I started this blog because I got frustrated at the lack of comprehensive and easily accessible knitting tutorials for lefties who knit in the combined continental style. Yes, for those of us who do just about everything ‘backwards’ from ‘normal’ knitting, help is somewhat scattered about. It’s taken years, but I’ve just about got it cracked. So here are a few knitting photo tutorials for those of you who, like me, do it ‘backwards’.
Casting on using the long tail cast on method
Knitting in the combined, continental style
Right and left slanting decreases
Knitting in the round (without twisting stitches)
Want to see something in particular? Leave a comment and I’ll try to help!
I made this! 
Hi, my mum is fairly new to knitting and is left handed. She’s trying to knit in the round but we cannot figure out how you join the round using 4 needles (3 needles and 1 to knit with). All the tutorials we’ve found are for right handed people and just don’t work for my mum, they make it look so easy and it’s just not happening for her. It’s getting very frustrating! Any help would be very much appreciated!
Hi Gemma,
I can appreciate your mum’s frustration – it can be really difficult to try and reverse right-handed instructionsso they make sense for a lefty.
A lefty knitting in the round with 4 needles (three for the stitches and one to knit with) will have the stitches distributed across the three needles. Needle one will be furthest right and usually be where you started casting on. Needle two will be in the middle of the cast on stitches. And needle three will contain the last set of stitches and will be where your working yarn is. The best way to arrange the needles is to create a triangle where the last cast on stitch on needle 3 (where the working yarn is) is next to the first cast on stitch on needle 1. Make sure all the little bumps are on the bottom of the needles (which means all the loops are facing upwards) and nothing is twisted around in a weird way.
To join the stitches, you will need to use the working yarn on the left needle to create a stitch in the very first stitch on the right needle. Hold the working yarn in whichever hand you usually use (I knit continental, so hold it in the right hand) and knit a stitch into the first stitch you cast on on needle 1. Continue knitting, passing stitches from the right needles the left, going round and round and round. You might want to place a marker where that first cast on stitch was, so you know where your round starts.
It’s probably much easier to understand if I get a photo, so I will try and take a photo and post it in the next day or so. Hope this helps some.
Thank you for replying :). I had a look at the needles yesterday, we put them into the triangle, the one with the working yarn was on the left for her. When knitting using the free needle, it still wouldn’t join up, the knitting stayed on the 3 separate needles.
Hi Gemma,
I’ve put up another photo tutorial – hope this helps make it clearer how to join the stitches.
I’ve looked at explanations and photos all over the internet and am still uncertain “how” I knit. I’m seriously left handed (left side dominant in everything), so the working needle is in my left hand, moving the loops from right to left. I learned to knit into the back loop many, many years ago and then wrap the yarn with my left hand–behind the needle and through the center. To purl the needle goes through the front and I wrap the yarn under the needle and around through the center. I never drop the yarn or release the needle and it goes pretty quick. Any clues to “how” I knit?
Hi Gayle,
From what you’ve described, it sounds like you knit regular English style, but left-handed. The English style is because you’re holding the working yarn in your left hand. And the ‘regular’ as opposed to combined is because you describe knitting into the back of the stitch as opposed to the leading leg. Hope this helps!
Thanks so much. I love that you’ve addressed the obvious problems facing lefties (complete with photos). I’m self taught because my mother couldn’t teach me (she was a rightie) and at the time, all the “how to” books were for righties as well (gosh I feel old – I’ve been knitting and crocheting for about 47 years!). How then would my knitting through the back loop all the time affect the left and right leaning decreases? Should I do something different? I appreciate all your help.
Thanks Gayle – it’s really nice to know that it’s helping someone.
