Guest Post By Mark Rougeux
Knitting through the back loop (ktbl) can be a very frustrating stitch, but it doesn’t have to be. It is designed to twist the stitches and is used to add strength to things like the soles of slippers. The stitch is also called the twisted garter stitch and creates tighter, more well-defined stitches.
There is one inherent problem with ktbl, it’s sometimes not easy to do. The pattern for the slippers I am currently making calls for using two strands of worsted wool. Since the stitches are tighter, manipulating them can be tiring on the hands, as well as making the stitch itself hard to manage.
I found a neat little trick that certainly made the stitch much easier. Instead of going through the back loop and trying to catch the back leg of the stitch, insert your needle as if to purl – through the front leg.
Keeping your needle in the loop, move it up and over the needle that it is crossing. You will have then placed the needle in the correct position to complete the stitch as a ktbl.
Increasing within a ktbl row
When your pattern calls for an increase for shaping, simply knit through the front and the back of the stitch (kfb) as you would normally. This usually happens after the first ktbl stitch and is then followed by ktbl stitches to the end of the row. If additional stitch increases are required, a kfb stitch does the trick again, but is done when there are two or three stitches remaining in the row to add strength. I am using this technique while creating the sole and toe of my slippers simultaneously.
Alternate for double-stranded ktbl
Working with a double strand of worsted wool is not difficult, but some do find it a bit awkward at first. After knitting a few wearable pieces, I tried knitting with a bulky yarn instead. I have found this to be a very good solution. There are lots of different plies of bulky yarn, so doing a swatch becomes a very important step before beginning your project. Keep in mind that while you are knitting with a double strand, you may be more inclined to knit more tightly than with one strand of bulky yarn. Make sure you use the same type of needle that you are planning to use as well. The tension while using a nickel-plated circular needle will be much different from a wooden, bamboo, or acrylic needles.
And there you have it. KTBL is not a difficult stitch, but it can be a bit daunting if you have to struggle with each stitch. Using the little trick in the first paragraph really saves me time and effort. When you have about 1500 stitches for one part of a project, you don’t need to argue with each new loop of yarn.
Are there any other stitch tutorials you would like to see on the blog?
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i’m gearing up to try toe up socks two at a time on the magic loop. i’ve done top down one at a time on dpns but the magic loop looks intriguing.
I’m knitting socks toe up – 2 at a time – magic loop. It is great – you can try them on as you knit – when you are done you have a pair of socks instead of one. Love it.
I was crazy and my first attempt at socks were 2 at a time cuff down, my second pair was 2 at a time toes up. Im dyslexic so looking back i should have been more worried but that would have stopped me. Sometimes entering something with blind nietivity (sorry about spelling) allows you to achieve so much more because fear isnt a factor. Good luck, i suggest practicing with 2 colors of yarn until you get the lightbulb moment. Since then there are no mateless socks anywhere in my house! Have fun.
I would love to see a tutorial on overlay crochet. I have seen some beautiful coasters and dollies created doing overlay crochet. I think they call them mandalas. Looking forward to seeing some new tutorials.
i knit both sleeves at a time, stops the bordom and ensures equal length.
I just found a scarf pattern I wanted to try that uses this stitch. I’ve never knitted through the back loop. This couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you.
I always use a knit into the back of stitch when working K1 P1 rib on sweaters, knit into the back on each row, makes an interesting neat rib.
I do 2 mitts at a time using the 2 straight needle method so I dont have to worry about row count but you can also do the same thing on a long circ as well. then add in thumbs at end.
life is simple if you try Lol
When changing colors when using a rib pattern always make the first row of the new color an all knit row. It doesn’t makes a much smoother transition and the rib pattern remains in tact.
When casting on a lot of stitches I place a marker after every ten. That keeps my cast on number correct every time and I don’t gave to keep recounting “just to be sure”.
I would reAlly welcome tips for sewing up seams etc when completing and finishing a garment. . Also picking up stitches for front bands on cardigans. My knitting is good but my finishing touches are bad and ruin the look of the garment.
Your ktbl helped a lot but i just gave up on a pattern that said “wyif p2togbl” im just not sure its possible. I dont really understand how to p2togbl in the first part, but when im required to bring the yarn forward. Im still pretty new although ive done some advanced patterns with sucess (and a few tears) but this has me lost. I would love a little help if anyone has an idea. Thanks