A quick reference to common terms across sewing, quilting, knitting, and crochet.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Selvedge | The finished, non-fraying lengthwise edge of woven fabric |
| Grain | The direction of the woven threads; lengthwise is strongest |
| Bias | The 45-degree diagonal of fabric, where it stretches most |
| Seam allowance | The margin between the stitching line and the cut edge |
| WOF | Width of fabric, selvedge to selvedge |
| Gauge | Stitches and rows per set measure in knit or crochet |
| WPI | Wraps per inch, used to gauge yarn weight |
| Skein / hank | Forms yarn is sold in; a hank must be wound first |
| Dye lot | A batch number; colors can vary between lots |
| Frogging | Unraveling work to reuse the yarn |
| Blocking | Wetting and shaping a finished knit to set it |
| Loft | The thickness or puffiness of batting or yarn |
| Nap | A raised, directional pile on fabric like fleece or velvet |
Bookmark this page. Patterns assume you know these terms. Keep this glossary handy while you learn and the shorthand will quickly become second nature.
See the Reading a Pattern and the Understanding Gauge.