My understanding is that when knitting through the back loop as a leftie (for anyone else reading, that would look like this photo: https://jenibrown.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/insertneedleintofrontstitch.png, but on 2 needles instead of 4), you don’t need to change anything if reading written instructions. The reason for this is explained in more detail in my response to the first comment on this page: https://jenibrown.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/right-and-left-slanting-decreases-for-lefties/ Note that if you’re reading from a chart, you’ll need to understand which way to create a left or right slanting decrease for your style of knitting. For more traditional lefty knitters (like you Gayle), a k2tog will lean left, while a ssk or skpsso will lean right. It’s always a good idea to do a small swatch with a right slanting decrease on the left side and a left slanting decrease on the right side (when viewing the right side of the fabric) to make sure your stitches head in the directions you think they should! then write down what you did for future reference.
Thanks so much! You’re right! I DO knit English style, but have you ever run into anyone who makes all knit stitches into the back of the loop. I understand it’s intended to be a more decorative stitch (I ran across it when I started knitting socks–Ktbl for the heels). Since I knit into the back of the loop ALL the time, is there a variation that I can use to make the tbl look as it should? Maybe knit into the front leg? Also, I LOVED the info about increases and decreases. I now see the necessity of switching them as I just started a scarf pattern that has both SSK and K2tog. By switching them, everything slants the proper way! I’ll never avoid a more challenging pattern again! Your website is a treasure trove of helpful information! Love it, love it!
Hi Gayle,
Apologies – I think when I read your last post, I misunderstood what you said. If you are knitting through the back loop (which normally means not the leading leg of the stitch), you would normally end up with a twisted knit stitch. Is this what happens to you? I read your comment to mean you were still knitting into the leading leg of the stitch, but inserting the needle underneath, rather than straight through the stitch. It all gets very difficult to describe in words only – perhaps you can send a photo? I’m curious!
Yes, I DO knit through the back of the loop instead of the leading leg. At the age of about 10 I was having problems with tension and my mom sent me to the lady next door who showed me how to slide the needle into the back leg of the loop, thereby solving my tension problem. It worked. And I never really thought about my stitches being twisted–I guess they are. 🙂 BTW, I finished the scarf I was making, and all my stitches slanted the correct way! Thanks so much.
That makes sense then. Since all your stitches are twisted, they are all tbl stitches. But if it works for you and you love your finished garments, that’s the main thing. Glad to hear your scarf is done and you were able to get all the slants heading in the right direction.
Hi, I started an afghan for my son that had a K1, knit below the next stitch, K1 pattern and it just didn’t look right. I realized I couldn’t fight it anymore. I re-taught myself to knit into the front leg of the loop and the pattern worked beautifully. While I like the ease of knitting into the back of the loop, it’s frustrating when patterns don’t turn out as they should. If knitting into the front leg of the loop will make it possible for patterns to look right every time, I’ll keep doing it. Old dogs CAN learn new tricks!
Congrats on re-learning – it’s not easy when you’re used to doing things one way to totally change. Hopefully you’ll find even more of your knitting turns out as you expect it as a result!
would really like to find a left handed sock pattern ,???????????
I’ve never come across a pattern written specifically for left-handers, but some of the groups on Ravelry might be able to point you in the right direction. Check out the On the Other Hand group as a starting point.
I haven’t seen a pattern written out for left-handed people, but I’ve come across quite a few patterns that are charted out, so if you know how to do your increases and decreases in the correct direction, and have no problem reading from charts, they should work for you. There are some free sock patterns at knitpicks.com – the patterns are charted, but the cuff, heel, and toe are written. Cookie A also charts her sock patterns, but again, the cuff, heel, and toe are written.
HI I KNIT LEFT HANDED HOW WOULD I LEFTHANDED PERSON READ THE DIRECTIONS WHEN A PATTERN IS FOR NUMBERS AND LETTERS IM DOING A DISHCLOTH WITH A DESIGN AND LETTERS AND NUMBERS THE PATTERN CAME OUT RIGHT THE PICTURE BUT ALLO THE LETTERS ARE BACKWARDS LIKE FOR INSTANCE 4TH WHEN I DID IT IT WAS HT4
INSTEAD OF 4TH AND THE 4 WENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND WAS BACKWARDS PLEASE EMAIL ME THANKS PATRICIA
You would need to reverse the directions in order to get the letters and numbers to read correctly. So for example, if the pattern reads k5, p2, k3, p1, k5, you would need to read it (or knit it) as k5, p1, k3, p2, k5
Hope this helps.
