Knitting Vocabulary in English
20 essential knitting words with definitions and example sentences — needles, yarn, and stitches for A1–A2 ESL learners.
Pedagogically reviewed by LexFizz Team
Knitting vocabulary describes one of the most popular craft hobbies in the English-speaking world, practised at home, in clubs, and increasingly online. Words such as cast on, purl, and gauge have specific meanings that every knitter learns early on. Imagine a beginner counting each row carefully while working a new stitch pattern, checking the yarn label to make sure the tension matches the required gauge — this vocabulary turns up constantly in knitting tutorials and pattern instructions.
This page covers 20 key knitting words used in patterns, tutorials, and craft shops. These terms appear whenever knitters describe their materials, their stitches, or their progress on a project. You can check the full entry for any of these terms in the Cambridge Dictionary.
Unlike our broader Embroidery vocabulary and Textiles vocabulary pages, this list focuses specifically on the tools and techniques used to knit with two needles and yarn. Mastering this vocabulary will help you follow a pattern, shop for supplies, and join a knitting group with confidence.
Essential Knitting Words
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| knit stitch | the most basic knitting stitch, made by pulling a new loop through an old one from front to back | Beginners usually practise the knit stitch first because it is the simplest to learn. | A2 |
| purl stitch | a knitting stitch made in the opposite direction to the knit stitch, giving a bumpy texture | Combining knit and purl stitches creates different patterns and textures in the fabric. | A2 |
| needle | a long, thin tool, usually made of metal, plastic, or wood, used to hold and form stitches | She switched to a thicker needle to knit a looser, softer scarf. | A1 |
| yarn | the thick thread, usually made from wool, cotton, or acrylic, used for knitting | She bought three balls of soft yarn in a deep blue colour. | A1 |
| cast on | the technique used to create the first row of stitches at the start of a knitting project | You need to cast on thirty stitches before starting the pattern. | A2 |
| cast off | the technique used to finish and secure the last row of stitches so the knitting does not unravel | Once the scarf reached the right length, she cast off carefully. | A2 |
| stitch | a single loop of yarn worked on the needle, the basic unit of any knitted fabric | Counting each stitch carefully helps you avoid mistakes in the pattern. | A1 |
| row | one complete line of stitches worked across the knitting from one side to the other | The pattern repeats every four rows to form the zigzag design. | A1 |
| pattern | written instructions that explain, step by step, how to knit a particular item | The pattern called for a smaller needle size for the ribbed edge. | A1 |
| gauge | the number of stitches and rows per inch or centimetre, used to check that a project will be the correct size | Checking your gauge before starting a jumper prevents it from coming out too big or too small. | B1 |
| tension | the tightness or looseness with which a knitter pulls the yarn while forming stitches | Uneven tension can make a knitted fabric look bumpy in places. | B1 |
| skein | a loosely coiled length of yarn, often twisted, before it is wound into a ball | She wound the new skein of yarn into a neat ball before starting. | A2 |
| hank | a large, loosely wound coil of yarn that usually must be wound into a ball before use | The hank of hand-dyed yarn needed to be wound before she could begin knitting. | A2 |
| ball | yarn wound into a round shape, ready to be pulled from the centre or outside while knitting | The kitten kept chasing the ball of yarn across the floor. | A1 |
| seam | the line where two knitted pieces are sewn together to form a finished garment | She sewed the shoulder seams together before adding the sleeves. | A2 |
| cable | a raised, twisted pattern in knitting created by crossing groups of stitches over one another | The jumper's front panel featured a thick, rope-like cable running down the middle. | B1 |
| ribbing | a stretchy pattern made by alternating knit and purl stitches in vertical columns | Ribbing at the cuffs and hem helps the sweater keep its shape and fit snugly. | B1 |
| increase | a technique used to add extra stitches to a row, making the knitted piece wider | You need to increase two stitches at the start of every third row to shape the sleeve. | B1 |
| decrease | a technique used to remove stitches from a row, making the knitted piece narrower | Decrease evenly across the row to shape the top of the hat. | B1 |
| unravel | to pull out stitches and undo knitted work, often to fix a mistake or reuse the yarn | She had to unravel three rows after noticing a dropped stitch. | A2 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is knitting?
Knitting is a craft in which loops of yarn are formed and connected using two long needles to create fabric. It is used to make items such as scarves, jumpers, and blankets, and it can be done by hand or by machine.
What is the difference between a knit stitch and a purl stitch?
A knit stitch is made by pulling a new loop through an old one from the front, creating a smooth "V" shape on that side of the fabric. A purl stitch is worked in the opposite direction, creating a bumpy horizontal line. Combining both stitches in different patterns produces textures such as ribbing and cables.
What do cast on and cast off mean?
To cast on means to create the very first row of stitches on the needle, which is always the first step of any knitting project. To cast off, sometimes called binding off, means to finish and secure the last row so the stitches cannot unravel once the knitting is complete.
Why is gauge important in knitting?
Gauge is the number of stitches and rows that fit within a set measurement, usually four inches or ten centimetres. Checking your gauge before starting a project, especially clothing, ensures the finished item will be the correct size, since everyone knits with slightly different tension.
What is the difference between a skein, a hank, and a ball of yarn?
A skein is a length of yarn, often already wound in a shape ready to use straight from the centre. A hank is a large, loosely wound coil that usually needs to be wound into a ball before knitting, since knitting directly from a hank can tangle the yarn.
What is ribbing used for?
Ribbing is a stretchy knitted pattern made by alternating knit and purl stitches in columns. It is commonly used at the cuffs, hem, and neckline of a garment because its elasticity helps the fabric keep its shape and fit closely to the body.
What does it mean to increase or decrease in a knitting pattern?
To increase means to add extra stitches to a row, making the knitted piece wider, which is used for shaping areas like sleeves. To decrease means to remove stitches, making the piece narrower, often used to shape the top of a hat or the point of a sock toe.
What should I do if I make a mistake while knitting?
If you notice a mistake a few rows back, you may need to unravel your knitting by carefully pulling out the stitches until you reach the error, then pick the stitches back up on the needle. For a mistake in the current row, it is often possible to unknit just a few stitches at a time instead of unravelling several full rows.
Is knitting vocabulary useful for English learners?
Yes, especially for learners interested in crafts, hobbies, or online tutorials, since knitting vocabulary appears widely in patterns, video instructions, and craft communities. Learning these terms also helps with reading comprehension in hobby magazines and online shopping for supplies.
Which knitting words should I learn first?
Start with the essential tools and materials: needle, yarn, ball, and stitch. Then learn the two basic actions, cast on and cast off, along with the knit stitch and purl stitch, which together let you understand almost any beginner pattern.