Reference
Reference
Instructions for sewing, knitting and crafts are full of words you rarely hear in everyday speech: seam allowance, pattern repeat, scoring, grain line. Without them, even a simple pattern is hard to follow. Here you will find the key terms of three crafts with short explanations — the glossary is handy to come back to whenever you meet an unfamiliar word in an article or on a label.
A word you understand stops being intimidating. Once you know that a pattern repeat is simply the recurring piece of a design, a knitting chart turns from a cipher into an ordinary hint.
Sewing
- Stitch
- One pass of the thread through the fabric from one needle hole to the next. Every seam is made up of stitches.
- Seam
- A line of stitches that joins pieces or finishes an edge. Types include tacking (basting), strong backstitch, invisible slip stitch and others.
- Seam allowance
- The strip of fabric between the seam line and the edge of the piece. It is left so that the seam does not pull out and the piece can be let out if needed.
- Grain line
- The threads of the fabric that run parallel to the selvedge. The material stretches least along them, so pattern pieces are usually placed on the grain.
- Securing stitches
- A few stitches in one spot at the start or end of a seam that stop it from unravelling.
Knitting
- Loop (stitch)
- The basic element of knitted fabric. In knitting with needles there are two basic stitches: knit and purl.
- Row
- All the stitches worked from one edge of the fabric to the other. Rows are counted to reach the length the piece needs.
- Pattern repeat
- The smallest recurring section of a pattern. Knowing its width makes it easy to work out how many stitches to cast on.
- Stockinette, rib, garter stitch
- Three simple patterns made from knit and purl stitches. Garter stitch is the easiest for a first piece, rib stretches well and stockinette gives a smooth fabric.
- Needle and hook size
- In metric sizing it equals the tool's diameter in millimetres: a 3 mm crochet hook is 3 millimetres across.
Paper and cardboard
- Paper weight
- The mass of one square metre of paper in grams. The higher it is, the thicker and stiffer the paper.
- Scoring
- A pressed-in fold line. It is made with a blunt tool against a ruler so that cardboard folds neatly and does not crack.
- Corrugated cardboard
- Cardboard with a wavy layer inside. Light and strong, it is good for boxes and models but harder to cut than thin card.
- Glue stick (for a glue gun)
- A rod of hot-melt adhesive for a glue gun. The gun melts it, and the hot glue sets quickly but can burn.
Where these words come in handy
- Practical
How to sew on a button and mend a split seam, plus a catalogue of practical articles.
- Overview
The main simple crafts and what stitch, seam, seam allowance, loop, row and pattern repeat mean.
- For beginners
How to choose a first weekend project, put together a minimal kit and finish the work.
- Questions
Short answers about first steps, materials, tools and crafting with children.
What to read next
- Overview
The main simple crafts and what stitch, seam, seam allowance, loop, row and pattern repeat mean.
- Questions
Short answers about first steps, materials, tools and crafting with children.
- Home
A reference guide to home crafts for beginners: sewing, knitting, paper and nature crafts, activities with children.
What this text is based on
- Beginner guides to sewing and knitting (general principles)
- Instructions for craft tools and materials (general principles)
Threads, yarn, glue and paints vary noticeably from one manufacturer to another, so the label and instructions for the specific material or tool always have the final say. This guide describes general techniques and is no substitute for a hands-on lesson with an experienced maker.