightly different edge.

Knit Stitch

Purl Stitch

The reverse of the knit stitch. When a row of knit stitches is followed by a row of purl stitches, it forms stockinette stitch, which has a smooth side (knit) and a bumpy side (purl).

Bind Off (Cast Off)

Explanation: Binding off secures the last row of stitches, finishing your project. There are many methods, each giving a different stretch or look to the edge. Examples:. Standard Bind Off: Creates a firm edge, suitable for most projects. Stretchy Bi

Stockinette Stitch

Stockinette stitch is achieved by knitting one row and purling the next, resulting in a smooth side (knit) and a bumpy side (purl). It’s commonly used in garments for its flat, even appearance. Drawbacks: Stockinette stitch curls at the edges, so add

Garter Stitch

Made by knitting every row, garter stitch is stretchy, durable, and lays flat, making it a good choice for borders and stable fabric. Use Case: Ideal for scarves, blankets, and borders where a clean, flat edge is needed. Fun Fact: Garter stitch is re

Ribbing

Ribbing is created by alternating knit and purl stitches within a row, giving the fabric elasticity and texture. 1x1 rib (knit one, purl one) is common, as is 2x2 rib (knit two, purl two). Use Case: Ribbing is typically used for cuffs, collars, and h

Slip Stitch

A technique where a stitch is passed from one needle to the other without being worked. Slip stitches can create decorative textures, add color patterns, or reinforce specific areas (e.g., in sock heels). Advanced Option: Slip Stitch Mosaic Knitting

Increase

Increases add stitches to a row to expand the fabric’s width. Different techniques produce different results, such as a visible decorative element or a seamless increase.Examples:. Knit Front and Back (KFB): Creates a small bar below the new stitch,

Decrease

Decreases reduce the number of stitches, often for shaping. They can lean left or right, adding subtle shaping details to items like hats or sweaters.Examples:. Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease. Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leani

Cable Knitting

Cable knitting creates twists and braids by crossing groups of stitches over each other. A cable needle holds stitches temporarily to make the twists. Variations: Aran patterns often feature multiple cables of varying thicknesses and directions, crea

Lace Knitting

Lace uses a combination of increases (yarn overs) and decreases to create open, airy designs. Lace patterns range from simple eyelets to intricate floral motifs. Use Case: Common in shawls, scarves, and lightweight tops, lace knitting creates delicat

Fair Isle Knitting

A stranded colorwork technique where two or more colors are knit within a single row, creating repeating patterns. Fair Isle is traditionally knit in the round to maintain consistent tension. Technique Tip: Float (carry) unused colors loosely behind

Intarsia

Intarsia is a colorwork method used to create blocks of color without carrying the yarn across the back. Each color section has its own yarn bobbin, allowing for clean color changes without stranding. Tip: Securely twist yarns at each color change to

Brioche Knitting

This technique creates a thick, textured fabric that’s reversible. It often uses two colors, creating a visually rich, sculpted effect. Brioche knitting involves slipped stitches and yarn overs, making it challenging but rewarding. Tip: Use lifelines

Short Rows

Short rows add extra fabric in targeted areas (e.g., for shaping shoulders or creating curved hems). Turning mid-row and knitting back allows specific areas to be lengthened without affecting the entire row. Popular Method: German short rows are favo

Magic Loop

The Magic Loop technique allows you to knit small circumferences in the round without using double-pointed needles (DPNs). Instead, a long circular needle (typically 32 inches or longer) is used, with the cable looped out on each side to divide the s

Knitting in the Round

A method using circular or double-pointed needles to knit continuously in a spiral. It’s often used for seamless projects like hats, sweaters, and mittens. Fun Fact: Knitting in the round eliminates the need to purl in stockinette stitch, as every ro

Double Knitting

Double knitting creates two layers of fabric at once, resulting in a reversible pattern with colorwork visible on both sides. It’s great for scarves, hats, and other items that show both sides. Tip: Practice tension control, as double knitting requir

Steeking

Steeking is a technique where extra stitches are knit into a project in the round, then cut open (e.g., to create a cardigan from a pullover). Steeks are typically reinforced with crochet or sewing before cutting to secure the edges. Tip: Use wool ya

Circular Needles

Circular needles consist of two needle tips connected by a flexible cable, allowing you to knit in the round or flat. They come in various lengths, from 9 inches (for small-circumference projects like socks) to 60 inches (for large projects like blan

Double-Pointed Needles (DPNs)

DPNs are short needles (typically 4-8 inches) with points at both ends. They are used for small-circumference projects knit in the round, such as socks, mittens, or the tops of hats. A set usually contains four or five needles, allowing you to divide

Cable Needles

Cable needles are short, curved or straight needles that hold stitches temporarily while knitting cables, allowing them to cross over or under other stitches to create twisted patterns. Common shapes include U-shaped and hooked needles that help secu

Stitch Markers

Stitch markers are small rings or clips that can be slipped onto the needle or attached to the fabric to indicate specific points. They’re especially helpful for tracking pattern repeats, marking the beginning of a round, or reminding you where to in

Row Counter

Row counters help track row numbers, especially in intricate patterns where counting rows can be challenging. Some are manually rotated, while others are digital and allow for multiple project tracking. Types of Row Counters:. Tip: If you don’t have

Yarn Needle (Darning Needle)

