‘STS’ in knitting is the abbreviation of stitches since st stands for a single stitch. It also stands for short-row shaping, a knitting technique with multiple uses.
What Does STS Mean in Knitting?
If you’re a newbie into knitting, learning the knitting language makes it easier to understand as you will encounter the most common abbreviations. Being used to these knitting abbreviations can help you through simple, new, and current knitting designs that you may come across in your knitting hobby.
The term ‘sts’ in knitting is the abbreviation of stitches since st stands for a single stitch. Stitches are the elementary step of knitting. A stitch is a single loop of thread, therefore stitches consist of loops of threads or yarns. ST means the abbreviation for a single stitch whereas STS is the abbreviation of stitches in knitting aptly.
While knitting, you may have run into instructions like “knit 6 sts per inch” or “knit 8 sts per inch”. Since knit per stitch denotes how many stitches are there in one inch. Therefore here it indicates to knit 6 stitches in every inch or to knit 8 stitches in every inch.
Types of Stitches
There are many types of basic stitches that a beginner learns. Most beginners prefer to start knitting with comparatively easy stitches such as garter stitch or stockinette stitch. Garter stitch is an easy and reversible stitch that lays flat and gets worked on any number of stitches.
Both sides of this stitch are the same. On the other hand, the right side of the stockinette stitch is smooth and the reverse side is bumpy. However, there are more basic stitches such as reverse stockinette, seed stitches, and many more advanced level stitches.
Why Are Abbreviations of Knitting Terms Used?
Learning to knit is laborious work. For different types of stitches, there are different types of processes and rules. Thus, the knitters and instructors shortened some common terms to reduce time and make it easier to write and read the instructions.
However, these abbreviations often confuse the people who are new to this knitting business. They can’t easily denote what certain abbreviations mean. As a result, knitting becomes frustrating for them rather than being easier. The most preferred approach will be to first learn the necessary abbreviations before starting to learn knitting.
You don’t necessarily have to memorize all of those terms at once, but with enough practice, you’ll be able to get a hold of these. These shortened forms of words may make you confused and frustrated even before getting the hang of knitting. Therefore, to master the art of knitting, you must know all the important terms and abbreviations related to knitting.
Some Common Abbreviations of Knitting Terms
The terms or abbreviations may differ based on locations and knitters’ preferences. However, some common standardized abbreviations are given below.
STST: We know sts stands for stitches. Just adding another ‘t’ after sts refers to stockinette stitches. Some also identify stockinette as ‘st st’
Sl st: The abbreviation Sl st refers to slip stitches. Sl st is a kind of technique that all knitters find useful.
psso: psso is an abbreviation that knitters use to shorten the command pass slipped stitch over.
p2sso: Another abbreviation is ‘p2sso’ which represents the command ‘pass 2 slipped stitches over.
M1 or M1K: The abbreviation M1K stands for the command ‘make one stitch knitwise; single knit increase.’
M1R: This shows another simple command ‘make one right; single right-leaning knit increase’.
M1L: M1L means ‘make one left; single left-leaning knit increase’.
Some simple shortened terms are:
Approx: approximately
Bet: between
Cn: cable needle
k: knit
kwise: knitwise
LH: left hand
lp: loop
m: marker
P2tog: Purl two together
P3tog: Purl three together
Here we have mentioned only a few common terms. There are more abbreviations that you’ll have to learn. We would suggest you go through the ‘Abbreviation Master list’ from the craft yarn council.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to read a knitting pattern?
For a beginner, reading the knitting pattern might be confusing since the knitting instructions are written in the special language of shortened terms and abbreviations. Therefore, at first, learn the abbreviations and symbols, then follow the instructions accordingly.
How to read symbols in knitting patterns?
The symbols in knitting patterns are as important as written abbreviations and terms. Bracket[], parenthesis() indicates a command to be repeated a certain amount of times. Whereas an asterisk(*) placed before an instruction indicates the instruction to be repeated once. On the other hand, a comma(,) represents two different steps.
What does CO mean in knitting?
CO in knitting stands for ‘cast on’. Casting on is a technique of adding new stitches. It is the primary step for knitting.
What does pat stand for in knitting?
Pat in knitting indicates the term ‘pattern stitch’.
What does KFB mean in knitting?
The abbreviation KFB means knitting in the front and back of the same stitch. It is a method to increase the row by one stitch.
To conclude
The process of learning knitting may seem difficult at first. But knowing the abbreviations, terms, and symbols properly will make it easy for you to understand the knitting patterns and instructions. Thus it is advised to acquire a knowledge of these terms, otherwise learning knitting will turn out to be very frustrating.
Leave a Reply