Title: Knitting And Crochet — LearnCoachAssist

Q: What is knitting?
A: A textile craft creating fabric from yarn using two or more needles.

Q: What is crochet?
A: A textile craft creating fabric from yarn using a single hook.

Q: What is the main difference between knitting and crochet?
A: Knitting uses needles and one row of active stitches; crochet uses one hook and one active stitch.

Q: What is a stitch?
A: A loop of yarn forming the basic unit of knitted or crocheted fabric.

Q: What is a knit stitch?
A: The basic stitch made by drawing yarn through a loop from front to back.

Q: What is a purl stitch?
A: The reverse of the knit stitch; drawn back to front.

Q: What is stockinette stitch?
A: Alternating rows of knit and purl creating smooth V's on one side.

Q: What is garter stitch?
A: Knit every row; creates a ridged texture identical on both sides.

Q: What is ribbing?
A: Alternating knits and purls in a column for stretch.

Q: What is 1x1 ribbing?
A: Single knit, single purl alternation.

Q: What is 2x2 ribbing?
A: Two knits, two purls alternation.

Q: What is seed stitch?
A: Alternating knit and purl every stitch and row.

Q: What is cable stitch?
A: Twisting stitches over each other for braided appearance.

Q: What is lace knitting?
A: Patterned holes created by yarn overs and decreases.

Q: What is yarn over (yo)?
A: Wrapping yarn over the needle creating an eyelet for lace.

Q: What is knit two together (k2tog)?
A: A right-leaning decrease.

Q: What is slip slip knit (ssk)?
A: A left-leaning decrease.

Q: What is purl two together (p2tog)?
A: A purl-side decrease.

Q: What is gauge?
A: Stitches and rows per inch; critical for sized garments.

Q: What is the importance of swatching?
A: Test gauge before starting a project.

Q: What is the typical swatch size?
A: 4x4 inches in pattern stitch.

Q: What is yarn weight?
A: Thickness category: lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, aran, bulky, super bulky.

Q: What is fingering weight?
A: Thin yarn for socks, lace, lightweight garments.

Q: What is worsted weight?
A: Medium yarn; the most common.

Q: What is bulky weight?
A: Thicker yarn for fast, warm projects.

Q: What is fiber content?
A: The material of the yarn (wool, cotton, alpaca, acrylic, silk, linen).

Q: What is wool?
A: Sheep fiber; warm, elastic, traditional.

Q: What is merino?
A: A soft, fine wool; gentler on skin.

Q: What is alpaca?
A: Soft, warm, less elastic than wool.

Q: What is cashmere?
A: Luxuriously soft fiber from cashmere goats.

Q: What is mohair?
A: Fluffy fiber from Angora goats.

Q: What is cotton?
A: Plant fiber; cool, less elastic, prone to stretching.

Q: What is linen?
A: Plant fiber; durable, gets softer with use.

Q: What is silk?
A: Insect fiber; lustrous, strong, low elasticity.

Q: What is acrylic?
A: Synthetic fiber; durable, easy care, less breathable.

Q: What is the difference between worsted and woolen?
A: Worsted is smooth and sleek; woolen is fuzzy and lofty (preparation methods).

Q: What is needle material?
A: Wood, bamboo, metal, plastic; each has different feel.

Q: What is the difference between bamboo and metal needles?
A: Bamboo grips yarn (good for beginners); metal is slick (faster).

Q: What is needle size?
A: Diameter of needle; affects stitch size with given yarn.

Q: What is the typical US/UK/metric needle scale?
A: US/UK use numbers; metric uses mm (e.g., US 8 = 5mm).

Q: What is a circular needle?
A: Two tips connected by a flexible cable.

Q: What is the use of circular needles?
A: Both flat and round (in-the-round) knitting; supports heavy projects.

Q: What is double-pointed needles (DPNs)?
A: Small sets of needles for small circumference work (socks).

Q: What is magic loop?
A: A technique using one long circular needle for small circumferences.

Q: What is a yarn over (cast on)?
A: Adding yarn loops to start knitting.

Q: What is long-tail cast on?
A: A popular two-strand cast on for elastic edges.

Q: What is knit cast on?
A: Cast on using knit stitches; simple but tight.

Q: What is cable cast on?
A: Cast on between stitches; creates corded edge.

Q: What is bind off (cast off)?
A: Securing stitches at the end of work.

Q: What is the typical bind off?
A: Knit two, pass first over second; repeat.

