k3tog – knit three stitches together (decrease by two stitches)
ktbl – knit through the back loop
m – metre(s)
m1 – make one; increase using stitch lying between two stitches
mm – millimetre(s)
oz – ounces
p – purl
p2tog – purl two together (decrease by one stitch)
psso – pass slipped stitch over
rem – remain/ing
rep – repeat
skp – slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (decrease by one stitch)
sl – slip
ssk – slip, slip, knit; slip two stitches one at a time, knit two slipped stitches together (one stitch decreased)
st(s) – stitch(es)
st st – stocking stitch (US: stockinette stitch)
tbl – through back of loop
tog – together
yd – yards(s)
* – repeat directions following
* as many times as indicated or to end of row
( ) – repeat instructions in round brackets the number of times indicated
LONDON LINGO
Londoners have their own language, built on the foundation of the Queen’s BBC English and then chewed up and spat out on the gritty city streets by cab drivers, market-stall shouters, and ruddy-faced pub landlords. If you want to Stitch London, you have to learn a little of the lingo or you’ll be lost. Here are a few words to help you find your way:
battenburg – the pink and yellow king of cakes. Wrapped in a marzipan jacket of sugary goodness.
berk – a rather foolish individual.
blinder – an excellent thing or achievement. Woo hoo! ‘This fairisle jumper was a proper blinder.’
bog-standard – plain and ordinary ‘The newbie bought bog-standard metal knitting needles to begin with.’
bovver – aggressive, thuggish behaviour.
faffing – messing around and wasting time. Tut.
gammy – see manky.
gubbins – stuff and things. In this book, it means the materials you’ll need to make each project.
manky – diseased and a bit disgusting. Yuck.
me old mucker – my friend. How nice.
mince pies – ‘eyes’ in cockney rhyming slang.
newbie – brand-new, shiny-eyed knitter. Awwww.
not really cricket – not a very nice thing to do. Shame on you.
Oyster card – ticket for all manner of London transport. Not a card for shellfish.
skint – penniless or poor.
throw a wobbly – have a huge, dramatic tantrum.
toerag – scallywag, scoundrel, imp.
tube – London’s underground transport system. Full of sweaty commuters.
wellies – rubber boots made for jumping in puddles. Splosh.
WIP – Work in Progress. Your knit while it is being knit.
‘You’re nicked!’ – you are under arrest.
STITCH ESSENTIAL GUBBINS
Before you embark on your journey through the streets of Stitch London, you will need to arm yourself with some wool-wrangling weapons. Here’s a list of stuff you won’t survive without.
Knitting needles
Straight needles
These fellows are long, straight and pointy in metal, plastic or wood. You are not going to get far without these, so pick ones you like the feel of. You’re going to be holding them a lot.
Circular needles
These guys are two needles joined together with a cord. Good for knitting tubes, knitting on the tube (they’re shorter so are less intrusive when elbow room is tight) or for the wonder of the magic loop (see The Way of the Knit).
DPNs
They wander in sets or four or five and are used for circular knitting. Also seem to scare or fascinate fellow commuters if you break them out while travelling.
Gubbins case
A case in which you stash all the fiddly bits you need when knitting. Pencil cases work well, as do glasses cases, tins, make-up bags or boa constrictors (it can be hard to get the stuff back out of a snake, though).
Darning/tapestry needle
A big fat needle for weaving in ends and sewing up. Get a few, as you will lose some to the hungry Tapestry Needle-Eating Monster that stalks us all.
Sewing needle
The fiddly cousins of tapestry needles. These bad boys are ultra-pointy. Be careful where you leave them when not using them.
Scissors
Get good, small portable ones that fit in your gubbins case. There will be chopping galore.
Tape measure
In the case of most knits, size does matter. A retractable tape measure is the way to go. If it’s shaped like a sheep or a cake, even better.
Thread
Always useful for a million things; you can have various colours to hand, but black and white are essential.
Stitch markers
These little rings mark places in your knitting so you don’t get lost. So kind. You can buy them or just make them from spare yarn. I use tiny elastic bands for braids.
Crochet hook
This little hook is your 999 emergency aid if you drop a stitch. Use it to pick the stitch back up and fix it. It’s also the queen of making long lines of lovely chain stitch.
Small notebook and pen
Scribble down rows, pattern changes, or hilarious doodles of your boss being eaten by a dragon.
Project bag
Your WIP (Work in Progress) is going to need a home when it’s not in your hands. If you shove it in your bag and get lip balm all over it or find it’s taken a shine to your sunglasses and refuses to be parted from them, well, you’ll be sorry. Get a simple drawstring bag, bung it in a plastic bag, or stuff it in a disused sock you stole from a giant.
Stuffing
Forget fancy craft-shop stuffing. Butcher an old pillow or a bargain-shop cushion. Their outsides may be grotty, but their precious innards can be reused.