Unraveling the Mystery: How to Easily Identify the Right Side of Knitting

Knitting is a beloved craft that has been passed down for generations, creating cozy and intricate garments that are both functional and beautiful. However, for beginners, the seemingly simple act of starting a knitting project can often become overwhelming when trying to determine the right side of your work. But fear not, fellow knitters! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to confidently identify the right side of your knitting and improve the overall look of your project. So grab your needles, unwind your yarn, and let’s dive into how to tell the right side of knitting.

The Basics of Knitting: Understanding the Right Side

Knitting is a popular hobby that has been around for centuries. It involves creating fabric by interlocking yarn through a series of loops using needles. One of the essential aspects of knitting is understanding the concept of the right side and wrong side of your work. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to tell the right side of knitting and why it is crucial to keep track of it.

What is the Right Side?

In knitting, the right side refers to the surface or face of your fabric that will be visible in the finished product. This is also known as the public side or front of your work. On the other hand, the wrong side is considered to be the inside or backside of your fabric that will not be seen in the final product.

How to Tell Which Side is Up?

The easiest way to tell which side is up in knitting is by looking at your stitches. If you have been following a pattern, you can use it as a reference for identifying which side should be up. Generally, if you have been knitting in stockinette stitch (alternating rows of knit and purl stitches), then all knit stitches will appear on one side and all purl stitches on the other. The smooth, V-shaped knit stitch creates a bumpy texture on one side (wrong side) and a smooth surface on the other (right side).

Another method to determine which side is up is by looking at any decorative elements or special stitches in your pattern. These are usually only worked on one side and can help you identify which way your knitting should face.

The Importance of Knowing Which Side is Which

Knowing which side is up may seem like a small detail, but it can make a significant difference in the quality and appearance of your finished project. The right side of your knitting will display the pattern or design you have been working on, while the wrong side will show the back of your stitches, which may look messy or uneven.

Another reason for keeping track of the right side is that it affects the direction of your stitches. When knitting flat, knitting on the right side is done from right to left, and purling on the wrong side is done from left to right. If you mistakenly start a row on the wrong side, it can result in twisted stitches and affect the tension and overall look of your work.

How to Tell Which Way to Insert Your Needle

When switching between knit and purl stitches, it is essential to correctly insert your needle into the next stitch. Knitting into a stitch from behind will twist it and create a different look than if you knit into it from the front. When reading a pattern, you can follow specific directions for inserting your needle into each type of stitch. However, if you are improvising or creating your own design, remember to look at your fabric’s public face as a guide for how to insert your needle correctly.

Keeping Track of Your Knitting

One common beginner mistake in knitting is getting lost in their work and losing track of which row they are on. This often results in counting and recounting rows or even having to undo work due to mistakes being made on the wrong side. To avoid this frustration, experienced knitters have developed various methods for keeping track of their work.

Some popular ways include using stitch markers at specific intervals or writing notes on pattern instructions after each completed row. You can also place a running counter that increases with each row or use removable markers to mark off every tenth row visually.

Knitting Techniques That Affect Which Side is Up

There are various techniques used in knitting that can affect the appearance and direction of your stitches. These techniques include lace knitting, fair isle, intarsia, and entrelac. Each of these techniques creates unique textures and designs that are visible on the right side of your knitting.

In lace knitting, the pattern appears on both the right and wrong sides, so it does not matter which way your work is facing. In fair isle knitting, two or more colors are used to create a pattern, and both sides are usually visible. Intarsia involves knitting or crocheting multiple colors in separate sections to create large images or patterns that also appear on both sides. Finally, entrelac creates a woven-like appearance with diagonally knit stitches that also appear on both sides.

Understanding how to tell the right side of knitting is an essential skill for any knitter. It not only helps you keep track of your work but also ensures that your finished project looks neat and professional. By paying attention to your stitches and using various techniques for tracking your progress, you can successfully identify which side should be up in your knitting. So next time you pick up your needles, remember to keep an eye on the right side!

Understanding Knitting Basics

Knitting is a crafting technique that involves using yarn and needles to create fabric or garments. It has been a popular hobby for centuries, and with the recent revival of traditional crafts, it has gained even more popularity. However, for beginners, knitting can be quite intimidating. With all the different techniques and terminology involved, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

One fundamental aspect of knitting is being able to tell the right side from the wrong side. Knowing which side is the right side is crucial in following patterns correctly and achieving desired results. In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about identifying the right side of your knitting.

The Right Side vs. The Wrong Side

In simple terms, the right side or RS is the front or outer-facing side of your knitting, while the wrong side or WS is the backside or inner-facing side. Most knitted fabrics have a distinct difference between these two sides; one is usually smoother and neater, while the other may have bumps or “purl bumps.” In some cases, both sides may look similar due to lace-like designs or reversible patterns.

