Primer of Twisted Rib: k1tbl and p1tbl

I am working on a new design in luscious Malabrigo Rios that incorporates twisted stitches.  There are two categories of twisted stitches:  knit and purl stitches that are worked individually through the back loop, and a pair of stitches that are worked together to mimic a 2-stitch cable (also called travelling stitches).  Today I am writing about the knit and purl stitches that are individually twisted.   

Why twisted stitches?  Why not just work regular knits and purls?  I think twisted stitches have much better stitch definition and make the stitch pattern really pop out.  

I am a loose knitter, and no matter how many needle sizes I go down, my rib always looks stretched out.  I've tried everything I can think of: ridiculously small needles, twisting the knit stitches then untwisting them on the next row, etc and nothing seems to help.  So I have mostly switched to working a twisted rib.  

Twisting the knit stitches keeps them nice and crisp against the background of purls.  Twisting the purl stitches doesn't seem to make it look much different, but if you are working flat, then knowing how to work a twisted purl stitch is necessary.  All the twisted knit stitches on the right side of your work need to be twisted purl stitches on the wrong side. 

Twisted Rib

Plain Rib

Twisted knit stitch, also known as knitting through the back loop. This is usually abbreviated 'k1tbl'.  Normally we would insert the needle through the front part of the stitch, but to make a twisted knit stitch we insert the needle through the back part of the stitch.  Wrap the yarn around and complete the stitch as usual.  

Insert needle through the back part of the stitch.

Twisted purl stitch, usually abbreviated 'p1tbl'.  Purling through the back loop is less common than knitting through the back loop, and can be a bit mysterious to figure out.  I promise it is easy!  The trick is how to maneuver the needle.  With the right needle, insert it through the stitch, from left to right, from the back of the stitch to the front.  Pushing the needle to the front of the works twists the stitch.  See how it is twisted?  Now wrap the yarn around and complete the stitch as usual.  Not too hard, right?

Needle is at the back of the work, moving from left to right.

Insert needle through the back part of the stitch and push the needle to the front of the work. This action twists the stitch.

Twisted Rib is definitely firmer than plain rib, but is still a good option for cuffs, neck bands and hat brims. If you are making a sweater with a background of Reverse Stockinette stitch, a single column of twisted knit stitches make a nice pretend 'side seam'. Try some twisted rib and compare it with plain rib.  Do you like the stitch definition better? 

Once you have mastered knitting and purling through the back loop, you are ready for a new challenge: working twisted stitches in a cable pattern.  My upcoming design uses twisted stitches to create a zig-zag cable on a background of twisted rib.

Stay tuned for more details about this pattern!  Until then, Happy New Year!