How to Knit Without Turning

Create flat stockinette stitch without purling by knitting backward.

Many knitters knit and purl at different tensions, which can lead to loose stitches and uneven rows when working flat stockinette stitch. Even if you purl at the exact same tension, you may find that purling slows you down. You can avoid purling by working in the round on circular or double-pointed needles, but some projects have to be knitted flat. Avoid purling on flat projects by knitting backward, working the stitches from left to right.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Knitting needles

Instructions

1. Knit to the end of the current knit row, freeing the needle in your left hand. Do not turn your work. Keep the empty needle in your left hand.

2. Insert the tip of your left needle into the back loop of the last stitch you knitted, from left to right.

3. Wrap the working yarn around the left needle counterclockwise.

4. Pull the yarn through the stitch, so that the new stitch is on your left needle. Pull the knitted stitch off the right needle.

5. Knit each stitch backward until you have freed the right needle. Do not turn the work.

6. Knit the next row as usual, transferring each knit stitch from the left needle to the right as you knit it.

References

• Jimmy Beans Wool; Knitting Backwards; September 2006
• Knitting-And: Knitting Backwards (and Purling Too)

Resources

• Knitty; Put it in Reverse; Sara Galley; Summer 2006