Q: What is stretchy bind off?
A: For ribbing and lace; preserves elasticity.

Q: What is the role of blocking?
A: Wetting and shaping finished work to set stitches.

Q: What is wet blocking?
A: Soak, gently squeeze, pin to shape, dry.

Q: What is steam blocking?
A: Apply steam (not pressing); good for synthetic fibers.

Q: What is the role of blocking lace?
A: Opens up holes and reveals patterns; essential.

Q: What is a knitting pattern?
A: Written instructions for a project.

Q: What are pattern abbreviations?
A: Standardized shortcuts: k=knit, p=purl, sl=slip, st=stitch, etc.

Q: What is a chart?
A: A grid representing pattern stitches visually.

Q: What is the reading direction of a chart?
A: Right to left for right-side rows; left to right for wrong-side.

Q: What is the right side (RS)?
A: The side intended to be visible.

Q: What is the wrong side (WS)?
A: The reverse side.

Q: What is the role of stitch markers?
A: Indicate pattern repeats, starts of rounds.

Q: What is a row counter?
A: Mechanical or app tool tracking rows.

Q: What is the typical project flow?
A: Pattern → swatch → cast on → knit → finish → block.

Q: What is a sweater's anatomy?
A: Body, sleeves, neck, hem, cuffs.

Q: What is top-down construction?
A: Knitting from neck downward; allows length adjustment.

Q: What is bottom-up construction?
A: Knitting from hem upward; classic approach.

Q: What is seamless construction?
A: No sewing required; popular contemporary approach.

Q: What is the typical seamed construction?
A: Knit pieces flat, sew together; can give crisp shape.

Q: What is raglan sleeve?
A: Diagonal seam from neck to underarm.

Q: What is set-in sleeve?
A: A traditional rounded sleeve attached to body opening.

Q: What is drop shoulder?
A: A simple construction with no shaping at the shoulder.

Q: What is yoke?
A: A circular or shaped panel around shoulders.

Q: What is colorwork?
A: Knitting with two or more colors.

Q: What is Fair Isle?
A: Stranded colorwork from the Shetland Islands.

Q: What is intarsia?
A: Color blocks of solid color; new yarn each block.

Q: What is stranded knitting?
A: Carrying yarn behind the work for colorwork.

Q: What is the float?
A: The strand of unused color carried behind work.

Q: What is the rule "don't carry too far"?
A: Long floats can snag; trap them or use intarsia.

Q: What is fair isle's typical pattern repeat?
A: Small, regular, often 2-color per row.

Q: What is duplicate stitch?
A: Embroidery imitating knit stitches; for small color details.

Q: What is mosaic knitting?
A: Colorwork using slipped stitches; one color per row.

Q: What is brioche stitch?
A: A double-layer ribbing with depth.

Q: What is sock construction?
A: Cuff, leg, heel, foot, toe.

Q: What is the heel turn?
A: Short-row shaping at the heel.

Q: What is short rows?
A: Partial rows used for shaping (heels, busts).

Q: What is the typical heel types?
A: Heel flap and gusset, short-row heel, afterthought heel.

Q: What is Kitchener stitch?
A: A grafting technique joining live stitches invisibly.

Q: What is the use of Kitchener?
A: Sock toes, shoulder seams; seamless join.

Q: What is the typical sock yarn?
A: Fingering weight with nylon for durability.

Q: What is felting?
A: Wool fibers shrinking and bonding when agitated in heat.

Q: What is intentional felting?
A: Knitting larger, then felting to desired dimensions.

Q: What is "superwash" wool?
A: Treated to prevent felting; machine washable.

Q: What is the rule for washing knits?
A: Gentle, lay flat to dry; follow yarn label.

Q: What is "frogging"?
A: Ripping out work ("rip it, rip it").

Q: What is "tinking"?
A: Un-knitting stitch by stitch ("knit" backwards).

Q: What is the role of mistakes?
A: A learning opportunity; everyone frogs.

Q: What is a lifeline?
A: A thread run through a row to prevent unraveling past it.

Q: What is the role of stitch markers?
A: Mark pattern, repeats, increases, decreases.

Q: What is a stitch dictionary?
A: A book of stitch patterns to mix into designs.

Q: What is the design process?
A: Concept → swatch → measurements → math → instructions.

Q: What is Ravelry?
A: A social platform and pattern database for knitters and crocheters.

Q: What is the typical beginner project?
A: Scarf, washcloth, simple hat.

