Abbreviations Lists and Glossaries
I don’t know that I have ever edited a pattern that did not offer either an abbreviations list or a glossary. Designers want their patterns to be accessible to makers. Even the most basic of abbreviations lists or glossaries is necessary for maximum accessibility. But what is the difference? I tend to see glossaries that are more detailed and extensive than abbreviations lists. Where an abbreviations list might show ssk – slip, slip, knit, a glossary might show ssk – slip one stitch knitwise to right needle, slip the next stitch knitwise to right needle, insert left needle tip into front of the slipped stitches and knit them through the back loop with the right needle.
But whether a designer selects to use an abbreviations list or a glossary, there will be many choices to make. Designers often choose to create their own lists. Why? There are ready-made lists in every how-to-knit book, in every pattern book and magazine, on online pattern sources, the CYC lists, and in well-known and helpful craft resource books. Do designers really need their own individual lists? Absolutely. Designer abbreviations lists and glossaries are as individually creative as are their designs. But do designers need to start from scratch and attempt to make their lists unique with every abbreviation and explanation unique to them? That would be a horror show. Standardized lists abound and there is nothing wrong in selecting terms from commercially available or free sources. Doing so actually makes it easier for makers to become familiar with knitting and crochet terms and feel confident in their pattern reading skills.
Nevertheless, there exists lots of room for individuality. For example, in color knitting, should a designer choose to use colors A, B, C, etc. or MC, CC1, CC2, etc.? Will they use pattern, patt, or pat? What about wyif, wyib or wyf, wyb? Will they always abbreviate or will they abbreviate in round/row instructions but always write out the terms in other instructions? Round 7: k 3 sts, p to end, but…Heel flap will be knit over 24 stitches?
Glossaries offer even more room for individuality. Not only will terms be defined but instructions specific to a particular pattern will be explained in detail. For example, a specific type and method of working short rows within the pattern will be detailed, whether that is wrap and turn, German, yarn over, or shadow wrap.
Still, why would a designer want to create and maintain their own lists? Consistency with a capital C. There are so many different sources for finding terms and technique explanations which may or not be consistent with each other. But a designer definitely wants their terms and techniques to be clear and consistent throughout their portfolio of patterns. Additionally, a designer may find several sources with slightly differing explanations and find one they prefer or, possibly, feel they can explain it better, themselves. And finally, copy and paste.
Yes, I said copy and paste. Once a designer has put together their own lists (with room to grow), it is both the easiest and best way to ensure consistency. No need to decide for each pattern which method or style is wanted to define or explain a term. No need to remember how it was explained last time or whether it will be explained the same in each of your patterns. Create your own lists—updateable for future additions. Choose your list, locate your term(s), copy and paste, and proceed with the rest of the pattern.
And don’t forget to include frequently used phrases in your glossary. “Use needle size needed to obtain gauge.” “Block and weave in ends.” “Length is adjustable but may affect amount of yarn needed to complete your project.” The ability to copy and paste these phrases not only ensures consistency but saves time.
How basic and detailed should your abbreviations lists and glossaries be. For the designer, comprehensive lists are great. In terms of time and convenience, the more list items available, the better. For the patterns, themselves, many magazines and books prefer to save page space by offering one list of the basic terms and ask that patterns include only terms not available in their master list. However, for individually published patterns, I recommend including all terms and abbreviations that will be used in the pattern, no matter how basic. You might be surprised at how many beginning crafters cheerfully attempt patterns labeled as intermediate and advanced. If the term or technique is in the pattern, define it or explain it.
And last but not least, get it tech edited.