Which term describes the main stitches used in knitting?

The term that describes the main stitches used in knitting is "Knit and purl." These are the foundational stitches that form the basis of various knitting patterns and techniques. The knit stitch creates a smooth side on the fabric, while the purl stitch creates a textured side that is typically considered the reverse side.

Knit and purl stitches can be combined in numerous ways to create different fabrics and patterns, such as garter stitch (knitting every row) or stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows). Mastering these two techniques is essential for any knitter because they are the building blocks for more complex designs.

Other options, such as chain and slip, are not relevant specifically to knitting; those terms are more commonly associated with crocheting. Purl and cross or twist and cast do not reflect the primary methods used in the knitting process, focusing instead on other techniques or specific actions that are less fundamental than knit and purl.