Q: What is the role of practice?
A: Comfort with needles takes hours; muscle memory develops.

Q: What is the role of tension?
A: Consistent stretch on yarn affects gauge and appearance.

Q: What is "rowing out"?
A: Inconsistent purl rows showing in stockinette; tension issue.

Q: What is the typical beginner mistake?
A: Holding yarn too tight or loose; tension comes with practice.

Q: What is the role of YouTube tutorials?
A: Visual learning shortcut; many techniques shown clearly.

Q: What is the role of in-person classes?
A: Yarn shops often offer beginner classes; helpful for trouble-shooting.

Q: What is the typical knitting community?
A: Local yarn shop (LYS), online forums, knit-night groups.

Q: What is crochet hook size?
A: From very small (thread crochet) to large (jumbo yarn).

Q: What is a chain (crochet)?
A: Foundation row of slip-knot loops.

Q: What is single crochet (US)?
A: Shortest stitch after slip stitch; sturdy fabric.

Q: What is double crochet (US)?
A: A medium-height stitch.

Q: What is treble crochet (US)?
A: A taller stitch.

Q: What is the US vs UK crochet naming difference?
A: UK terms are "one off" from US; e.g., US single = UK double.

Q: What is slip stitch (crochet)?
A: Joining or moving stitches without height.

Q: What is a chain stitch (crochet)?
A: Foundation row; loop made by drawing yarn through previous.

Q: What is "amigurumi"?
A: Small crocheted (or knit) stuffed toys, Japanese origin.

Q: What is the typical amigurumi method?
A: Tight crochet with smaller hook than yarn label suggests.

Q: What is "magic ring (crochet)"?
A: A starting loop allowing closure of center.

Q: What is granny square?
A: A traditional crochet motif made of clusters.

Q: What is the typical granny square use?
A: Blankets, garments, bags.

Q: What is "join as you go" (JAYG)?
A: Connecting motifs during the last round to avoid sewing.

Q: What is "tunisian crochet"?
A: A hybrid using a long hook combining knit and crochet techniques.

Q: What is the typical Tunisian fabric?
A: Dense, knit-like with a curling tendency.

Q: What is the typical hook material?
A: Metal, plastic, wood, ergonomic.

Q: What is the role of an ergonomic hook?
A: Reduces hand fatigue with cushioned grip.

Q: What is "repetitive strain"?
A: Risk for both crafts; take breaks and stretch.

Q: What is the role of posture?
A: Sit with back support; hold work at appropriate height.

Q: What is the role of light?
A: Good lighting reduces eye strain and errors.

Q: What is the typical lifetime of a project?
A: Days for simple, months for complex; pace varies.

Q: What is "WIP" (work in progress)?
A: Ongoing project.

Q: What is "UFO" (unfinished object)?
A: A project set aside indefinitely.

Q: What is "stash"?
A: A knitter/crocheter's yarn collection.

Q: What is "S.A.B.L.E."?
A: "Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy"; humorous self-aware acronym.

Q: What is "yarn snob"?
A: A knitter strongly preferring natural fibers; gentle joke.

Q: What is the role of natural vs synthetic debate?
A: Personal preference; both have merits.

Q: What is the role of sustainability?
A: Natural fibers, mindful consumption growing in importance.

Q: What is "yarn fume"?
A: The intoxicating allure of new yarn.

Q: What is "knitting in public"?
A: Common practice; encourages community.

Q: What is the role of meditation in knitting?
A: Repetitive motion can be calming and mindful.

Q: What is the role of multitasking?
A: Many enjoy knitting while watching TV or commuting.

Q: What is the typical project planning?
A: Choose pattern, buy yarn (dye lot!), gather notions.

Q: What is dye lot?
A: Batch of yarn dyed together; different lots vary slightly in color.

Q: What is the rule "buy more than you need"?
A: Yarn from different dye lots may not match.

Q: What is yardage?
A: Length of yarn needed; check pattern carefully.

Q: What is a "yarn label" key info?
A: Weight, fiber, yardage, needle size, gauge, washing instructions.

Q: What is the role of notions?
A: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, gauge ruler.

Q: What is a tapestry needle?
A: Blunt needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends.

Q: What is "weaving in ends"?
A: Hiding yarn tails by threading through stitches.

Q: What is the role of weaving in?
A: Securing yarn; aesthetic finish.

Q: What is "duplicate stitch weaving"?
A: Weaving ends along stitch path for invisibility.

