BO – (Knit) Bind off – As with cast on, there are a lot of ways to bind off a project and remove the yarn from the knitting needle(s). Bind off and cast off are sometimes used interchangeably, but the abbreviation can’t change to avoid confusion with cast on. Patterns might call for a specific bind off as some bind off methods are tighter or stretchier or best for the overall pattern of the project.

ch – (Crochet) chain stitch

CO – (Knit) Cast on – There are a lot of different methods to cast on and it seems that those who knit have their particular favorite methods that they swear by to get the yarn onto the knitting needle(s). Patterns will sometimes recommend a specific cast-on (ie. long-tail cast-on).

dc – (Crochet) double crochet

Frog – To tear out a bunch of work to correct a mistake or reclaim material for a new project. Seems to be named in reference to a frog croak, ‘ribbit ‘ sounding similar to the action, ‘rip it ‘. Dogs, cats, or children might take the unsolicited initiative to frog a project for you – super helpful, that.

Garter stitch – (Knit) Garter stitch is really just the knit stitch used over two or more consecutive rows of a project.

k – (Knit) Knit – the most basic stitch in knitting. Using only the knit stitch, it is possibly to create many simple projects (garter stitch).

LYS – Local Yarn Shop. This abbreviation stumped me for a good, long while. I like supporting local economy and local yarn shops are a great way to do this. People in the shops are often very skilled in various fiber arts and happy to help answer questions.

sc – (Crochet) single crochet

Tink – To carefully undo prior stitches one-by-one to correct a mistake. T-I-N-K is the opposite of K-N-I-T and I was proud – daresay, boastful – for having invented this so-very-clever word. Once part of my lexicon, ‘tink’ was shared with anyone polite enough to pretend to care. I know. I’m incredible. And I believed it, too, until I attended my first group knitting event only to find I might as well be perming my hair with at-home kits, that’s how far behind the times and late to the game I am on this. Oh well.

tr – (Crochet) treble crochet

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