Learn how to create a twisted stitch with a ktbl (knit through back loop) in this video knitting tutorial!

Chances are, if you keep on knitting, eventually you’ll run across ktbl (knit through back loop). This is twisted knit stitch that produces a tighter stitch and is usually used for decorative purposes.

It takes a few minutes to get your mind used to knitting through the back of the stitch, it will probably feel a little alien at first, but it’s a technique worth learning and keeping in your knitting arsenal so that when you do run across it, you know what to do!

The other, secret reason I’ll use ktbl is if I frogged something (that means undo part of my knitting project) and I accidentally put any of the stitches back on the needle with the left leg in front, instead of the right leg in front, you can just ktbl and the stitch will still come out like a regular knit stitch and fix that improperly mounted stitch. That saves a little more time rather than re-mounting any stitches.

Another time you use ktbl, is in part of another stitch, often an increase, like kfb. For kfb you knit in the front leg of the stitch like normal and THEN you ktbl of that same stitch.

So again, it’s a handy stitch to know how to do.

How to ktbl (knit through back loop):

1. To ktbl, start with the yarn behind your work
2. Insert the right knitting needle into the BACK of the first stitch from right to left
3. Wrap the yarn around the tip of the right knitting needle
4. Pull the yarn through the stitch
5. Drop the original stitch from your left knitting needle
6. Ktbl is a twisted knit stitch

Be sure to watch the video in this post to see ktbl in action!

How To ktbl (Knit Through Back Loop)

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Learn how to ktbl (knit through back loop) to create a twisted knit stitch for your next knitting pattern!

Active Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Difficulty Intermediate

Estimated Cost $0

Materials

• Yarn

Tools

• Knitting needles

Instructions

1. To ktbl, start with the yarn behind your work
2. Insert the right knitting needle into the BACK of the first stitch from right to left
3. Wrap the yarn around the tip of the right knitting needle
4. Pull the yarn through the stitch
5. Drop the original stitch from your left knitting needle
6. Ktbl is a twisted knit stitch

Notes

Watch the video to see how to ktbl in motion!

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Cassie May

Craft and Knitwear Designer at Little Red Window Design

Welcome to Little Red Window! I’m Cassie, a professional craft and knitwear designer working in the field for more than 10 years. I have a degree in Art History from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I've designed more than 300 separate knitting patterns, hundreds of craft projects, and I love to bring joy to your crafts and knitting with well-designed, easy to understand tutorials and patterns.

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