Knitting's Top *10* Abbreviations!

Doesn't it seem that everywhere you look, there is anotherTop Tenlist?
Just turn on your TV, and there goes Jennifer Aniston, orBrad Pitt, and, even people like Marilyn Monroe, still seen posing onthe redcarpet, always being talked about as in the Top Ten!
Food shows, home shows, boat shows, MTV, Letterman, you nameit,everyone has a Top Ten list!
So, for the record, let there be a Top Ten for knitting,too!
Knitting has scads of abbreviations, so many in fact, youcan loseyourself in the art of initialism.
Some abbreviations are used so seldom as to be almostunknown, "won",for instance, means "wool over needle", which I have neverseenbefore!
Any time you are working with a knitting pattern, theseabbreviationsare sure to be there. Now, you will know what they mean!
So, take heart! The most important ones are as follows:
(and for good reason, as you will shortly find out --)
#10 -- sl - means "slip". As in slip the next stitchfrom the left needle to the right. You do not see this abbreviationtoo much, but, if you are working in a lacy pattern, it will bethere.Also, any time a pattern calls for variations, "sl" can beoneof the abbreviations used.
#9 -- beg - means "beginning". Usually when determininglength,you will see this used. Most patterns have you measuringlength fromthe beginning, but, some patterns measure from other areassuch as ribbing, or shoulder, or neck.
#8 -- RS - and no those aren't my husband's initials,(well, notin this guise, anyway). RS = right side. It is extremelyvital toalways be aware of what side you are knitting on; especiallywhencable stitches or other specialty stitches are being used.
#7 -- St st - now, doesn't that look redundant!Actually, itstands for Stockinette stitch, which is the signature stitchofknitting! When you knit one row, then purl the next, and dothosetwo rows over and over, you are knitting the Stockinettestitch.
#6 -- K2tog - means "knit 2 together." You may bedecreasingstitches on a row, or making "holes", so to speak; whateverit is,k2tog will help get the job done. Holes, in knitting, makeyourwork take on an openwork look, or a lace design.
#5 -- YO - means to "yarn over." Again, when knittinglacy patterns which call for an openwork design, the YO is front-pagestuff! In fact, YO is the very essence of openwork design.
#4 -- BO - means to "bind off." Once in a while youwill see it as "cast off"; they both mean the same thing. When youare finished with your knitting, you will BO all thestitches onthe needle and begin your finishing techniques.
#3 -- CO - means to "cast on." This is your foundationrow, where you begin your knitting. Any time you begin a newsegmentto your knitting project, you will always start with CO.
#2 -- P - is for purl. The purl stitch is, of course,"knitted"into the front of your needle, and the yarn is also held tothefront. Some beginners find the purl stitch a little hardertowork than the knit stitch. With practice, the purl stitchis a breeze!
#1 -- K - is for knit. The knit stitch is what it's allabout!A simple stitch into the back of the needle, combined withother stitch variations will make the most divine creations underthe sun! Knitting every row gives you what is called the garterstitch, not be mistaken with that harmless, backyard snake!
So, there you have it!
These Top Ten knitting abbreviations only make up the mostcommon,and popular abbreviations. Knitting has lots more wherethey comefrom!
Until next time, ready, set, knit!