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How to Purl Backward, or Knit Garter Stitch without Turning

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How to purl backward to knit garter stitch without turning.I’ve been working on this sweater for my daughter since before Christmas, and I thought I was almost done (she decided she wanted it 4 inches longer, but that’s a post for another day). The last detail is three little button tabs worked in Garter Stitch.

They’re just 8 stitches across, so I thought this would be a fun time to try knitting Garter Stitch backward, without turning the work.

I will tell you I can’t work back from the right hand needle to the left with the speed that I can knit, turn and knit some more, but it’s a fun mental challenge anyway.

It’s a pretty easy technique once you can get your mind and your hands around it.

Insert the left-hand needle into the stitch from left to right, wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the needle, pull the new stitch under and to the back and slide the old stitch off the right-hand needle.

I know, doesn’t sound that easy. It totally is when you get the hang of it, I promise. I made a video to help explain.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5UHyu7IECM&w=560&h=315]

Would you try this technique or have you used it before? I’d love to know what you think.

Also, I may make the videos a regular thing, so if there are topics you would like to see, please let me know!

Want to learn garter stitch? Check out this tutorial on Garter stitch Knitting. We also have these articles to help you find garter stitch patterns.

Start the Year with Easy Garter Stitch Knitting Patterns

Garter Stitch Knitting Patterns for New Knitters

A Simple Chunky Garter Stitch Sweater

Learn How to Knit Stripes in Garter Stitch with the Brightside Cowl

 

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Comments

  2. I learned the technique of knitting backwards from a course on Craftsy called “Improve your knitting”. It was taught by Patty Lyons, from the Lyon brand yarn company. It was pretty mind blowing at first to catch on. I find the skill of purling backwards very helpful when turning heals on socks. It saves time when you don’t have to flip your work around so often. I seem to have a better tension purling backwards, too. Keep those needles clicking. 😉

  3. I agree it looks not very fast. I think I will do better just turning. I’m going to try it though, because I love trying new things. Thanks for the video. 🙂

Have you read?

Knit a Glasses Holder for Your Bedside Table

knit glasses holder

Not too long ago I was seeing a crochet pattern for a glasses holder shaped like a bear all over the Internet. It was super cute, and also useful as a place to put your glasses on your bedside table instead of just throwing them somewhere random.

This project stewed in my brain for a little while and I decided I needed to make a knit version, but I didn’t want to make a bear. If you know anything about me you might know that I’m a cat person, so of course my version had to be a cat.

The base is just a basic little basic worked from the center out to the desired size, then up the sides as long as you want them. Knit some ears and add embellishments to make it whatever kind of animal you want.

The way I figured out to work the base from the center out was to use a crochet cast on, which gives you an easier way to pick up stitches from the back of the cast on than if you worked a more traditional cast on for a knitting project. It’s kind of fun to do things in a different way from time to time.

This little project is adorable if I do say so myself, and even as a plain little basket not made into an animal it’s a cute way to keep your glasses or other little things in one place. I’m tempted to make one for my desk to hold pens or even little little scissors and sewing needles that are always on my desk but somehow always seem to get lost on my desk.

If you need a little holder for your glasses on your table, check out the pattern at Our Daily Craft.

[Photo: Our Daily Craft]