Knitting

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A Guide to Knitting Abbreviations

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knitting abbreviationsDifferent hobbies tend to have their own languages that are indecipherable to people not in the know, but in knitting the code can be particularly frustrating to break because so many abbreviations are used in knitting patterns themselves.

Whether you’re new to knitting or have just run across an unfamiliar term in a pattern (aside: if a pattern is good it will explain all the abbreviations used within), this guide to knitting abbreviations from Darn Good Yarn is a good reference. It has about 70 terms explained, from alt to ssk to yon and everything in between.

It doesn’t even touch on the funny acronyms of knitting (like UFO, WIP and SABLE) and there are still 70 different terms? It’s no wonder knitters sometimes knitters feel like they’re breaking a code when they decipher patterns.

[Photo: Darn Good Yarn.]

AbbreviationDescription
BOBind off
COCast on
kKnit
pPurl
k2togKnit two stitches together
sskSlip, slip, knit (decrease)
yoYarn over
RSRight side
WSWrong side
st(s)Stitch(es)
repRepeat
Rnd(s)Round(s)
MCMain color
CCContrasting color
pattPattern
remRemaining

 

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Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.