The Darling Jadore library
Dictionary
Every knitting and crochet abbreviation, stitch, and technique defined clearly.
No matching terms.
01
Knitting Terms
| Abbreviation | Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| k | Knit | Insert needle into stitch from left to right, wrap yarn, pull through |
| p | Purl | Insert needle into stitch from right to left, wrap yarn, pull through |
| CO | Cast On | Creating the initial stitches on the needle to begin knitting |
| BO | Bind Off / Cast Off | Securing stitches to prevent unraveling when finishing a piece |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) | A single loop of yarn on the needle |
| RS | Right Side | The public-facing side of your knitted fabric |
| WS | Wrong Side | The back or inside of your knitted fabric |
| rep | Repeat | Work the specified instructions again |
| rem | Remaining | The stitches left on your needle |
| rnd | Round | One complete circuit when knitting in the round |
| yo | Yarn Over | Wrap yarn around the needle to create a new stitch and decorative hole |
| sl | Slip | Move a stitch from one needle to the other without working it |
| sl1p | Slip 1 Purlwise | Slip one stitch as if to purl |
| sl1k | Slip 1 Knitwise | Slip one stitch as if to knit |
| kfb | Knit Front and Back | Increase by knitting into the front and back of the same stitch |
| pfb | Purl Front and Back | Increase by purling into the front and back of the same stitch |
| M1 | Make One | Increase by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting into it |
| M1L | Make One Left | Left-leaning increase; lift bar from front, knit through the back |
| M1R | Make One Right | Right-leaning increase; lift bar from back, knit through the front |
| k2tog | Knit 2 Together | Right-leaning decrease; knit two stitches as one |
| p2tog | Purl 2 Together | Purl two stitches together as one |
| ssk | Slip, Slip, Knit | Left-leaning decrease; slip 2 knitwise, knit together through back loops |
| skp | Slip, Knit, Pass | Left-leaning decrease; slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over |
| s2kp | Slip 2, Knit 1, Pass | Centered double decrease; slip 2 together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over |
| k3tog | Knit 3 Together | Double decrease; knit three stitches as one |
| tbl | Through Back Loop | Work the stitch through the back loop instead of the front |
| w&t | Wrap and Turn | Short row technique; wrap yarn around next stitch, then turn work |
| pm | Place Marker | Place a stitch marker on the needle |
| sm | Slip Marker | Move the marker from one needle to the other |
| c4f | Cable 4 Front | Slip 2 to cable needle, hold front, k2, k2 from cable needle |
| c4b | Cable 4 Back | Slip 2 to cable needle, hold back, k2, k2 from cable needle |
| c6f | Cable 6 Front | Slip 3 to cable needle, hold front, k3, k3 from cable needle |
| c6b | Cable 6 Back | Slip 3 to cable needle, hold back, k3, k3 from cable needle |
| dpn(s) | Double-Pointed Needles | Short needles with points on both ends for small circumferences |
| circ | Circular Needle | Two needle tips connected by a flexible cable |
| cn | Cable Needle | Short specialty needle for holding stitches when working cables |
| WPI | Wraps Per Inch | Measuring yarn thickness by wrapping around a ruler |
| gauge | Gauge / Tension | Stitches and rows per inch; critical for sizing accuracy |
| stockinette | Stockinette Stitch | Knit RS, purl WS; creates smooth V-shaped fabric |
| garter | Garter Stitch | Knit every row; creates bumpy, reversible fabric |
| seed | Seed Stitch | Alternate k1, p1; offset each row for textured fabric |
| rib | Ribbing | Alternating knit and purl columns for stretchy edges |
| frogging | Frogging | Ripping out knitting by pulling yarn; named for “rip it, rip it” |
| tinking | Tinking | Un-knitting stitch by stitch (“knit” spelled backward) |
