Definitions

bind off (or cast off) - technique for removing the project from the needle.  To do this, knit (or purl, following the pattern) two stitches as normal.  Pull the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch, and allow that first stitch to drop off.  Knit one new stitch and pull the other stitch over the new stitch the same way you did the first one.  Repeat to the end.

cable - a type of knitting that involves knitting one stitch (or group of stitches) over another.

cast off (or bind off) - technique for removing the project from the needle.  To do this, knit two stitches as normal.  Pull the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch, and allow that first stitch to drop off.  Knit one new stitch and pull the other stitch over the new stitch the same way you did the first one.  Repeat to the end.

cast on - place the first stitches on the needle.  There are a few methods for casting on:

• long tail cast on video
• casting on with knitting stitches video

circular knitting - commonly referred to as "working in the round", this knitting technique involves using circular needles - that is, two needles attached by a wire.  in circular knitting, the fabric is always knitted from the same side.

decrease - remove a stitch to make a row shorter.  Decreasing and increasing give shape to the piece.

flat knitting - as opposed to circular knitting, flat knitting is knitting that involves knitting from alternate sides -- the "wrong side" and the "right side."

garter stitch - the name for the pattern made by knitting all rows

gauge - the number of stitches per row that are needed to give one inch of finished knitting

increase - add a new stitch to make a row longer.  Increasing and decreasing give shape to the piece.

join - add a new yarn to the project

knit - one of the two main knitting stitches

purl - one of the two main knitting stitches  video

ribbing - a combination of stitches that gives the piece elasticity (There are many ways to achieve ribbing; a common formula is knitting two stitches, then purling two stitches, over and over until the end of the row, then repeating for all rows.)

right side - in flat knitting, the side that faces toward the viewer (and away from the wearer's body)

slip - move the stitch from the left needle to the right needle, without knitting it

slip knot - the knot needed to begin casting on stitches.   video
stockinette stitch - the name for the pattern made by alternating a knit row and a purl row

wrong side - in flat knitting, the side that faces away from the viewer (and toward the wearer's body)

yarn over - wind the yarn around the needle (as many times as directed, only once if unspecified) before knitting the stitch with it




Abbreviations
alt - alternate
beg - begin
BO - bind off
CC - contrasting color
CO - cast on/off
cn - cable needle
cont - continue
dec - decrease
dpn - double pointed needles
eor - every other row
g - grams
inc - increase
K - knit
k2togh - knit 2 together
MC - main color
M1 - make one
mb - make bobble
mm - millimeter
mn - make nobble
P - purl
pm - place marker
psso - pass slip stitch over
rem - remaining
rep - repeat
Rev St st - reverse stockinette stitch
RS - right side
rnd - round
sm - slip marker
sl - slip
st(s) - stitch(es)
St st - stockinette stitch
tbl - through back loop(s)
tog - together
WS - wrong side
wyib - with yarn in back
wyif - with yarn in front
yfon - yarn forward over needle
yfrn - yarn forward and round needle
yo - yarn over
yon - yarn over needle
* - repeat instructions from asterisk for the number of times indicated
[ ] - repeat instructions inside brackets for the number of times indicated