Rowan and Tess Dawson patterns, which we feature, are British.  It is important to take note of the different terminology.

Regarding crochet stitches,

British double crochet (dc) = US single crochet (sc)

British treble crochet (tr) = US double crochet (dc)

British half-treble crochet (h tr) = US half-double crochet (hdc)

British double treble crochet (d tr) = US treble crochet (tr)

British triple treble crochet (tr tr )= US double treble crochet (d tr)

British quadruple treble crochet (q or quad tr) = US triple treble crochet (tr tr)

British quintuple treble (qt or quint tr) = US quadruple treble (q or quad tr)

British sextuple treble (s or sext tr) = US quintuple treble (qt or quint tr)

Regarding yarn weight,
British 4-ply = US Sport Weight
British Doubleknitting = US Worsted
British Chunky = US Bulky

Glossary of Terms:

(When the British term differs, it is in parenthesis.)

bind off (cast off) = Work two stitches, and then lift the first stitch over the second stitch.  Work another stitch (you will have two stitches on right needle), and again lift the first stitch over the second.  Continue in this way until all stitches are off the needles. 

bind off in ribbing (cast off in ribbing) = Work in ribbing as you bind off (knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches).

3-needle bind off = With the right side of two knitted pieces facing and the needles parallel, insert a third needle into the first stitch on each needle and then knit the two stitches together.  Knit the next stitch on each needle the same way, and then lift the first stitch on the right hand needle over the second.  Again insert the third needle into the first stitch on each of the other two needles and knit the two stitches together.  Again lift the first stitch on the right hand needle over the second.  Continue in this way until all stitches are off the needles.

bobbin = Used to hold small amounts of yarn; often used in multicolor, Fair Isle, work. 

cast on = Create a starting row of stitches on a needle in order to begin knitting.

decrease (left slanting) = Slip, slip, knit (see below) in order to reduce the number of stitches in a row.

decrease (right slanting) = Knit 2 together in order to reduce the number of stitches in a row.

felting = A process (on purpose or by accident) of applying steam (warm/hot water) to woolen fibers which causes them to mat together and become stiff and firm, like a felt hat. 

garter stitch = Knit every row.  For circular knitting, knit one round then purl one round.

hairpin lace = Hairpin lace consists of loops made on a large, hairpin-like crochet fork and secured at the center with crochet stitches. Strips of hairpin lace are later joined to make the finished article. Here are clear instructions on creating hairpin lace, courtesy of Wrights: How to Create Hairpin Lace. To see hairpin lace looms, click here.

increase = Knit into the front and then into the back of a stitch in order to add stitches to a row.

Kitchner stitch = Making a row of stitches that joins two pieces of knitted fabric that have exposed loops.  This is grafting.

knitwise = Insert the needle into the stitch as if you were going to knit it.

make one = With the right-hand needle tip, lift the strand between the last stitch worked and the next stitch on the left-hand needle.  Place the strand on the left-hand needle and knit into the back of it in order to add a stitch to a row.  (The lifted strand should be twisted so that there is no hole in the knitted fabric.)

make one p-st = With the right-hand needle tip, lift the strand between the last stitch worked and the next stitch on the left-hand needle.  Place the strand on the left-hand needle and purl it in order to add a stitch to a row.  One purl stitch has been added.  (The lifted strand should be twisted so that there is no hole in the knitted fabric.)

no stitch = When reading a chart, a shaded space indicates where stitches have been decreased or not yet made.  There is "no stitch" to work.  Work the stitches in the chart, skipping over the shaded "no stitch" spaces.

place markers = Place or attach a loop of contrast yarn or purchased stitch marker as indicated. 

pick up and knit (or purl) = Knit or purl into the loops along an edge.

purlwise = Insert the needle into the stitch as if you were going to purl it.

reverse stockinette stitch (reverse stocking stitch) = Purl right-side rows and knit wrong-side rows.  For circular knitting, purl all rounds. 

selvage stitch = Edge stitch that makes seaming easier.

slip, slip, knit = Slip next two stitches knitwise, one at a time, to the right-hand needle.  Insert the tip of the left-hand needle into the fronts of these stitches, from left to right, and knit them together.  One stitch has been decreased.

slip, slip, slip, knit = Slip next three stitches knitwise, one at a time, to the right-hand needle.  Insert the tip of the left-hand needle into the fronts of these stitches, from left to right, and knit them together.  Two stitches have been decreased.

slip stitch = An unworked stitch made by passing a stitch from the left-hand to the right-hand needle. 

stockinette stitch (stocking stitch) = Knit right-side rows and purl wrong-side rows.  For circular knitting, knit all rounds.

work even (work straight) = Continue in pattern without increasing or decreasing.

yarn over (yfwd, yon, yrn) = Make a new stitch by wrapping the yarn over the right-hand needle.  This will create a hole in the knitted fabric.

How to Felt:

Put the item to be felted in the washing machine. Add a small amount of detergent, use hot water at a low water level. Wash for five minutes. Check to see if the item is felted as tightly as desired; the longer you wash it, the smaller and more felted it will become. If the item is not quite felted enough, continue washing and carefully check every few minutes. When felted, remove and rinse in cold water. Blot with towel. Don't be surprised if the felted item looks nothing like it should. You'll need to shape and block the item, pulling and stretching as needed. If you are felting a bag, you may want to stuff it with a plastic bag so that it keeps its shape. Allow to dry completely.

A Note:

Knitting and crochet terminology, pattern abbreviations, as well as needle and crochet hook sizing, vary considerably across this large world of knitting and crochet. Our goal in creating this FAQ is to provide as complete and accurate a guide as possible considering the varying information. We hope you find our FAQ useful, but we remind you to always use common sense in your knitting and crochet. If it looks perfect, it is perfect!