'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?

Tamara · Tue Oct 17, 2006 16:39 pm *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Hi

Sorry for such a stupid question, but I actually need it – a verb to name the operation Smile

Well, when (if Smile

) you 'undo' knitting (i.e., change knitted fragment or even a whole knitted thing, entirely, to skein again) – what verb do you use to name for the operation?
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Alan · Tue Oct 17, 2006 17:19 pm *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Hi Tamara,

Can't call myself a knitter but 'undo' is fine.

Alan

PS: for stitching it could also be 'unpick'.
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SkiIucK · Tue Oct 17, 2006 17:20 pm *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Unbraid, untwist?
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Yankee · Tue Oct 17, 2006 18:03 pm *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Hi Tamara

The first verbs that came to my mind were pull out, rip out and ravel/unravel.
The all-purpose word undo also works. Very Happy

But look what I found! Wink

Amy
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Amy
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Tom · Tue Oct 17, 2006 21:30 pm *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

What about unseam?

Tom

Yankee · Tue Oct 17, 2006 22:23 pm *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Hi Tom

If you unseam something you pull open or rip apart two pieces of fabric where they have been sewn together. You could also say open the seam.

Tamara is talking about unraveling the strands of yarn that make the "knit fabric" itself.

When you're in the process of knitting something, there aren't any seams (yet).

Have you ever done any knitting or sewing?

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

Tamara · Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:52 am *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Hi

Oh… thank you all for so much new words!

Amy, you’re so kind with your look Smile

I can bravely say that for the vast majority of those 'knitting terms' I don’t have any clear idea/concept even in my native language Laughing

I like unravel the most (just by how it sounds).
And I still hate phrasal verbs Sad

(even ravel out Smile

)
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Yankee · Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:20 am *'Undo' knitting – what verb do you use for that?*

Hi Tamara

I've done my share of knitting. Especially when I have to undo a lot of rows, I usually use the phrasal verb rip out. This has a more "aggressive" feel to it whereas unravel has a more passive and relaxed feel to it. And, if I have to undo 50 rows, I don't usually feel passive or relaxed. Laughing

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

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