In knitting, “K” stands for “knit.” It’s one of the most basic and essential stitches in knitting. The knit stitch, along with the purl stitch (often abbreviated as “P”), forms the foundation of most knitting patterns.
Understanding the Knit Stitch
- Knit Stitch (K): When a pattern says “K,” it means to knit a stitch. The knit stitch creates a loop that sits on the right side of your work, resulting in a smooth, “V” shape on the front (often referred to as the “knit side”) and a bumpy texture on the back (which forms the purl side).
How to Perform a Knit Stitch
- Hold Your Needles:
- Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and the empty needle in your right hand.
- Insert the Right Needle:
- Insert the tip of the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from front to back, going through the loop.
- Yarn Over:
- Wrap the working yarn (the yarn attached to the ball) around the tip of the right needle, from back to front.
- Pull the Loop Through:
- Draw the yarn through the stitch with the right needle, creating a new loop.
- Slide the Stitch Off:
- Slide the original stitch off the left needle, leaving the new loop on the right needle. You’ve now completed one knit stitch!
How “K” is Used in Patterns
- K All: This means to knit every stitch in the row.
- K2, P2: This means to knit 2 stitches, then purl 2 stitches, and repeat this pattern across the row.
- K to End: Knit all the remaining stitches in the row until you reach the end.
Examples
- Stockinette Stitch: This fabric is created by knitting one row and purling the next. It’s often written as “K one row, P one row.”
- Garter Stitch: This is created by knitting every row. In a pattern, it would be written as “K every row.”
Final Thoughts
“K” in knitting is a fundamental abbreviation that you’ll encounter in nearly every knitting pattern. Mastering the knit stitch is essential for creating a wide variety of knitted items, from simple scarves to complex garments.