There are usually many active stitches on the knitting needle at one time.
Knitted fabric consists of a number of consecutive rows of connected loops
that intermesh with the next and previous rows. As each row is formed,
each newly created loop is pulled through one or more loops from the prior
row and placed on the gaining needle so that the loops from the prior row
can be pulled off the other needle without unraveling.
Differences in yarn (varying in fibre type, weight, uniformity and twist),
needle size, and stitch type allow for a variety of knitted fabrics with
different properties, including color, texture, thickness, heat retention,
water resistance, and integrity. A small sample of knitwork is known as a
swatch.