Knitting on the wrong side may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, it can become an essential skill in your knitting repertoire. Whether you’re creating a reversible pattern or need to fix a mistake on the wrong side, learning this technique will give you more flexibility and confidence in your knitting projects.
When knitting on the wrong side, the key is to maintain your tension and consistency, just like when knitting on the right side. It can be helpful to use stitch markers or highlighters to differentiate between the right and wrong sides of your work. This will ensure that you’re always working on the intended side and prevent any confusion as you progress.
One important thing to remember when knitting on the wrong side is that the stitches will appear different from the right side. They may be looser or tighter, depending on your tension. Don’t be discouraged if your work doesn’t look perfect on the wrong side initially – with practice, you’ll be able to create even, smooth stitches on both sides.
Pro tip: It’s a good idea to practice knitting on the wrong side with a small swatch or sample project before tackling a larger pattern. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the technique and make any necessary adjustments to your tension.
To knit on the wrong side, simply follow the same steps as you would on the right side, but with the working yarn held in the left hand instead of the right. Keep in mind that any increases or decreases you make on the wrong side will affect the appearance of the right side, so be mindful of your stitch count and pattern instructions.
With a bit of patience and practice, knitting on the wrong side will become second nature. From reversible garments to fixing mistakes, this skill will open up a world of possibilities for your knitting projects. So grab your needles and yarn, and let’s get started on mastering this essential knitting technique!
Benefits of Knitting on the Wrong Side
Knitting on the wrong side, also known as purling, may seem daunting at first, but it offers several benefits to knitters. Here are some advantages of knitting on the wrong side:
- Texture: Knitting on the wrong side creates a different texture compared to knitting on the right side. The purl stitch brings a bumpy texture that can add depth and interest to your knitting projects.
- Reversibility: Unlike knitting on the right side, which produces a more polished appearance, knitting on the wrong side gives your project a reversible quality. This means that both sides of your knitting can be used as the right side, allowing you greater flexibility in design choices.
- Pattern Variety: Knitting on the wrong side opens up a world of pattern possibilities. By combining knit and purl stitches, you can create various stitch patterns, such as ribbing, seed stitch, and moss stitch. These patterns add visual interest to your projects and can be used to create a wide range of garments and accessories.
- Warmth and Insulation: The bumpy texture created by knitting on the wrong side can provide increased warmth and insulation in your knitted fabric. The purl stitches trap more air, creating a thicker and warmer material compared to the smoother knit stitches.
- Enhanced Knitting Skills: Learning to knit on the wrong side expands your knitting skills and helps you become a more versatile knitter. By mastering both knitting and purling, you can tackle a wider range of knitting patterns and techniques.
In conclusion, knitting on the wrong side offers unique textures, reversibility, pattern variety, warmth, and insulation benefits. It also helps you develop your knitting skills and opens up a world of creative possibilities for your knitting projects.
Choosing the Right Yarn and Needles
When it comes to knitting, choosing the right yarn and needles is essential to ensure a successful and enjoyable knitting experience. Here are some tips on how to make the right choices:
Yarn
- Consider the fiber content of the yarn. Different fibers have different characteristics and properties. Wool, for example, is warm and durable, while cotton is lightweight and breathable. Choose a fiber that suits your project and personal preferences.
- Check the weight or thickness of the yarn. Yarn is often categorized into different weights, such as lace, fingering, sport, worsted, and bulky. The weight of the yarn should match the recommendations in your knitting pattern. Using the wrong weight can result in a project that is too loose or too tight.
- Take into account the color and texture of the yarn. Choose a color that you love and that complements your knitting design. Consider the texture of the yarn as well, as it can add visual interest to your project.
- Consider the yardage or length of the yarn. Make sure you have enough yarn to complete your project. Check the yardage requirements in your knitting pattern and buy extra if needed, especially if you plan on making any modifications.
Needles
- Choose the right needle material. Knitting needles come in various materials, such as wood, bamboo, metal, and plastic. Each material has its own unique feel and characteristics. Try different materials to see which ones you prefer.
- Select the correct needle size. The needle size should match the gauge or tension specified in your knitting pattern. Using the wrong needle size can result in a project that is either too tight or too loose.
- Consider the type of needle. There are different types of knitting needles, including straight needles, circular needles, and double-pointed needles. Choose the type of needle that is most suitable for your project and knitting style.
- Take into account the length of the needles. The length of the needles should be appropriate for the size of your project. Longer needles are better for larger projects, while shorter needles are more suitable for smaller projects or knitting in the round.
By carefully choosing the right yarn and needles for your knitting project, you can set yourself up for knitting success and create beautiful and functional hand-knit items.
