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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

 

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 Yourself Some Pockets

It’s a common complaint among women and femme dressing folk that our clothes do not include enough (and enough useful) pockets. And even if your clothes do have good pockets, there’s always a chance that you’d rather have another pocket to put some essentials in rather than having to carry a whole bag. 

But because we are knitters, we can take this problem into our own needles and knit ourselves some auxiliary pockets. 

Beatrice Mase did just that, with a kind of fancy toolbelt pocket accessory that they call VELVET Pockets. 

The stitch pattern has a plush, sort of velvet effect, thus the name, but it’s worked with regular fingering/sock weight yarn. (The sample uses wool, but you could experiment with other fibers, too.) It calls for 776 yards of 710 meters, which you might just have in your sock yarn stash. 

The pattern includes several pockets of different sizes, with the main body of the pocket worked flat in one piece and the exterior pockets sewn on at the end. You also have the option of adding screw rivets and a coordinating clasp that make it look even more toolbelt chic. 

The design is worked with a loop of knit fabric at the top so it can slide onto a belt. The pattern includes explanatory diagrams, photo and video tutorials and is adjustable to fit different sizes of belts. 

It’s almost enough to make me want to start wearing belts again, even though I haven’t for years. Because who wouldn’t want a few extra little pockets to hold things when you don’t have enough to really justify carrying a bag around? 

The pattern is available in English and French on Ravelry and you can also buy a kit complete with the yarn, rivets and clasp (the pattern is not included in the kit) direct on Etsy. 

[Photo: Beatrice Mase]