Translations such as drop repeats and reflections relate to the details, textures or images that make up a pattern. Tessellations refer to the geometric plan of the pattern as a whole.
Knitwear Design 101: Tessellations and surface pattern design

Translations such as drop repeats and reflections relate to the details, textures or images that make up a pattern. Tessellations refer to the geometric plan of the pattern as a whole.