GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
st stitch
sts stitches
sk(s) skein(s)
RS right side (outside) of garment
WS wrong side (inside) of garment
tbl through back loop
tog together (as in a knit or purl decrease)
M1 make a new stitch (see methods below)
PM place marker
SM slip marker
Kf&b knit in the front and the back of the indicated stitch
Kf&b&f knit in the front, the back, and the front again of the indicated stitch
W&T wrap and turn (see short row directions below)
SSK slip 2 stitches as to knit, one at a time onto the right needle. Place left needle into the front loops and knit the o together
slip slip stitch as to purl unless instructed otherwise
wyif with yarn in front
wyib with yarn in back
Rnd round
P(url) 2 tog tbl (see below)
Stockinette Stitch: Knit on right side rows and purl on wrong side rows.
Garter Stitch: In rows, knit every row. In rounds, knit 1 row, purl 1 row. 2 rows make a ridge.
Cable Cast On: This is one of the many ways to cast on. It is the best cast on for most of the Twisted Sisters’ garments, and you are guaranteed not to run out of yarn! Leaving a tail, make a slip knot and place on left needle. Knit into this loop with your right needle and pull out a loop. Place the loop back on to the left needle. (2 sts) *Insert right needle between the first two sts, wrap yarn as to knit, and pull out a stitch. Slip this new stitch back onto the left needle without turning or twisting; repeat from * for the required number of stitches.
Provisional Cast On (Crochet): Use a crochet hook in same size or larger than the knitting needle and smooth waste yarn. Place a slipknot on the crochet hook. Hold it parallel to the right of one knitting needle. Bring yarn in front of the needle and around to the back, catch it with the hook and pull it through the slipknot on the hook. *Bring yarn between hook and needle towards you and around to back of needle, catch it with the hook and pull through the loop on the hook.* 2 “stitches” on needle, one loop on hook. Repeat between * * until there are the correct number of stitches on the needle. Crochet several more chains with the waste yarn alone end off, pulling yarn tail through loop. Begin to knit as directed with the garment yarn. When it is time to remove the waste yarn, unzip the chain by undoing the last chain and pulling. The garment stitches (1 less) will then be “live.”
Make One Right (M1R): With the left needle, lift up the running thread between two stitches, from back to front. Knit into the front of the loop, twisting it. For a M1R purlwise, purl the loop in the front instead of knitting it.
Make One Left (M1L): With left needle, lift up the running threads between two stitches, from front to back. Knit into the back of the loop, twisting it. For a M1L purlwise, purl the loop in the back instead of knitting it.
Purl 2 tog tbl: This decrease changes the overlay positions of the stitches (like K2 tog and SSK). Turn work towards you slightly and with yarn in front, place right needle through the 2 stitches on the back side of needle, going from left to right and purl them together.
Mattress Stitch: This is a seaming technique. Lay the two pieces to be seamed, side by side, right sides up. Using a tapestry needle threaded with yarn, anchor the yarn at the start of the seam, then weave it side to side, going under the corresponding running thread(s) on each side. The running thread is found between the edge stitch and the second stitch in. When the yarn is pulled snuggly, the edge stitches turn in and an “invisible” seam happens.
Three-Needle Bind Off: This is a technique that joins two pieces of knitting that have “live” stitches. Place the live stitches of the two pieces (same number on each) to be joined on two needles with the tips pointed in the same direction. Using a third needle, knit the first stitches from each needle together. Knit the next two stitches together and pass the last stitch over the first, just like in regular binding off. Continue until all stitches are bound off. Your gauge is determined by the size of the third needle. This seam may be created on the inside or the outside of the garment, depending on which way the pieces face each other.
Short Rows: Knitting “short rows” are partial rows that create a wedge shape. They are often used to make a smooth slope for shoulder seam bind-offs. The term “wrap and turn” (W&T) helps to prevent a hole by closing the gap that forms at the end of a short row. On the knit side: knit the designated number of stitches. Stop. Slip the next stitch as to purl, bring yarn between the needles to the front, place the slipped stitch back on the left needle, put yarn to the back. Turn work. Later, when you go to knit the wrapped stitch, pick up the wrap with your right needle tip and knit it together with the stitch.
On the purl side: purl the designated number of stitches. Stop. Slip the next stitch as to purl, send the yarn to the back between the needles, place the slipped stitch back on the left needle, bring yarn to the front. Turn work. Later, when you go to purl the wrapped stitch, pick up the wrap from behind the stitch with your right needle tip and purl it together with the stitch.
I-Cord: This technique forms a cord that appears seamless. Cast on or pick up the required number of stitches, usually 3 or 4. Do not turn. *Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle if using double points or slip stitches back on to left needle. Knit the stitches, giving the yarn a tug before the first stitch. Repeat from * to desired length.
Twisted Sisters Trim, Tubular Trim, Transferring Beads to Yarn, and Lifeline are found in their respective patterns.
General Garment Care: Hand wash garment with mild soap in cool water, rinse until water is clear, press out between towels. Lay flat to dry.