🇺🇸🇨🇦 Knitting Terminology Differences: U.S. vs. Canada
When following a knitting pattern, understanding the language used is just as important as knowing the stitches themselves. While Canadian and American patterns are often very similar, a few key differences in terminology and abbreviations can confuse even experienced knitters. In this post, we’ll break down the main variations between U.S. and Canadian knitting terms so you can knit with confidence—no matter where your pattern comes from.
📌 Tip: Bookmark this page so you can come back anytime you need a quick terminology check!
🧶 U.S. vs. Canada: Knitting Term & Abbreviation Comparison
| 🇺🇸 U.S. Term or Abbreviation | 🇨🇦 Canadian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| bind off | cast off |
| gauge | tension |
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
✨ Why This Matters
These differences may seem small, but they can have a big impact on your final project. For example:
- A pattern that says “bind off” may confuse Canadian knitters used to seeing “cast off.”
- Understanding that “gauge” and “tension” mean the same thing ensures your project size turns out as expected.
- The abbreviation sl st (slip stitch) is commonly used in the U.S., while ss is more frequent in Canadian/British patterns.
Knowing these regional terms allows you to confidently follow patterns from a wider range of designers.
📎 Related Resources
🧵 Handy Tip for Global Crafters
📚 If you enjoy using international patterns, it’s a good idea to keep a personal knitting glossary or bookmark this page. The more you knit, the more intuitive these terms will become.
