How to decipher English and American patterns: a clear and complete guide for knitters 👯

Struggling with English abbreviations? Here's a simple guide to decoding US/UK patterns, mastering the vocabulary, and knitting flawlessly. With us, Lenny & Louise (Knit‑Sis), we'll help you uncover these patterns as if we were having a chat over tea ☕

Why it matters

English-language patterns are full of useful terms: knit , purl , yo , ssk … But without understanding them, it's easy to get confused. We'll show you the key differences between UK and US abbreviations, so you can get started on any pattern, stress-free.

Essential abbreviations: US vs UK

What does “k2tog” mean?
This means knitting two stitches together. It is a simple decrease often used to shape necklines or sleeves.

The main cultural differences

▫️Terminology : UK often says tr instead of k , and yrn instead of yo .

▫️Notation style : UK patterns can dissociate “knit on RS” vs “knit on WS”, while the US ones speak more of right side / wrong side .

▫️Units of measurement : US uses yards; UK uses meters. Remember to convert if your yarn is sold in meters (1 yard = ~0.91 m).

Tips for Knitting with Confidence

1️⃣ Print a table : keep it near your work to identify the abbreviations.

2️⃣ Cut out and glue next to each half of your screen or pattern.

3️⃣ Quick test : do a sample of a few rows to check that you understand the abbreviations.

4️⃣ Join our community : share your doubts on Instagram @knit_sis – we’ll dissect the patterns together!

Concrete cases: Knitting the Splashie Sweater in US or UK version

▫️Step 1 : Translate the abbreviations (e.g. replace tr with k for United Kingdom).

▫️Step 2 : Adjust the measurements if necessary (yards → meters).

▫️Step 3 : Check techniques like yarn overs or decreases.

▫️Step 4 : Knit a swatch to check the stitch.

Our perfect models (because they don't need to be deciphered)

▫️ Splashie Sweater : Intarsia Patterns Explained Step by Step

▫️ Mondrian Sweater : color changes and bottom-up construction, we guide you step by step in its creation.

In summary

▫️You now have the keys to deciphering an Anglo-Saxon pattern.

▫️A table of abbreviations, ready-to-use thread/meter conversions.

▫️The Knit-Sis community by your side.

Ready to get started?

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