Casting On and Setting Up
Before you start knitting on the wrong side, you need to cast on and set up your project. Here are the steps to get you started:
- Choose the type of cast on you want to use based on your project. Some common options include the long-tail cast on, the knitted cast on, and the cable cast on.
- Measure out the yarn for your cast on. You’ll want to leave a long enough tail to weave in later, but not too long that it gets in your way as you work.
- Make a slip knot at the end of your yarn. This will be your first stitch.
- Insert one of your knitting needles into the slip knot.
- Hold the needle with the slip knot in your right hand and the other needle in your left hand. The slip knot should be on the right needle.
- Using the right needle, insert it under the left needle from left to right.
- Wrap the yarn around the right needle counterclockwise, creating a loop.
- Bring the right needle and loop of yarn through the gap between the two needles from back to front.
- Pull the loop of yarn through the gap, bringing it up and over the left needle.
- Slide the loop of yarn off the right needle and onto the left needle. This completes one cast on stitch.
- Repeat steps 6 to 10 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your project.
- Once you have finished casting on, you are ready to begin knitting on the wrong side.
Remember to keep your tension even and take your time as you cast on and set up your project. These first steps are important for creating a solid foundation for your knitting.
Basic Stitches for Knitting on the Wrong Side
When knitting on the wrong side, there are a few basic stitches that you need to know. These stitches are commonly used in various knitting patterns and will help you create a smooth and neat wrong side fabric.
Purl Stitch
The purl stitch is the most basic stitch used on the wrong side of knitting. This stitch creates a bump or a purl on the right side of the fabric. To purl, follow these steps:
- Insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle from right to left.
- Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the right-hand needle.
- Draw the right-hand needle and the wrapped yarn through the first stitch, slipping the old stitch off the left-hand needle.
Repeat these steps for each stitch on the left-hand needle until all stitches are purled.
Knit Two Together (K2TOG)
The knit two together (K2TOG) stitch is used to decrease the number of stitches on the wrong side of a knitted fabric. It is commonly used to shape the fabric or create decorative patterns. To knit two together, follow these steps:
- Insert the right-hand needle into the next two stitches on the left-hand needle as if to knit.
- Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the right-hand needle.
- Draw the right-hand needle and the wrapped yarn through both stitches, slipping them off the left-hand needle.
Repeat these steps for each set of two stitches on the left-hand needle until the desired number of stitches are decreased.
Slip Stitch (Sl)
The slip stitch (Sl) is used to move a stitch from one needle to the other without knitting or purling it. It is commonly used for shaping the fabric or to create decorative effects. To slip a stitch, follow these steps:
- Insert the right-hand needle into the next stitch on the left-hand needle as if to purl.
- Slide the stitch from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without knitting or purling it.
Repeat these steps for each stitch that needs to be slipped.
Wrap and Turn (W&T)
The wrap and turn (W&T) technique is used to create short rows, which are rows that are not knitted all the way across. This technique helps create shaping or add interest to the fabric. To wrap and turn, follow these steps:
- Knit or purl to the stitch where you want to turn.
- Bring the yarn between the needles to the front of the work for a purl stitch, or to the back of the work for a knit stitch.
- Slip the next stitch from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without knitting or purling it.
- Turn the work and continue knitting or purling in the opposite direction, leaving the wrapped stitch unworked.
This creates a wrapped stitch that will be worked later.
Conclusion
Knowing these basic stitches for knitting on the wrong side will help you follow knitting patterns and create beautiful fabric. Practice these stitches to build your skills and explore new knitting techniques.
Increasing and Decreasing Techniques
Increasing and decreasing techniques in knitting are used to shape your work and create different designs. Here are some common techniques:
Increasing Techniques
1. Knit Front and Back (KFB):
- Knit the stitch as usual, but do not slip it off the left needle.
- Insert the right needle into the back of the stitch and knit it again.
- Slip the original stitch off the left needle.
2. Make One (M1):
- Insert the left needle from front to back under the strand between the last stitch you knit and the next stitch on your left needle.
- Knit into the back of this strand to create a new stitch.
3. Yarn Over (YO):
- Bring the yarn to the front of your work.
- Take the yarn over the right needle to the back, creating a new stitch.
Decreasing Techniques
1. Knit Two Together (K2tog):
- Knit two stitches together as if they were one stitch.
2. Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK):
- Slip the next two stitches knitwise, one at a time, onto the right needle.
- Insert the left needle into the fronts of these two slipped stitches.
- Knit the two stitches together through the back loops.
3. Slip One, Knit One, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (SKP):
- Slip one stitch knitwise onto the right needle.