IM LEFTHANDED AND WHEN I INCREAse i just put the yarn over what is hte proper way to increase when you need to increase when knitting and purling hope you can help thanks sinceely patty
There are lots of different ways to make an increase – yarn over is one way, but it leaves a hole, so is usually only good for lacy patterns.
See KnittingHelp.com for a list of different types of increases and videos for each. It is written for right-handers, so you’ll need to mentally swap the steps around for left-handed use. I’ll try and do some tutorials on this in the future, but my hands are still pretty full with the newborn right now, so it won’t be soon.
Hope this helps.
WHEN YOU ORDER PATTERNS FOR ISNTANCE DISHCLOTHS FORM INTENRET SITES
THAT ARE WRITTEN HOW WOULD YOU READ THE DIRECTIONS FORM RIGHT TO LEFT OR LEFT OT RIGHT IN ORDER FOR PICTURE TO TURN OUT OR DO YOU JUST READ AND DO FORM LEFT TO RIGHT
If there is a directional design on the pattern (letters, for instance), you need to reverse the written instructions. If there is a chart, just follow the chart from left to right.
If there is no directional design (it’s flat colour, or symmetrical), you can safely read everything as written.
Hope that helps!
THANKS FOR RESPONDING TO ME APPRECIATE IT
SO YOU ARE SAYING IF LEFTIE IS DOING WORDS LETTERS ETC YOU READ ALLOF THEM LEFT TO RIGHT LIKE ROW 1 OU WOULDNT READ IT FORM RIGHT TO LEFT AND BOTTOM TO TOP SO EVERYTHING WOULD BE READ ON THE LEFT UP TILL THE TOP
SO ALSO YOU ARE SAYING IF NOT A LETTTER YOU WOULD READ THE DIRECTIONS AS IS I BOUGHT A BUNCH OF KNITTED DISHCLOTHS FORM PEOLE WITH A DESIGN ON IT AND THE HORSE OR WHATEVER WAS GOING TO THE LEFT ISNTEAD OF THE RIGHT EXCUSE THE WRITING ETC AS KEYBOARD SKIPPING AORUND AND NOT ELTING ME TYPE CORECTY PLEASE EMAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW AND THANKS AGAIN
AS I OBUGHT A BUNMCH OF KNITTED DESIGNS IN DISHCLOTH AND
How you read the pattern depends on whether it is written out or follows a chart. If it is written out (as most patterns are) – for example, k10, p2, k5, etc – you will need to reverse each line in order for the pattern to make sense. So in that example, you would have to do k5, p2, k10. Since patterns are written for right-handed people, it helps to keep in mind they are always knitting right to left, not left to right like a leftie does. So you need to reverse instructions to get the same results.
If you have a chart, you would read the 1st row (usually the bottom of the chart grid) from left to right. (Right handed people read it right to left, as that’s the direction they are knitting in). On the second row (usually the purl row) you would read right to left. On the 3rd row, you are back to reading left to right.
Hope this makes sense, but please let me know if you’re still uncertain.
can you offer any help on how to work with two colors at once, and run the “unused” color up the side of the work for a left handed knitter? thanks
Hi Michelle – not sure what you’re referring to. Are you talking about doing stripes or about doing different colourwork (like a pattern)?
