Anagram’s
teaching corner
Glossaries and clarifications
Sewing Glossary
Armhole
Is the opening in the bodice where you attach the sleeve.
Cut on fold /Place on fold
Align the edge of your pattern to where your fabric is folded. This way, when you unfold your cut-out fabric, you have a full symmetrical piece. Remember, don't cut the fold!
Edgestitch
When you sew stitches close to the edge of a seam, hem, etc. Often around 1-2mm from the edge.
Grain / Grainline
Grain describes the direction of the weft and warp of a woven fabric. The grain, also known as the lengthwise direction of the fabric, has little to no stretch. Pull it on the diagonal and you will feel a slight stretch.
Grainline: A line/arrow printed on the pattern. Often, this line should be placed parallel to the length of the fabric.
Right side / Wrong side
Refers to the two different sides of the fabric or your garment, to know which side to place pieces together.
Bias
Is the diagonal direction of the fabric. Woven fabric has the most amount of stretch in this direction, even when it’s a non-stretch fabric.
Clip/Notch
Notches are markings on a pattern that help align pieces together.
A clip is a small cut towards the stitching. And a notch is a V-shaped cutout towards the stitching. Cut close to the stitch line to increase flexibility on curved sections.
Facing
This is a way to finish the raw edges of fabric. It helps to stabilize, adds structure, and strengthens that specific part of your garment.
Facings are often made from the same fabric you use for your project.
Hem
The hem is the bottom edge of a garment. It is often folded up towards the inside, usually twice, to hide the raw cut edge without having to overlock or zigzag beforehand.
Bobbin
It’s the small spool that supplies the bottom thread in your stitches. You fill this up with your upper thread to make sure they match when sewing.
Darts
Darts are used to shape garments around the waist, bust, and shoulders. They often have a triangular shape.
Fusible interfacing
Fusible interfacing is a thin fabric-like material that has glue on one side. Iron it onto the wrong side of the fabric to add strength. Commonly used for button holes, collars.
Interfacing / Interlining
Interfacing is an additional layer of fabric that is used to stabilize and add structure to garments.
Interlining is a second layer to add warmth to your garment.
Basting
Temporary loose stitches to gather fabric or hold something in place. You can do it by hand or by using your sewing machine.
Ease
Refers to the extra space added to a garment, so it allows you to move and sit with more comfort. Patterns are all designed with different amounts of ease.
Gather
Sew one or two lines of gathering stitches (long, loose stitches) alongside each other, so you can then make ruffles, like small “wrinkles”. Used on sleeves, waistlines, or necklines to create fluffy looks or to add volume.
Notions
Add-ons like buttons, zippers, ribbons, elastic, or hooks.
Crochet Glossary
Amigurumi
Is the crochet word for stuffed toys.
Front/Back/Both loops
Variations of the same stitch. Sometimes you only use the front or the back loop of a stitch. Mostly, you use both.
Post stitches
Refers to stitches. where instead of inserting your hook into the stitch, you insert your hook around the stitch. This gives a raised texture and is often used to create ribbing for garments.
Tunisian crochet
Refers to when you use a very long needle and keep all your work on it, similar to when knitting.
Blocking
To wet your crocheted or knitted items to ensure the fabric lies flat after it’s done.
Increase/Decrease
Increase: to add stitches.
Decrease: to “remove” stitches. Often, meaning crocheting two stitches together.
C2C
Corner to corner. Crocheting and increasing on the diagonal, for example, when making a square shape.
Magic Loop
Also called magic circle, magic ring. This is a starting technique for when crocheting in the round.
Skein / Ball of yarn
Name for when yarn is rolled up in large circles and tied together. Usually, for hand-spun yarn.
A ball of yarn in the most common way to purchase yarn and is rolled up like a ball.
Cluster
Clusters are a generic term for when a group of stitches is crocheted together in the same place.
Picot
A small loop of chains.
Single / Double / Triple
Single, double, or triple crochet are variations of the same technique.
Single Crochet is the basic stitch. For the other two, you wrap the yarn around your needle before starting your stitch. Once for double, or twice for triple
Knitting Glossary
Blocking
To wet your knitted or crocheted items to ensure the fabric lies flat after it’s done.
Increase / Decrease
Increase: to add stitches, can be done in different variations.
Decrease: to “remove” stitches. Often, meaning knitting two stitches together.
Rib stitch
When knitting, every other stitch knit stitch/purl stitch.
Bind off / Cast off
The technique is used when you finish your project. Different variations can be used.
I-cord
A very simple way to knit a cord using stockinette stitch (knit every other row, knit/purl).
Stockinet stitch
When knitting every other row, knit stitch/purl stitch.
Cast on
When starting your knitting project, you “cast on” loops on your needle before starting.
Knit stitch
Basic knitting technique, when you knit with the yarn behind your needle.
Fair Isle
A technique where you alternate knitting with two different colors at the same time.
Purl stitch
Basic knitting technique, when you knit with the yarn in front of your needle.