We are not sure when knitting began. Knitting has a history of articles dating A.D. 200. The date is uncertain. However, most are in agreement that the location it started is in Arabia. As with most types of needlework it has been passed on from person to person and from country to country.
Materials and Equipment for Knitting
Not much is required to begin knitting.
**Yarn** or thread and the **correct needles** are the necessities.
Other useful items to begin knitting would include:
- Counters– these are devices to keep track of stitches, rows, increases and decreases
- Stitch holders- one type looks like a safety pin. I use an old safety diaper pin. The other is for cable knitting and appears like a double pointed needle that bends into a V in the middle.
- A needle gauge – to check needle sizes (many needles do not have the number on them)
- Bobbins- or yarn holders for multicolour knitting like Fair Isle
- Markers or rings- Markers are put on the knitting needle to separate sections or mark a beginning or end of a pattern. They could also indicate where increases or decreases happen.
- Tape measure- I use a flexible cloth tape measure. However, any type would work.
- Scissors-Small embroidery scissors or thread snips work great
- A container to put it all in- any container or bag will work.
Knitting Needle Conversion Chart
Metric US UK/Canada
2.0 0 14
2.25 1 13
2.75 2 12
3.0 – 11
3.25 3 10
3.5 4 –
3.75 5 9
4.0 6 8
4.5 7 7
5.0 8 6
5.5 9 5
6.0 10 4
6.5 10 1/2 3
7.0 – 2
7.5 – 1
8.0 11 0
9.0 13 00
10.0 15 000
12.0 17 –
16.0 19 –
19.0 35 –
25.0 50 –
The language of knitting!
There is a language in knitting that is all it’s own. You will need to understand the words, the phrases, the abbreviations and the terms to turn the yarn using the needles into a knitted fabric.
Common Abbreviations and terms for Knitting
alt alternate
approx approximately
b back
BC back cross
beg beginning
bet between
BO bind off
CA colour A
CB colour B
CC contrasting colour
cm centimeter(s)
cn cable needle
CO cast on
cont continue
dec decrease
dec L decrease L
dec R decrease R
d.p. or dpn double pointed or double pointed needle
FC front cross
fl front loop(s)
foll follow/following
g gram
in(s) inch(es)
incl inclusive
inc increase
inc L increase to the L
inc R increase to the R
K knit
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
kwise knitwise
kb knit into the back of the stitch
LH left handed needle
lp(s) loop(s)
m meter(s)
M1 make 1 stitch
M1 p-st make 1 purl stitch
MC main colour
mm millimeter(s)
oz ounce(s)
P purl
pat(s) or patt pattern(s)
Pb purl into the back of stitch
pm place marker
pnso pass next stitch over
pop popcorn
p2tog purl 2 stitches together
prev previous
psso pass slip stitch over
pu 1 pick up 1 stitch
pwise purlwise
rem remain/remaining
rep repeat(s)
rev St st reverse stocking stitch
*or** repeat directions in same order following asterisk
( ) or * * repeat directions found between parentheses or asterisks
RH right handed needle
rnd(s) round(s)
RS right side
sk skip
skp slip, knit, pass stitch over-one stitch decreased
sk2p slip 1, knit 2 tog., pass slip stitch over the knit 2 tog. (2 stitches decreased)
sp single pointed
sl, s slip
sl1k slip 1 knitwise
sl1p slip 1 purlwise
sl st slip stitch(es)
ss slip stitch (Canadian)
ssk slip, slip, knit
st(es) stitch(es)
St st stockinette stitch/stocking stitch
tbl through back loop
tog together
tw twist
WS wrong side
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
yd(s) yard(s)
yfwd yarn forward
yo or o yarn over
yrn yarn round needle
yon yarn over needle
yh or wyib yarn to back of work
yb or wyif yarn to front of work
There are two basic stitches in knitting. They are the knit stitch and the purl stitch. It is all the combinations, varieties, and manipulations of theses stitches that create the limitless patterns we use to knit. Directions for making a knitted article follow many of these abbreviations and terms.
lol…I have tried knitting a few times in my life and just didn’t find any excitement for it.
This article gives me hope though and the thought that maybe i should try knitting again.
Thank you
I love handwork, more so than machine work. I either hand piece hexagons or knit for myself or my family accompanied by my tea when I get up and at the end of the day when we are relaxing. And, sometimes in between..LOL. I find knitting rhythmic and meditative.