The RS and WS are determined by how you work your stitches on each row. When knitting in rows (back-and-forth), you will notice that each row has an RS-facing you as you work on it, followed by a WS when you turn your work to start on a new row. This alternating pattern creates two distinct sides of your fabric.

Identifying The Right Side

Now that we understand what the RS and WS are let’s look at how we can tell them apart in our knitting. Some pieces of advice that can help include:

– Markers: When starting a project, some seasoned knitters suggest placing markers on one of your needles before casting on your stitches. This will help identify which side is the RS.
– Texture: In most cases, the RS has a smoother texture, while the WS may have more bumps or purl stitches. Run your fingers over the surface of your knitting to feel for a difference.
– Vs and Dots: If you are knitting in stockinette stitch (knitting one row, purling the next), look for V-shaped stitches on one side and dots or bumps on the other. The V-side is usually the RS.
– Slip Stitches: Some patterns will instruct you to slip stitches (pass them from one needle to another without working them) to create a decorative effect. In these cases, the side where you slip stitches is typically considered the WS.

Colorwork Knitting

When it comes to colorwork knitting (using multiple colors in a single row), it can be challenging to determine which side is which. However, there are a few ways to figure it out:

– Avs and Bvs Method: When knitting with two colors, each stitch in a row can either be an A-colored stitch or a B-colored stitch. Therefore, if you see more A-colored vs. B-colored stitches on one side of your work, that is most likely the RS.
– The Dominant Color Method: Another method used by colorwork knitters is identifying which color dominates on one side of their work. Usually, with stranded colorwork (both colors are carried along as you knit), if there are fewer strands of one color visible on one side than the other, that is most likely the RS.
– Making The Choice: Ultimately, when working on reversible patterns or those that require both sides to be seen (like scarves), it is up to you to choose which side you prefer as the RS. Just make sure to be consistent throughout your project.

Tips On Keeping Track of Your Sides

To avoid confusion while knitting, here are some tips to help keep track of your RS and WS:

– Use stitch markers (mentioned earlier) on either side of your work as a visual reminder.
– Keep written notes or symbols on your pattern indicating which side is the RS. You can also use a highlighter or colored pencil for quick reference.
– If you get interrupted in the middle of a row, pause at the beginning of the next one. This will ensure that when you return, you will know which side is which.
– Pay close attention to shaping details on patterns (increases, decreases, etc.). These are often worked only on one side of your work and can help identify the RS.

Understanding how to tell the right side of your knitting is an essential skill for any knitter. It can save you from making costly mistakes and ensure that your finished piece looks exactly as intended. With practice, you will become more familiar with how different stitches look on each side and easily determine which is the RS.

If you ever find yourself uncertain

1. How do I know which side is the right side of my knitting?
Answer: The easiest way to tell which side is the right side of your knitting is by looking at the stitches. The loops on the right needle will appear as a ‘v’ shape, while on the wrong side they will look like a bump.

2. Is there a difference between the right and wrong sides of knitting?
Answer: Yes, there is a clear difference between the right and wrong sides of knitting. The right side is usually considered to be the front or public facing side, while the wrong side is typically seen as the back or hidden side.

3. Can I tell the right side of my knitting by feeling it?
Answer: It can be difficult to determine the right side of knitting just by feeling it, especially for beginners. It’s best to rely on visual cues such as stitch patterns and loops to identify the right and wrong sides.

4. What if my knitting pattern doesn’t specify which is the right side?
Answer: If your pattern does not mention which is the right or wrong side, you can use your judgment based on common conventions. For example, if you are working in stockinette stitch, the smooth and flat side will be considered as the right side.

5. Is there a way to mark or keep track of which is the right and wrong sides during knitting?
Answer: Yes, there are several methods for marking or keeping track of which is the right and wrong sides while knitting. Some options include using stitch markers, placing a safety pin on one end, or tying a small piece of contrasting yarn onto one edge.

6. Can I switch between working on the right and wrong sides while knitting?
Answer: Yes, depending on your pattern instructions, you may need to alternate between working on the right and wrong sides of your knitting. Just make sure to keep track of which side you are on, and refer to the pattern for any specific instructions.

In conclusion, knowing how to identify the right side of knitting is an important skill for any knitter. By paying attention to subtle details such as the shape and direction of stitches, yarn tails, and stitch patterns, one can easily determine the right side of their work. Additionally, understanding the characteristics of different types of stitches and techniques can aid in identifying the right side of a particular project. It is also essential to remember that in some cases, both sides may look identical, and it is ultimately up to personal preference. Overall, being able to tell the right side of knitting not only ensures a neat and professional finish but also allows for easier following of patterns and creates a more enjoyable knitting experience. With practice and attention to detail, anyone can confidently distinguish the right side from the wrong side in their knitting projects.

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.