It is very important when learning something new to be able to understand the terms used in the instructions. New activities or hobbies often have a set of terms that apply to that subject. It will be necessary for the novice to learn and understand them in order to participate easily and effectively in the activity or practice of the craft.
Knitting is no exception. It has a list of terms which need to be understood. It is also helpful to understand that patterns printed in different countries, although all in the same language will each have their own unique terms.
This list of knitting definitions is not intended to be a formal dictionary regurgitation of definition. But rather to be a friendly helpful how to description of the term.
Gauge: The gauge is a test piece which is knit before starting the project. The pattern will give the specifications for the gauge, for example 22 sts and 30 rows = 4" with 4mm needles. This will allow the knitter to compare their knitting tension to the patterns number of stitches required per inch. If their gauge measures 4.5" then they will know to reduce the size of their needles.
Paper bands (wrappers): strips of paper surrounding each ball of yarn for the dual purpose of holding the ball together and providing pertinent information to the knitter (each company supplies different information); company name, price, what yarn is made of; cotton, polyester, acrylic etc., dye lot number, washing instructions, weight of ball, length of strand, how to find ends, some companies print patterns on the inside of the wrapper, company website url, name of yarn, upc code, where the yarn was made.
Dye lot: a number printed on the paper band surrounding the ball of yarn which is used to identify that batch of yarn colour, small variances in shade can be detected in dye lot numbers even though they look the same.
Tension: tightness of worked stitches; very important that the tension in the gauge made matches the tension given in the pattern – even half a stitch will make a big difference in the finished garment.
Row Counter: is a little gadget that can be purchased to slip on the knitting needle before work is begun to count the number of rows worked by turning a little wheel to change the number displayed. (or a pen and paper)
Yarn: the thread found in what is traditionally called a ball of wool, which can be made of a single type of fiber or a mix of different fibers together to form a strand.