First let me thank you so much for your response. I am really lost on this and have been for about a week now. The instructions in my Boye book say carrying color is for patterns and for striping: “when working stripes and some color patterns, it is best to carry the colors not in use loosely up the side of the work until needed again, instead of cutting and re-joining colors… as colors are carried up side of work it is necessary to twist them each time they meet at edge of fabric. To twist colors, simply bring color not in use under color in use and out to front of work, then up and over color in use (colors now twisted).” Well, I’ve tried following this every way I can imagine, but even though I am getting the right color stitches in the right position, I have these runs of unused color lines ruining both sides of my work. I have the second ball of yarn tied into the first close to the needle, and are holding both strands separately in my left hand. The lines don’t get twisted from the yarn balls, but I’m getting straight lines across my knitting. I really can’t see how to use two colors at once, unless it creates a double loop on the needle? but even then, it really doesn’t work. Hope I haven’t made this more confusing.
If I understand correctly, you are carrying the ‘unused’ colour across the rows? Say for example you were doing a black and white striped piece, with a black stripe 5 rows tall, then a white stripe 5 rows tall – are you saying that when you are knitting the black row, you are carrying the white yarn back and forth as you knit the black row, leaving stripes of white where it shouldn’t be? If this isn’t what you were describing, please let me know.
In any case, what the instructions you quote are describing is the following. Say you start your piece with black yarn and knit 5 rows. Then you start the 6th row with a ball of white yarn. When you start with the white yarn, you leave the black yarn connected to the first 5 rows (so you don’t cut the yarn but leave it hanging) and work the first white row using the white yarn only. At the end of the 2nd row of white yarn, you’ll be back to where you finished with the black yarn and left it hanging. At this point you would twist the white and black wool together with a single twist at the edge of your work before again leaving the black yarn hanging and continuing with the white yarn.
In this example, your white yarn row will end on a different side from where you black yarn row ended (because there are an odd number of rows). Personally, I would then add another ball of black yarn on this side, rather than trying to carry the black yarn across the back of the work – although this is also possible. Twisting colours together is done in the middle of rows as well (particularly for pattern work), and usually happens every few stitches. But I don’t think this is what you’re describing, so let’s not confuse matters further!
I hope this makes some sense, but if I’ve misunderstood the problem or anything is not clear, just let me know!
THANKS FOR RESPONDING BACK TO ME IN 2012 JUST GOT FLUSTRATED FOR A YEAR AS MY NIECE
GOT MARRIED AND WAN TED TO PUT HER NAME ON A DISHCLOTH ETC AND BOUGHT THE DISH CLOTH DIRECTIONS
FROM A WEBSITE AND THE LETTERS WERE ALL WRONG ETC YOU ARE VERY HONEST SO IF YOU ARE READING FROM A CHART DOING LIKE A CHICAGO CUBS LOG WITH IS HTE LETTER C T PLEASE EMAIL ME THANKS SICNERLY PATTYOR A NAME FORM A CHART YOU WOULD READ ROW ONE ON THE CHART FORM RIGHT TO LEFT AND THEN ROW 2 FORM LEFT TO RIGHT STARTING AT BOTTTOM OF CHAR CORRECT IN ORDR FOR A LEFT HANDED PERSON LETTERS TO COME OUT RIGHT OR WOULD YOU STILL DO ROW 1 AND 2 UP TO TOP STARTING AT BOTTOM BUT READ ALL THE ROWS FORM BOTTON TO TOP OF THE CHART FORM LEFTSIDE THANKS SINCERELY PATTY
THANKS FOR REPLYING IM READING FROM A CHART SO YOU ARE SAYING I WOULD READE ROW ONE FROM LEFT SIDE AND WRITE OUT ISNTRUCTIONS THEN ROW 2 WOULD BE READ FORM RIGHT SIDE RIGHT OR NOT? AND IF I READ INSTRUCIONS THAT ARE WRITEEN I WOYEARS NOONE CANT TELL ME HOW TO DO NAMES ETCULD JSUT REVERSE THE ROWS IN EACH LINE RIGHT? WHAT ABOUT MAKING A CHART ALSO I WOULD WRITE UP THE DIRECTIONS JUST AS I DO THEM RIGHT ALSO IM TRYING TO MAKE MY DAUGHTER HER NAME
ON A KNITTED DISHCLOTH MAYBE WITH A DESIGN ON TOP HER NAME IS ANN
WOULD I STILL HALF TO FIGURE OUT THE GAUGE OR NOT? HOW TO FIGURE OUT THE GAUGE IS CONFUSING FOR ME MAYBE YOU KNOW AN EASIER WAY SO GLAD YOU ARE THERE
FOR ALL LEFTIES AS IVE BEEN TRYING FOR A LONG TIME AND MY AUGHTER ANN TRIED
TO GET BOOKS ETC FOR ME WITH CHARTS ETC BUT NOTHING OUT THERE SHE SAID MOM
YOU ARE RIGHT THERE ISNT NOTHING FOR LEFTIES AND I GET TIRES FOR 2 YEARS
NOW AND EVERYONE SAYS JUST LEARN TO KNIT RIGHT HANDED I THINK THAT IS TERRIBLE ANYWAYS THANKS SO MUCH HOPE TO EHAR FORM YA SOON SINCERELY PATTY
Hi Patty,
Yes, I think you’ve got it. If you are reading a chart, the first row (row 1) is ready from the left side. And row 2 is read from the right side.
