20 Terms Every Knitter Should Know

Ever hear knitters chatting and feel like you’re listening in on a conversation in an unfamiliar foreign language? Have no fear! Here’s a list of 20 common knitting terms that will have you speaking the language of fellow fiber artists in no time!

Please note – the explanations contained in this post refer to a right handed person.

Are you a visual learner? I got you! Here’s a video walk through of all 20 of these terms.

1. Cast on (CO) – the point at which you put yarn onto the needles to begin knitting/the foundation row of stitches.
2. Knit stitch (k) – insert your right hand needle into the stitch on your left needle with the yarn in the back, wrap the yarn coming from the ball around the needle, pull back through the stitch, and take the yarn off your left hand needle.
3. Purl stitch (p) – similar to the knit stitch but the difference is that the yarn is coming from the front instead of the back.
4. Gauge – the number of stitches and rows of stitches per inch (or sometimes 4 inches as listed in patterns). This is crucial information when deciding on which size you should knit for things such as sweaters and hats. If your gauge is off, your project will turn out to be the wrong size.
5. Yarn over (yo) – this is a simple technique in which you wrap the yarn around your needle to create an extra stitch and create decorative holes in your work.
6. Bind off/cast off – finishing your project off by securing your stitches so that they don’t come unraveled.
7. Ribbing – alternating between knit and purl stitches to create a stretchy fabric. This is often used on things like the cuffs of socks and sweaters.
8. Cabling – this is basically just the crossing of stitches which creates designs that resemble braided cables.
9. Decrease (dec) – removing stitches to shape your knitting, often seen in the shaping of sleeves or the tops of hats.
10. Increase (inc) – adding stitches to shape your knitting, often used in garments.
11. Pattern repeat – a set of stitches and/or rows that are repeated throughout a knitting pattern
12. Stockinette stitch – a popular and basic knitting pattern that creates a smooth, flat fabric with rows of knitting and purling when knitting flat. When knitting in the round, stockinette fabric is achieved by knitting only.
13. Wrong side (ws) – the back/underside of your knitted piece
14. Right side (rs) – the front side of your knitting
15. Selvedge edge – the edge stitches that help prevent your work from curling and also provides structure.
16. Blocking – the process of shaping and setting your finished knitting using water or steam.
17. Stitch marker – a small clip or ring placed on the needle or fabric to mark a specific place in your work.
18. Needle size – the diameter of your knitting needle. This influences the size and tension of your stitches.
19. Charts – a visual representation of a knitting pattern using symbols to represent stitches and rows
20. Join – to bring together separate pieces of knitting such as beginning to knit in the round.