- Knit the next stitch.
- Pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch and off the right needle.
4. Double Decrease (DDD):
| Row 1: | Slip 1 stitch knitwise. | Knit 2 stitches together. | Pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Row 2: | Purl 2 stitches together. |
Note: The double decrease is usually used in lace knitting.
Working Patterns on the Wrong Side
When knitting on the wrong side, you will often encounter patterns and techniques that create different textures and designs on your fabric. Here are a few common patterns you might come across:
- Garter Stitch: This pattern is created by knitting every stitch on both the right and wrong sides. It creates a textured, ridged fabric that is often used for scarves and blankets.
- Stockinette Stitch: This pattern is created by alternating between knitting one row and purling the next row. On the right side, it creates a smooth, flat surface, while on the wrong side it creates a bumpy texture.
- Ribbing: Ribbing is commonly used for cuffs, collars, and edges of garments. It is created by alternating between knit and purl stitches. On the wrong side, ribbing will look similar to the right side, but it may have a slightly different texture.
- Moss Stitch: Moss stitch is created by alternating between knit and purl stitches, but in a specific pattern. This pattern creates a textured fabric with a raised, bumpy surface on both the right and wrong sides.
- Seed Stitch: Seed stitch is similar to moss stitch but with a different pattern. It is created by alternating between knit and purl stitches, but in a specific order. This pattern creates a fabric with small, raised bumps on both sides.
Remember, when working patterns on the wrong side, you will need to read the instructions and charts carefully. Pay attention to the stitches and techniques used to achieve the desired pattern. With practice, you will become more comfortable working patterns on the wrong side and will be able to create beautiful textured fabrics.
Finishing Techniques and Final Thoughts
Once you have finished knitting on the wrong side of your project, there are a few important finishing techniques to keep in mind. These techniques will help ensure that your project looks polished and professional.
1. Weaving in ends: After you have completed your project, you will have several loose ends of yarn from where you started and finished different sections. To neaten up these loose ends and prevent them from unraveling, you can weave them into the fabric of your project using a tapestry needle.
2. Blocking: Blocking is the process of shaping your finished project to improve its appearance and ensure that it retains its shape. This can involve wetting or steaming the project and pinning it into place to dry. Blocking can help even out stitches, open up lace patterns, and give your project a more professional finish.
3. Seaming: If your project consists of multiple individual pieces, such as a sweater with separate front and back panels, you will need to seam these pieces together. This is often done using a method called mattress stitch, which creates an invisible seam that blends seamlessly into the fabric.
4. Finishing touches: Once your project is complete and all loose ends are woven in and seams are sewn, you can add any final touches, such as buttons, zippers, or other embellishments. These finishing touches can add unique character to your project and make it truly your own.
Overall, learning how to knit on the wrong side opens up a world of possibilities for your knitting projects. It allows you to create different textures, patterns, and designs, and adds a new level of skill to your knitting repertoire. With practice and patience, you can become proficient at knitting on the wrong side and create beautiful, professional-quality projects.
FAQ:
What is the wrong side in knitting?
The wrong side in knitting refers to the back or inside of your knitting project. It is the side that is not typically seen when wearing the finished garment or item.
Why is it important to learn knitting on the wrong side?
Learning to knit on the wrong side is important because it allows you to create more intricate patterns and designs in your knitted items. It also helps improve your overall knitting skills and understanding of different stitch techniques.
How do you knit on the wrong side?
To knit on the wrong side, you need to follow the same knitting instructions as you would on the right side, just in reverse. This means that when a pattern calls for a knit stitch on the right side, you will purl it on the wrong side, and vice versa.
Can you knit a whole project on the wrong side?
Yes, you can knit a whole project on the wrong side if you want to achieve a specific textured or ribbed effect. However, it is more commonly used to create different stitch patterns on the back of a project while maintaining a smooth and even front side.
When should you switch to the wrong side in knitting?
You should switch to the wrong side in knitting when the pattern or instructions indicate to do so. This may be after a certain number of rows, or when a specific stitch pattern is called for on the wrong side. Always follow the pattern instructions for the best results.
What are some common mistakes beginners make when knitting on the wrong side?
Some common mistakes beginners make when knitting on the wrong side include forgetting to switch the stitch instructions, leading to a misaligned pattern; accidentally knitting instead of purling or purling instead of knitting; and not maintaining an even tension throughout the project.
Can you knit on the wrong side using circular needles?
Yes, you can knit on the wrong side using circular needles. The process is the same as with straight needles, where you simply follow the pattern instructions in reverse. The benefit of using circular needles is that they can hold a large number of stitches, making it easier to manage larger projects.