If it helps, you could certainly read the chart and write out the instructions to follow. Charts can be confusing as well because you have to keep your eye on which row in the grid you’re following. I use a post-it note to cover up rows I’ve already completed, so I don’t get confused.
And you’re also right – if you’re reading instructions written for right-handed people, just reverse every row.
You would still need to figure out the gauge. The easiest way is to use the yarn recommended by the pattern, but if you want to use something different, just look for something with a similar row/stitch count listed on the label. It doesn’t have to be exact, just close. Then knit yourself a swatch at the size of the gauge and check if it’s the same size. So if it says 20 stitches and 18 rows on size 8 needles, try that first and measure to see if your swatch is the same size (usually 4in x 4in but check the pattern). If it’s too small, try bigger needles. If too big, try smaller needles.
Remember that when doing the gauge, most of the time you’re just doing stockinette stitch (knit on odd rows and purl on even rows) unless the pattern says otherwise. So you don’t need to add in the name or other design when doing the swatch.
Hope this helps.
FINALLY GOT MY CHART DONE AND I UNDERSTAND IT SO FAR BUT THE SQUARE I AM MAKING HAS A DESIGN IN IT BUT THEN ON ROWS 4AND 5 ONE ODD ROW AND ONE EVEN ROW HAS NOTHING ON THOSE 2 ROWS AS THE PATTERN STOPS THEN PICKS UP AFTER THOSE 2 ROWS HOW SHOULD YOU WORK IT AS DOING IN STOCKINETTE SURE HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME WHICH I KNOW YA CAN
AS SO FAR EVERYTHING IS COMING OUT EXCEPT THOSE 2 ROWS AS DONT WNAT TO ATTEMPT IT
TIL I KNOW FOR SURE I KNOW ODD ROWS ARE READ RIGHT TO LEFT AND EVEN ROWS READ RIGHT TO LEFT BUT THESE 2 ROWS HAS A SPACE IN FOR DESIGN ISNT SQUISHED SO DONT KNOW IF I SHOULD JSUT KNIT THOSE 2 ROWS OR WHAT COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME ITS ROWS 4AND 5
WHICH IS ONE ODD ROW AND ONE EVEN ROW THEN PATTERN STARTS UP AGAIN HOPE YA CAN HELP ME PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU CAN AND HOPE TO EHAR FORMYOU SOON AS THIS IS DRIVNG ME NUTS
Hi Patricia, if there is nothing on rows 4 and 5, you would knit those rows as stockinette stitch. Generally that would mean row 4 is purl and row 5 is knit, but follow the rest of the work to ensure it looks even.
Hope this helps!
ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU WHEN DOING ROW 1 RIGHT TO LEFT AND THEN ROW 2 FORM LEFT TO RIGHT DOING THE WAY NORMAL PEOPLE CHART AND FOR US LEFTIES
IM CHARTING MY DAUGHTERS NAME AND DESIGN ISNT ROW 1 REALLY THE SAME AS ROW 2
AS YOU ARE THEN JSUT TURNING THE PATTERN FORM 1 ROW THEN GOING OT ROW 2 AND JSUT MAKING THE KNIT STITCHE INTO PURLS OR VICE VERA THEN JUST WNAT TO CLARRIFY THIS
AND BELIEVE YOU SAID I WOULD READ HTE DIRECTIONS IF IM READING THE WAY LEFT HANDED PEOPLE WOULD YOU WOULD READ ODD ROWS 1-? FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THEN EVEN ROWS RIGHT TO LEFT AND THE RIGHT SIDE ROW WOULD BE WHAT? AND LETTTERS NAMES THAT YOU ARE DOING
WOULD BE READ LEFT TO RIGHT THEN RIGHT TO LEFT FOR IN ORDER FOR IT TO OCME OUT RIGHT
PLEASE EMAIL ME JSUT WANT TO MAKE SURE AS
WITH WHAT YOU HELPED BE OUT WITH BEFORE SO I WILL BE DOING ALSO THE PATTERN THEM
AND THEN WANT TO CLARIFY IT FOR USRE I ALREADY DID THE BEGINNING JUST WNAT IT TO BE
RIGHT SO IF YOU COULD EMAIL ME I WOULD APRRECIATE IT AND THANKS YOU FORM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but you seem to have it correct. The second row would normally be purls (assuming the first row was all knit). If the letters are formed by using a different colour, the design is probably in stockinette, so all odd rows will be knit and all even rows purl. If the design is formed by changing stitch (for example, if the letters are in purl and the rest in knit), you would reverse this on the second row (or backside) of the knitting. So the purled letters (on row 1) would become knit stitches on row 2. Hope this makes sense!
And yes, you do read the pattern left to right on row 1
On row 2, you read right to left.
Hi I’m super new to knitting and I’m a lefty. For some reason I just don’t understand what to do with the last stitch on a needle before you start another row. Can you please help?
Hi! You don’t need to do anything special to the last stitch – just knit or purl it as you have all the other stitches. Then turn your work and start the next row. Some patterns may specify that you do something different with the last stitch (such as knit it when all other stitches have been purls, or slip it) – but if you just follow the instructions as written you should be fine. Are you having unexpected results or does it just seem odd when you get to that last stitch?
Hi again doing a butterfly then after that above it is a name and I chatted it out
Like a right hand person does. And I’m also writing out the instructions to
Like a right person and when I KNITTED the butterfly from my CHART and
Written out instructions I started reading the ROWS backwards and butterfly came out good
But now when I did the name its backwards
My ODD ROWS on right for
Butterfly is the XS are the are the KNIT STITCHES
And BLANK SQUARES ARE the PURLED
And all even ROWS are KNITTED
Except for the border STITCHES which are KNIT 4 at each end
How would you do the name as its not coming out right
Butterfly came out right but name isn’t hope ya can help please email me if you can
Hard being left handed knitter thanks
Hi Pat, I’m not entirely clear about what you did when you wrote out the instructions, but I’m assuming when you do the name, it’s backwards (like you’re looking in a mirror)? If so, it’s because you wrote out the instructions as a right-hander and/or knit the chart as a right-hander.
When you wrote out the chart, was the name the correct way around? If so, I would use the chart (rather than written instructions) to knit from. Remember that as a left-hander, you knit rows from left to right, so you should follow your chart left to right on odd rows, then right to left on even rows. (of course, if knitting in the round, just read left to right all the time)
Does this answer your question? Or have I misunderstood what you did?
