Knitting Backwards

Have you ever sat knitting and thought to yourself "Hmmph. I wish I didn't have to do all this pesky turning my knitting around and purling. I want to knit backwards."? If so, be assured you are not the only freaky odd backward knitter wannabe out there. If you have not thought this, read on anyway. I am determined to convince you of the merits of knitting back backwards.

What is knitting backwards?

I knit left handed. When I hold the needles in my hand, the knitted object starts on the right hand needle, and the new stitches form on the left hand needle. Visualize your knitting. (Or pick it up and knit a few rows. Why not? I'll wait). Most knitters have their knitted object starting on the left hand needle, and the new stitches form on the right hand needle. (A decent sized cross section of these knitters become woozy and disoriented while watching a lefty knit). When most people say 'knitting backwards' what they mean is this: when all the stitches have moved from your right hand needle to your left hand needle, you, without turning your work, insert the needle in the last stitch knitted and knit new stitches to move the object back onto your right hand needle. No purling, no turning.

Of course, when I knit "backwards", it is by going in the same direction all y'all normally go. And when you righties knit backwards, you are knitting "left handed", my normal state of being. Got it? Basically, what you want to learn to do is expand your knitting ability to knitting both directions on the needle.

Why knit backwards

This is a very handy skill to have when you are working on a large area of stockinette stitch. You won't have to turn you knitting around, simply knit back backwards. You will be especially glad of this skill when the rows are short and it feels like you are constantly turning!

Some knitters have never gotten very friendly with purling, and are glad to not have to do it by using the knitting backwards technique. Another great side benefit is that you will be able to demonstrate good knitting technique to knitting newbie lefties. Learning to knit this way will also make you concentrate on your knitting again, forging new neural pathways in your brain as you try to figure out how to make that blasted yarn do what you want it to. This sort of brain activity helps keep you young; yet another good reason to learn new knitting techniques, such as knitting backwards. I don't think it will do anything for crow's feet, but you never know.

How to knit backwards

Learning a new technique is awkward at first, but with practice it will get smoother. Practice is the key. If you want to learn to knit both directions, start a project that involves lots of stockinette. I started a scarf just for this purpose. I am using a novelty ladder yarn (I got it at Dollar Tree. A great deal, but not my usual yarn purchase- I had to use it for something), so it has good visual appeal, even though it is 'plain' stockinette. However, be aware that many novelty yarns make it more difficult for you to see the stitches. If you are new knitter, pick a yarn with which you can easily see individual stitches on the needle and easily work with (slides easily on the needles, no splitting, etc.)! For a more experienced knitter, an entrelac scarf pattern would be a great choice.

After you've grabbed the yarn and needles for your Knitting Backwards Technique Learning Project (or pulled out a work in progress that fits the bill), you can visit these links. There are excellent online tutorials giving the nuts and bolts of how to learn to knit back backwards. Pick one that makes sense to you, and cast on!

Stream of Consciousness Knitting Backward Tutorial This tutorial has no pictures, but helps you understand the process thoroughly. What I call the Zen approach.

Knitty.com Knitting Wisdom: Put it in Reverse Knitty.com takes on knitting backwards, with photos!

~Theresa Lansberry

Theresa Lansberry is primary knitter for James (her husband of 11 years, and counting), her six children, and Einstein the hairless dog. She obsesses about knitting in the heartland of America, Peoria, IL.