Casting Off’s Weblog

Garter. 1. The simplest pattern, created by knitting or purling every row, never mixing the two. 2. Doing the same thing over and over again, making progress in time, but never moving forward in spirit.

Stocking. 1. The pattern made by knitting one row, then purling the next, alternating between the two with each new row. The garment then has a “wrong” side and a “right” side. The “right” side has a herringbone-like appearance and the “wrong” side has a bumpy texture. 2. The dust of the past.

Ribbing. 1. Knitting one stitch, then purling one stitch, creating a pattern that looks like the furrows of waves upon the ocean. This stitch is used widely on the wrists, neck, and bottom of the sweater, for it is elastic in nature and gives easily. 2. A riddle.

Bobble. 1. A stitch that looks like a ball. Bobbles vary in size based on the number of rows into which they are knitted. This stitch is very important, as it adds texture to the sweater or jumper, by either placing it singly within a pattern or grouping several bobbles together to form a pattern of their own. 2. Living things, like animals or trees. 3. People.

Twisted Stitch. 1. A twisted stitch is caused by placing the needle through the loop of a single stitch in the wrong direction. Though usually an error in the process of either knitting or purling, some patterns can be created by purposely twisting stitches (i.e., twisted-stitch ribbing). 2. Certain traits developed over a life that define the uniqueness of a soul. 3. A mother’s touch.

Ladder (aka Ladder of Life or Jacob’s Ladder). 1. A pattern running vertically on a garment, making the poles and rungs of a ladder. 2. Traditionally references Jacob’s ladder, a way to heaven and eternal happiness, or more precisely a oneness with God. 3. In fishing terms, Jacob’s ladders are the ropes that run from the deck of a vessel to the rigging above. 4. A connection that causes change.

Moss. 1. A pattern with a bumpy texture created by knitting a stitch, then purling the next, alternating between the two for two rows. The next two rows are created by purling a stitch, then knitting the next, alternating between these two. Can be used by itself or as the interior pattern of a diamond or square. 2. Traditionally represents earth (the island is mostly rock and it was from moss and seaweed that soil for crop cultivation was created). 3. The ground where a life grows.

Diagonal Ribbing. 1. A pattern created by twisting stitches. It appears as the deep furrows of a field on a diagonal and is used as texturing. 2. The nature of learning.