This article is a continuation of some of the most common knitting terms. You will come across these terms in various patterns so it would be good for you to be familiar with them.

Ribbing: A pattern stitch often used at the top, bottom and edges of a garment; a stitch characterized by vertical ridges that have elasticity.

Right side row: The side of knitting that will be on the outside of a garment when finished.

Round: A row in circular knitting is when every stitch on a set of four or five double-pointed needles or a circular needle is worked.

Row: A horizontal set of stitches.

Row gauge: The number of rows per inch.

Selvage: The edge of a piece of fabric that has been finished to prevent raveling.

Slipped stitch: A stitch that is slipped from one needle to another without being worked; if is does not say slip as if to knit, then slip it as if to purl.

Stitch gauge: The number of stitches per inch.

Stockinette: The most common stitch in knitting is made when you knit one row and purl one row. In knitters’ jargon, the “right side” is the knit side and the “wrong side” is the purl side.  Patterns that use the purl side as the right side are called reverse stockinet stitches.

Texture stitch: A stitch with a surface or textured interest; texture stitches can be made by different combinations of cables, popcorns, bobbles, twisted stitches and others.

Twisted rib: Rib stitch in which the knit stitches are twisted by knitting into the back instead of the front loops.

With the yarn in the back: When the yarn is held in the back away from  the knitter as in knitting; With the yarn in the front: When the yarn is held in front as in purling.

Work: Another name for the knitting project that you are currently working on. Working stitch: The stitch you are presently working on. Working yarn: The yarn you are using to knit.

Wrong side row: The side of the knitting that will be on the inside or back when finished.

Although some of these terms are very basic, they are often confusing to new knitters.  I hope these simple definitions will help as you continue trying new patterns.

If at any time, you have a question or are stuck on a project, feel free to contact me at my email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will be happy to help you.

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