T-reference

You can find descriptions of knitting techniques from the links on this page, or you can use the search box to search for articles.

Different knitters often use different words to describe the same thing. You will see this in the list below, where items often have an “also known as” entry. I have tried to be consistent in my use of terms within the articles in this section. Some of the terms I have chosen may not be in common use, so I have provided a list for these on the “Terminology” page.

Index to groups of topics RSS feed

Preparing a project

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Tools and skills

Flat knitting

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Circular knitting

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Knitting needles

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Basics

Swatches

Swatching in the round

Also known as: Swatching for circular knitting ...
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Knitting your project

Continue in pattern

Many patterns ask you to "continue in pattern" in an area that contains increases or decreases. Reading your knitting lets you know where in the "pattern" you are keeping to start and finish ...
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Finding problems

We all make mistakes. Counting and looking for differences between areas of your fabric (especially between repeats) are key tools to help you find any mistakes early ...
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It’s more than your eyes

Reading your knitting involves more than your eyes. Touch is a very useful sense that lets you know when things might be going wrong as you are making the stitches ...
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Knitting backwards

Also known as: Mirror knitting ...
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Matching what you see to the pattern

Most people follow a pattern when they are knitting. Knowing how to match the instructions in the pattern to what you see as the fabric is formed on your needles is central to reading your knitting ...
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Recognising how a fabric was made

Have you seen a fabric that you like? You can use your skills in reading your knitting to help you work out how to reproduce it ...
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Recognising the basics

All knitting is based on variations of two basic stitches (knit and purl, where the working yarn passes through an existing loop in the fabric) and yarn overs (where the working yarn does not pass through an existing stitch). Recognising these and their variations in your knitted fabric is a key skill for reading your knitting ...
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Reading patterns

Starting and ending

Casting on

Finger cast-ons

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Compound half-hitch cast-ons

Twisted knit half-hitch cast-on

Also known as: German twisted cast-on, Old Norwegian cast-on ...
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Wrapped cast-ons

Basic stranded cast-on

Also known as: Gauge swatch cast-on ...
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Knitted cast-ons

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Aids to casting-on

Casting off (Binding off)

Basic stranded cast-off

Also known as: Basic stranded bind-off ...
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Joinery cast-off

Also known as: three-needle bind-off ...
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Stitches

Plain stitches

Knitting backwards

Also known as: Mirror knitting ...
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Decrease stitches

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Increase stitches

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Stitch patterns

Using colours

Striped colour work

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Intarsia

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Stranded colour work

Catching floats in stranded knitting

Also known as: Trapping floats, Weaving-in floats, Avoiding long floats ...
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Decreases in colour work

Also known as: Colour work - ssk or k2tog? ...
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Holding yarn for stranded knitting

Also known as: Holding yarn for Fair Isle knitting, Holding yarn for colour knitting ...
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Stranded colour-work

Also known as: Fair Isle, fairisle, stranded colorwork ...
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Vertical stripe ribbing

Also known as: Stranded Ribbing, Cartridge Rib, Corrugated Rib, Two-colour Basque ...
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Choice of colour

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Maths for knitters

Finishing