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is an example of a site that has inspired many Knit-Alongs. Other inspirations include Magknits (http://magknits.com) and the contents of the latest issue of Vogue Knitting.

LYS: Local Yarn Shop
While this might occasionally refer to the local Joann's, it's meant to refer to independent shops that sell yarn and other similar supplies. These stores frequently sell a wide range of yarn and needles, offer classes, and occasionally host meetings and book signings.

SnB: "Stitch n' Bitch"
This might refer to the book of the same name or the knitting groups that meet around the country. There's been some controversy over whether or not these groups are allowed to use the name, due to legal pressure from a company called Sew Fast, Sew Easy (SFSE), so you'll occasionally see this acronym used in place of the full name to avoid drawing undue attention.

Stash: Your yarn collection. Knitters both new and old are often struck by the urge to increase their stash through visits to local yarn stores or by shopping online.

Tink: Undoing knitting, one stitch at a time, while keeping the fabric on the needles. You'll note that "tink" is "knit" spelled backwards. This is in contrast to frogging, where the knit fabric is pull off the needles and the stitches unraveled row by row.

TKGA: The Knitting Guild Association
They have a series of correspondence courses and the occasional conference. They also put out a magazine. You can find them online at http://tkga.com

UFO: UnFinished Object
No aliens here, just the sweater you swore you were going to finish someday. Oh look, it's hiding in the bottom of your knitting basket. I wonder how it got there?

VK: Vogue Knitting
A magazine for knitters. Vogue also puts out knitting books under the Vogue Knitting name.

WIP: Work In Progress
A shorthand way to denote that you're talking about the latest thing on the needles.

The larger online communities have their own sets of acronyms and abbreviations. When in doubt, ask! I've always found the knitting community at large to be a generous bunch and quick to help and answer questions.

Learn more about this author, Maura Dailey.
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