A yarn needle, also called a darning needle, is a large needle with a blunt end and an eye large enough to thread yarn through. It’s used to weave in ends, sew seams, and graft pieces together. Yarn needles are essential in finishing work, ensuring t

Stich Holder

Stitch holders are metal or plastic clips designed to hold live stitches temporarily. They’re used when stitches need to rest while other parts of the project are completed, such as the underarm stitches in a sweater or stitches in a cardigan front t

Blocking Mats and Pins

Blocking mats and pins are essential tools for finishing knitted items. Blocking involves wetting or steaming the piece, then stretching it to the desired shape on a blocking mat. Blocking mats are typically foam or felt, and the pins hold the knitte

Swatch

A swatch is a small sample knitted to check gauge, tension, and fabric behavior before beginning a project. Swatching ensures that the final piece will match the pattern’s specified dimensions, preventing fit issues in garments or accessories. How to

Ply

Ply refers to the number of individual strands (or plies) twisted together to create a yarn. Each ply adds strength and can change the texture, appearance, and behavior of the yarn. Choosing Ply for Your Project:. Tip: If you’re knitting something th

Weight (Yarn Weight)

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn, ranging from very fine (lace weight) to very thick (super bulky). Yarn weight affects the gauge (stitches per inch) and overall feel of the finished fabric, as well as the recommended needle size. Unde

Gauge

Gauge is the measurement of stitches and rows per inch in a knitted fabric. It depends on factors such as yarn weight, needle size, and the individual knitter’s tension. Achieving the correct gauge ensures that a project’s size and fit will match the

Colorway

A yarn’s colorway refers to its specific color or dye pattern. Colorways vary by brand and can be solid, semi-solid, variegated, self-striping, gradient, or speckled. Different colorways can dramatically impact the look of a knitted piece, from subtl

Fiber Content

Fiber content refers to the material that makes up the yarn, which can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of both. Each fiber type has unique properties, such as warmth, elasticity, durability, and breathability, affecting the yarn’s behavior, feel, a

Weaving in Ends

Weaving in ends involves hiding yarn tails from casting on, binding off, and color changes within the knitted fabric to prevent unraveling. Done correctly, this process ensures that the project is both durable and visually tidy, with no loose ends po

Blocking

Blocking is a finishing step that uses moisture and heat to set the fabric’s shape, open up stitches, and even out tension. By wetting or steaming the project, you can shape it to the desired dimensions, enhancing the drape and stitch definition. Blo

Blocking Tools

Tip: Block your swatch the same way you’ll block your final project, as blocking can alter gauge, especially with natural fibers.

Felting

Felting is a process that binds wool fibers together through heat, moisture, and agitation, creating a dense, durable fabric. It’s particularly popular for sturdy items like bags, slippers, and hats. When wool fibers are exposed to agitation in hot w

Picking Up Stitches

Picking up stitches involves adding new stitches along an edge of knitted fabric to attach another section, such as a collar, button band, or sleeve. This technique creates a seamless join between pieces and is common in garment construction. It’s al

I-Cord

An I-Cord (or Idiot Cord) is a narrow, tubular piece of knitting, often used for decorative edges, straps, drawstrings, or embellishments. It can be created separately or knit directly onto an edge, adding a seamless, finished look. I-Cords are typic

Slip-Slip Knit

SSK is a left-leaning decrease that creates a smooth, tidy finish by reducing the stitch count by one. It’s achieved by slipping two stitches individually as if to knit, then knitting them together through the back loop. Often used in combination wit

Yarn Over (YO)

A yarn over is an increase technique that creates an extra stitch by wrapping the yarn over the needle. YOs are common in lace knitting and decorative patterns, adding small holes (eyelets) that allow light to pass through the fabric. They’re used no

M1 (Make One)

M1, or Make One, is a common increase stitch that creates a new stitch by lifting the bar between two stitches and knitting into it. M1 is practically invisible and doesn’t leave a gap, making it ideal for subtle shaping. It can lean left (M1L) or ri

Knit Two Together (K2tog)

K2tog is a right-leaning decrease that reduces the stitch count by knitting two stitches together as one. It’s often paired with SSK to create balanced shaping, particularly in hats, socks, and garment shaping. K2tog is fast and straightforward, crea

Bind Off in Pattern

Binding off in pattern means finishing the stitches while maintaining the stitch pattern (e.g., ribbing or seed stitch). It’s often used on the final edge of a garment or accessory to provide a polished look that blends seamlessly with the rest of th

Picot Bind-Off

A picot bind-off creates a decorative, scalloped edge by adding small loops along the edge of the fabric. It’s often used for finishing edges on lace shawls, baby blankets, or other items needing a playful or decorative finish. How to Picot Bind Off:

Grafting (Kitchener Stitch)

Grafting, often done using Kitchener Stitch, is a method of joining two sets of live stitches seamlessly. It’s most commonly used for sock toes but can also join other sections of knitting without a visible seam. Kitchener stitch creates a smooth, co

Mattress Stitch

Mattress stitch is a method of seaming knitted pieces together by creating an invisible join along the edges, often used to assemble garments. By working through the “bars” on the edge stitches, mattress stitch aligns rows or stitches perfectly, crea

Provisional Cast-On

A provisional cast-on is a temporary cast-on that allows you to later “unzip” the starting edge and pick up live stitches, creating a seamless connection. It’s especially useful for pieces that need symmetry, as it enables knitting in the opposite di