| blocking | Blocking | Wetting or steaming finished knitting to set shape and even stitches |
| mattress st | Mattress Stitch | Invisible seaming technique for joining knitted pieces |
| kitchener | Kitchener Stitch | Grafting that creates an invisible join between live stitches |
| i-cord | I-Cord | A narrow knitted tube made on dpns or circular needles |
| raglan | Raglan | Top-down construction with diagonal increase lines from neckline |
| ease | Ease | Difference between body and garment measurements |
| selvedge | Selvedge | Edge stitches, often worked differently for a neat finish |
| lifeline | Lifeline | Thread run through live stitches as a safety net |
| f/o | Finished Object | A completed knitting project |
| WIP | Work in Progress | A project currently being worked on |
| UFO | Unfinished Object | A project set aside and not yet completed |
| stash | Yarn Stash | A knitter’s collection of yarn |
| LYS | Local Yarn Store | A shop specializing in yarn and knitting supplies |
02
Crochet Terms
| Abbreviation | Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| ch | Chain | Foundation stitch; yarn over and pull through loop on hook |
| sl st | Slip Stitch | Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops |
| sc | Single Crochet | Insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops |
| hdc | Half Double Crochet | YO, insert hook, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops |
| dc | Double Crochet | YO, insert hook, pull up loop, twice |
| tr | Treble Crochet | YO twice, insert hook, pull up loop, three times |
| dtr | Double Treble | YO 3 times, insert hook, pull up loop, four times |
| sk | Skip | Pass over the next stitch without working it |
| sp | Space | Gap created by a chain between stitches |
| sc2tog | SC 2 Together | Decrease: pull up loop in 2 stitches, YO through all 3 |
| dc2tog | DC 2 Together | Work 2 incomplete dc, YO through all loops |
| FLO | Front Loop Only | Work into only the front loop for ridged texture |
| BLO | Back Loop Only | Work into only the back loop for ribbed look |
| FPdc | Front Post DC | YO, insert hook around front of post, complete as dc |
| BPdc | Back Post DC | YO, insert hook around back of post, complete as dc |
| bobble | Bobble | Multiple incomplete stitches joined at top for 3D bump |
| puff | Puff Stitch | Multiple YOs and pull-ups in same stitch for puffy texture |
| shell | Shell Stitch | Multiple dc in same stitch for fan shape |
| pc | Popcorn | Several dc in one stitch, remove hook, pull through first dc |
| magic ring | Magic Ring | Starting crochet in the round with no center hole |
03
Yarn Weights
| Weight | Also Called | Needle Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – Lace | Cobweb, Thread | US 000-1 (1.5-2.25mm) | Shawls, doilies, lace |
| 1 – Fingering | Sock, Baby | US 1-3 (2.25-3.25mm) | Socks, baby items, shawls |
| 2 – Sport | Baby | US 3-5 (3.25-3.75mm) | Light sweaters, baby items |
| 3 – DK | Light Worsted | US 5-7 (3.75-4.5mm) | Sweaters, cardigans, hats |
| 4 – Worsted | Aran, Afghan | US 7-9 (4.5-5.5mm) | Sweaters, blankets, scarves |
| 5 – Bulky | Chunky, Craft | US 9-11 (5.5-8mm) | Cowls, hats, quick blankets |
| 6 – Super Bulky | Roving | US 11-17 (8-12.75mm) | Arm knitting, fast blankets |
| 7 – Jumbo | Extreme | US 17+ (12.75mm+) | Extreme knitting, rugs |
04
Needle and Hook Sizes
| US Size | Metric (mm) | UK/Canadian |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2.0mm | 14 |
| 1 | 2.25mm | 13 |
| 2 | 2.75mm | 12 |
| 3 | 3.25mm | 10 |
| 4 | 3.5mm | – |
| 5 | 3.75mm | 9 |
| 6 | 4.0mm | 8 |
| 7 | 4.5mm | 7 |
| 8 | 5.0mm | 6 |
| 9 | 5.5mm | 5 |
| 10 | 6.0mm | 4 |
| 10.5 | 6.5mm | 3 |
| 11 | 8.0mm | 0 |
| 13 | 9.0mm | 00 |
| 15 | 10.0mm | 000 |
| 17 | 12.75mm | – |
This dictionary is a living resource and will be updated as the maker community evolves.