Q: What is "magic knot"?
A: Joining two yarn ends securely with minimal weaving.

Q: What is the rule "join in inconspicuous places"?
A: Less visible in body of work or seam.

Q: What is "felted join"?
A: Wool-only joining method by felting ends together.

Q: What is the role of pattern designers?
A: Professionals creating patterns for sale or community.

Q: What is the role of test knitters?
A: Volunteers checking patterns before publication.

Q: What is "tech editing"?
A: Professional review of patterns for accuracy.

Q: What is "errata"?
A: Corrections to published patterns.

Q: What is the role of charts in modern patterns?
A: Visual representation alongside or instead of text.

Q: What is the typical knitting magazine?
A: Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, PomPom, others.

Q: What is the typical pattern source?
A: Magazines, books, online (Ravelry, etsy, designer sites).

Q: What is "free pattern" availability?
A: Many designers offer free patterns alongside paid.

Q: What is the rule of copyright?
A: Patterns are copyrighted; selling finished objects has gray areas.

Q: What is "the cottage industry exception"?
A: Some designers allow small-scale selling of finished items.

Q: What is "knit-along (KAL)"?
A: A community event knitting the same pattern together.

Q: What is the role of Instagram and TikTok?
A: Major communities sharing projects and tutorials.

Q: What is the role of patience?
A: Both crafts reward sustained engagement.

Q: What is the role of starting small?
A: Build skills with small projects before tackling sweaters.

Q: What is "second sock syndrome"?
A: Reluctance to make the matching sock after the first.

Q: What is the prevention?
A: Magic loop or two-at-a-time techniques.

Q: What is "knitter's elbow"?
A: Repetitive strain from extensive knitting; take breaks.

Q: What is the role of stretching?
A: Hand and forearm stretches prevent injury.

Q: What is "yarn vomit"?
A: The tangled center pull from a yarn ball.

Q: What is the typical solution?
A: Pull from the outside or use yarn bowl.

Q: What is a yarn bowl?
A: A bowl designed to control yarn while crafting.

Q: What is the role of a project bag?
A: Keeps projects contained and portable.

Q: What is "knitter's friend"?
A: Specialty notion holder or pouch.

Q: What is the role of a row counter?
A: Tracks repeats; physical or app-based.

Q: What is "TV knitting"?
A: Simple projects (garter, plain stockinette) for low-attention.

Q: What is the role of complexity in knitting?
A: Match project to attention available.

Q: What is the rule "have a simple and a complex project"?
A: One for distraction, one for focus.

Q: What is the typical project lifespan?
A: Worn for years if cared for; family heirlooms possible.

Q: What is the role of fiber quality?
A: Better fibers age more gracefully.

Q: What is "pilling"?
A: Surface fuzz balls; common with shorter fibers.

Q: What is the role of de-pilling?
A: Use a sweater stone or comb to remove pills.

Q: What is the role of storage?
A: Clean, dry, with cedar or lavender to deter moths.

Q: What is "moth damage"?
A: Wool moths can devour wool; prevention with sealed storage.

Q: What is the rule "store clean"?
A: Body oils and food residue attract pests.

Q: What is sustainable yarn sourcing?
A: Local mills, mulesing-free wool, recycled fibers.

Q: What is "indie dyers"?
A: Small-batch hand-dyers selling unique yarns.

Q: What is "fiber festival"?
A: Events celebrating wool and yarn; major social events.

Q: What is the takeaway of knitting and crochet?
A: Quiet, meditative crafts producing useful, beautiful, lasting objects with patience and care.

Q: What is "yarn over needle" technique?
A: Standard wrap for European/English knitting.

Q: What is "yarn over finger" technique?
A: Continental knitting; some find faster.

Q: What is the difference between English and Continental?
A: English ("throwing") has yarn in right hand; Continental ("picking") in left.

Q: What is portuguese knitting?
A: Tensioning yarn around the neck; gentle on wrists.

Q: What is "stranded vs intarsia" tradeoff?
A: Stranded handles many colors per row; intarsia for blocks.

Q: What is "fair isle vs Norwegian"?
A: Both stranded but with regional patterns and color usage.

Q: What is the role of two-handed knitting?
A: One color per hand for stranded work.

Q: What is "Russian join"?
A: A yarn join technique without weaving in ends.

Q: What is "Russian bind off"?
A: A stretchy bind off; good for ribbing.

Q: What is "Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off"?
A: Another popular stretchy bind off.