These are some of the most commonly used knitting terms in my patterns.
BASIC STITCHES
Selvages
They are the outermost stitches of each row (first and last).
Work stitches as they present themselves
Work the stitches in the manner they present themselves on the needle, without changing the stitch type. Here's a breakdown of how to work different stitch types as they appear:
Knit stitches (purl side): When you come across a knit stitch on the purl side of the work, you should purl that stitch instead of knitting it.
Purl stitches (knit side): When you encounter a purl stitch on the knit side of the work, you should knit that stitch instead of purling it.
Garter Stitch
Knit all rows.
Stockinette Stitch
Right-side rows are knit stitches, and wrong-side rows are purl stitches.
1st row: Knit stitch
2nd row: Purl stitch
Repeat these two rows.
Reverse Stockinette Stitch
Right-side rows are purl stitches, and wrong-side rows are knit stitches.
1st row: Purl stitch
2nd row: Knit stitch
Repeat these two rows.
Ribbing Stitch (1x1)
Alternate knitting one stitch and purling one stitch in the right-side row, and knit stitches as they present themselves in the wrong-side row.
Ribbing Stitch (2x2)
Same as ribbing stitch (1x1), but knit two stitches and purl two stitches alternately in the right-side row, and knit stitches as they present themselves in the wrong-side row.
Ribbing Stitch (2x1)
Same as ribbing stitch (1x1), but you knit two stitches and purl one stitch alternately in the right-side row, and knit stitches as they present themselves in the wrong-side row.
Tubular Stitch
Same as ribbing stitch (1x1), but the purl stitches are slipped with the yarn in front of the work.
Seed Stitch
Knit one stitch, purl one stitch. Repeat this pattern until the end of the row. On the wrong-side row, work the stitches opposite to how they appear.
Slip Stitch
Slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle without knitting.
Slip, Knit, Pass Slipped Stitch Over
Slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle without knitting, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.
Slip, Knit 2 together, Pass Slipped Stitch Over
Slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle without knitting, knit the next two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitches.
Short rows
They are used to shape the fabric. The technique consists of knitting to the desired point, turning the work around, and continuing knitting on the other side in order to knit more rows in one section of the garment.
ABBREVIATIONS
These are the most common abbreviations used in the patterns:
BH Marks a row with a buttonhole
BO Bind (cast) off the number of stitches indicated
cm Centimeters
dcr Marks a row with decreases
gr Grams
K Knit
K2Tog Knit 2 stitches together
m Meters
M1L Make 1 Left: Pick up with the left needle the horizontal strand of yarn between the
two needles, from front to back. Knit through the back loop the stitch you just
picked up on your left needle.
M1R Make 1 Right: Pick up with the left needle the horizontal strand of yarn between the
two needles, from back to front. Knit into the front of the stitch you just picked up
on your left needle.
mm Millimeters
P Purl
S1K1 Slip 1 knit 1: Slip one stitch, knit 1 stitch and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted
one.
St(s) Stitch(es)
YO Yarn Over
()* Repeat instructions in ()* until end of row or the next set of stitches. An exponent
number indicates the number of repetitions. For example: ()4 = repeat 4 times the
stitches inside the ().