Knitting Patterns: The Special Language

There are several factors to knitting patterns. Before knitting, you must have certain designs in mind before starting, you should also understand special techniques with your needles and you must also know how to understand the special language of knitters. Experts and beginners will have packets that contain instructions with yarn. The instructions may contain abbreviated words and notes.

A couple basic stitch abbreviations are ‘K’ and/or ‘P’. The letter ‘K’ stands for knit stitch. A knit stitch is basically pulling a loop of yarn through a pre-made loop on the needle. When you see the letter ‘P’, it means you should do a purl stitch. A purl stitch is when you pull the yarn through the front of a loop.

Perform a cast on when you are first beginning. A cast on is abbreviated by the letters ‘CO’. Create loops with your yarn on the needle in order to complete a cast on. After you have finished doing a cast on, follow with either a purl or knit stitch. Your instructions will most likely guide you through making the actual pattern now.

Throughout the instructions, abbreviations such as ‘Inc’, ‘Dec’, ‘Rep’ and ‘Sl’ may appear. ‘Inc’ simply means increase; as in increase the number of your stitches by one or more. This can be done with either knit or purl stitches and is usually in the front then the back of the same stitch. ‘Dec’ refers to decrease; this means to eliminate one or more stitches. Basic decreases are when two stitches are worked together as one.

‘Rep’ stands for repeat; if you encounter this, just repeat the same thing again according to the amount of times instructed. ‘Sl’ is short for slip. When you slip, you slip a stitch from one needle to the other without working it.

‘Maintain pattern as established’ and ‘work even’ are two common phrases within instructions, too. When you ‘maintain pattern as established’, you have been adding or eliminated stitches at the edges of the design. Subtracting or adding stitches usually does not mess up the pattern. When you ‘work even’, you are simply continuing with your knitting without altering the amount of stitches.

As you continue with your knitting patterns, it should become easier. You will gradually become accustomed to the wordings, too. When you get towards the end of the project, you will see the abbreviation ‘BO’, which stands for bind off. This is instructing you to finish your knitted piece. Good job and good luck!

Are you a seasoned knitter or a beginner that still sometimes needs knitting help? If you’re looking for Knitting Help For Picking Up Stitches you’ll find it on our site.