Knitting Backwards

With some helpful knitting instruction, it isn't difficult to learn the basics behind knitting backwards.

What is Knitting Backwards?
When a left-handed knitter holds the needles in their hands, the knitted object starts on the right-hand needle, and the new stitches form on the left-hand needle. Visualize your knitting. Most knitters have their knitted object starting on the left-hand needle and the new stitches form on the right-hand needle.

When most people use the term 'knitting backwards,' they are referring to when all of the stitches have moved from your right-hand needle to your left-hand needle, and when 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. There is no purling and no turning.

When a left-handed knitter is knitting backwards, he or she is knitting in the same direction as right-handed knitters normally knit. When right-handed knitters are knitting backwards, they are knitting as left-handed knitter normally knit. Basically, what you want to learn to do is expand your knitting ability to understand how to knit in 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 your knitting around because you can simply knit backwards. You will be especially glad you learned this skill when the rows are short and it feels like you are constantly turning your project.

Some knitters have never gotten very friendly with purling and are glad to remove this technique by using the knitting backwards technique. Another great benefit is that you will be able to demonstrate good knitting technique to left-handed knitting newbies.

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 the yarn do what you want it to. This sort of brain activity helps keep your mind working.

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 in both directions, start a project that involves the use of lots of stockinette stiches.

Be aware that many novelty yarns make it more difficult to see the stitches. If you are a new knitter, pick a yarn with which you can easily see individual stitches on the needle. This means the yarn slides easily on the needles, with no splitting. For a more experienced knitter, an entrelac scarf pattern would be a great choice.

After you've chosen your yarn and needles for your project (or pulled out a work in progress that fits the bill), you can visit some excellent online tutorials that will provide you with the nuts and bolts of how to learn to knit backwards. Pick one that works for you and begin knitting!

Knitting Backwards Online Tutorials
The Stream of Consciousness Knitting Backward Tutorial has no pictures, but helps you understand the process thoroughly.

Knitty.com's Knitting Wisdom: Put it in Reverse tutorial takes on knitting backwards with photos to provide some visual support.