March 2009 Archives

Here we go: I'm starting on the meaty stuff now. Click here for a larger image. (Also on Flickr.)

BASIC:

K2tog is the first technique we learn, then skpo. It's not until later that ssk comes into play as an alternative to skpo, for a paired decrease. Note that both skpo and ssk have the same chart symbol, as the pattern designer determines what decrease is used.

Then comes p2tog and ssp for the purl side.

Then comes k3tog and p3tog, basic decreases combining more than 2 stitches. However, note that these lean to one side. The next two are used when you want the decrease centered.

INTERMEDIATE:

Then comes sk2po and s2kpo, what we call centered double decreases, although I think s2kpo does this better. Try this for yourself.

ADVANCED: 

Lastly is decX. I'm introducing "X" as any number of stitches, to avoid having to chart all the different variations. As well, this decrease could involve so many different techniques: kXtog or pXtog, sssk or sssp or pssso (or any number of slipped stitches).

If you have know of any other universally recognized decreases that aren't here, please let me know in the comments below.

Also, for those asking, I'm *thisclose* to opening a CaféPress store. Thanks for your patience!

Why aren't Cast On and Bind Off (also known as Cast Off) the first two in the table? I briefly toyed with placing these first, but what I learned from reading about the original periodic table of elements is that H (hydrogen) is the most abundant element. And well, the knit stitch is THE basic building block of all knitting, followed by purl. Cast On and Bind Off are techniques—stitches above, but edited in the working file—learned in the process.

There's a discussion thread on Ravelry where a lot of people are giving great input and encouragement. Thank you so much for your support! (Also on Flickr.)

The purl stitch.

I quickly completed 5 "elements" in about 10 minutes, using symbols from charts I'd made in the past. It occurred to me that there should be some system of qualification, so I've started it here. Purl is a basic stitch. Something like k2tog-tbl would be an intermediate stitch, or combination of stitches, or a technique.

I'm refining it as I go along. (Also on Flickr.)