Polka Dot Rock

Ply yarns

Ply, plied, or folded, yarns are composed of two or more single yarns twisted together. Two-ply yarn, for example, is composed of two single strands; three-ply yarn is composed of three single strands. In making ply yarns from spun strands, the individual strands are usually each twisted in one direction and are then combined and twisted in the opposite direction. When both the single strands and the final ply yarns are twisted in the same direction, the fibre is firmer, producing harder texture and reducing flexibility. Ply yarns provide strength for heavy industrial fabrics and are also used for delicate-looking sheer fabrics.

Cord yarns

Cully’s got her feet under her with circular needles of various lengths and gauges and has spent the last week practicing tension, stitches and ribbing on the round, over and over and over.

Of note with stripes:

making sure the the new colour yarn goes under and to the right of the previous colour (which is above and to the left) so you don’t get holes

’cause you don’t have to purl to get back to the other yarn when you’re on the round it means you can alternate single rows rather than two as the minimum

doodles of spirals and google fu has introduced the idea of spiral/helix knitting which is ever so slightly on the diagonal and means you don’t get the jog on colour change cause the colours are cast on at the same time/same row

Back tack - backward stitch(es) to anchor tacking or basting

Backstitch - sturdy hand stitch for seams and decoration

Basting stitch (US) - for reinforcement or for temporarily holding fabric in place (same as Tack)

Blanket stitch - used to finish an unhemmed blanket

Blind stitch (or hemstitch) - type of slip stitch used for inconspicuous hem

Buttonhole stitch - for reinforcing buttonholes and preventing cut fabric from raveling

Chain stitch - hand or machine stitch for seams or decoration

Cross-stitch - usually used for decoration, but may also be used for seams

Catch stitch (also ‘flat’ & ‘blind’ -catch stitch) - flat looped stitch used in hemming

Darning stitch - for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric or knitting

Embroidery stitch - one or more stitches forming a figure of recognizable look

Hemstitch (Hemming stitch) - decorative technique for embellishing the hem of clothing or household linens.

Overcast stitch

Pad stitch - secures two or more layers of fabric together and provide firmness

Pick stitch - hand stitch that catches only a few threads on the wrong side of the fabric, difficult to produce nicely so typically used for hemming high quality garments

Running stitch - hand stitch for seams and gathering

Sailmakers stitch

Slip stitch - form of blind stitch for fastening two pieces of fabric together from the right side without the thread showing

Stoating

Tack (UK, also baste or pin) - quick, temporary stitching intended to be removed

Tent stitch - diagonal embroidery stitch at a 45-degree angle

Topstitch - used on garment edges such as necklines and hems, helps facings stay in place and gives a crisp edge