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MC

abbreviationStandard termTextiles

The primary yarn color used for the background or majority of a multi-colored knitting or crochet project.

MC stands for main color, designating the base yarn in patterns that use multiple shades, such as Fair Isle or intarsia. It establishes the background fabric against which contrasting colors (CC) are worked. Designers use this abbreviation in charts and written instructions to keep colorwork directions concise.

Heard on the job

Cast on 120 stitches in MC and join in the round before switching to the contrasting color for the brim.

Also heard as

  • main color

Related terms

CC

Contrasting color, a secondary yarn color used to create patterns against a main color.

Fair Isle

A traditional stranded knitting technique used to create complex, multi-colored geometric patterns.

Intarsia

A colorwork knitting technique used to create large, distinct blocks of color.

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