OK I did my CHART and put a butterfly on it then a name
Above it and butterfly came out right then I did the name
But when I get to name on the cloth its backwards
And all my ENEN ROWS are KNITTED should I be PURLING
All those ROWS I wrote out the instructions like a right handed person
But read them backwards for the butterfly would be in the right direction
So then thought I had it right and did name reading left to right and it came out
Now today butterfly comes out right but name is on opposite side all I can think o!f right now is reading CHART and instructions from the left butterfly and name
But do you think I should be PURLING the even ROWS in order for butterfly and name to come out as haven’t tried that
Also I did this morning the XS the design and name as a left handed person would do only thing I think of maybe I should be PURLING as right handed people would be doing the return ROW in all knits forgot to tell ya yhis
Also forgot tried different ways and then the name came out right so did the butterfly and then started name and name was on the opposite side and not backwards but the butterfly was on the opposite
Hi Pat,
In most cases, you would knit all odd rows and purl all even rows, regardless of whether you’re left or right handed.
I have been assuming your butterfly and name are in different colours, but perhaps this isn’t the case? Are the butterfly and name made by using purl stitches while the background is knit? If so, my advice might be different.
If you are using different colours to make the name and butterfly, then changing your knit stitches to purl stitches won’t help. Whether left or right handed, you should knit or purl as instructed in the pattern or chart. The only difference for handedness is made on which direction to read written or charted instructions. If you are happy to read the chart, that is the most sure-fire way to get the right result. Just remember to read your odd rows left to right (and as written, so don’t swap knit for purl) and your even rows right to left (again, as written – don’t swap purl for knit)
Hope this helps.
Jeni
Jeni no they are the same color
Hi no tried last night bdidnt come out right the butterfly and name are the same color
On the chart l the X are KNIT and dots are PURLED on even side ROWS the xss are the design and the dots are the purl then on ODD ROWS then non even ROWS they are all KNIT just as a right handed person would CHART and then I read them backwards and the XS on even ROWS the design are KNIT STITCHES this is driving me nuts I bought dishcloth designs and figured out that I ad to read them backwards and they have come out right and had picture and letters
I do the first row on right ROW pattern ROW I’ll call it then on 2 n ROW of numbers on left side
And just KNIT all those STITCHES then I read them backwards as that is how I half to
Do other peoples PATTERNS read each line backwards think I tried reading all the ROWS left to right
Unless I’m CHARTING the design wrong but don’t think so as I read he butterfly part and read backwards and it came out right but the name isn’t unless I should change the XS cknit STITCHES
Into purls on the design
Ook Jen read everything left to right according to CHART butterfly came out and now name is on the right side the name Ann butterfly and name came out and read left to right but the ais on the right and 2ns are at the left they are not backwards like upside down but reads n n a
Then after I did the butterfly a did two rows KNIT then a purl ROW then started the name Ann
But between butterfly and Ann is a line that looks like purls then the name starts the right way I mean right side of fabric but name reads n n a and doing left to right like left handed person
Jen now I just did like a right hand person butterfly is right but name is on the other side of fabric
And I’m reading this time right side reading right to left and the butterfly and name are on opposite sides but name is right I need both designs on the same side I KNIT right to left my STITCHES are on the right needle and I’m putting them on the left needle and yarn is on right side if vthis matters what do ya call this continental just curious the name is actually the right side so maybe I should change the butterfly STITCHES from purl to KNIT stitches
Hi Pat,
If I understand correctly, you’ve managed to make the name read correctly (a n n) but the butterfly is appearing on the wrong side of the fabric (the opposite side from the name)? So, for example, the name is correct and done in purl stitches by the butterfly is appearing in knit stitches? Is this correct?
If so, then yes – you just need to switch your knits to purls for the butterfly.
If I’ve misunderstood, then perhaps you could send me your chart to look at, as it’s hard to figure out what’s wrong from written descriptions sometimes.
Jeni I am very appreciative of your help I’ve reversed the directions read
The directions backwards like a right handed person then I did just from the CHART reading left to right etc etc name is not upside down just reads nna instead of Ann
I’ve purchased directions with picture and lettering on it about a year ago
And just read their directions backwards and both picture and letters come out
Right but this is driving me crazy tried doing the butterfly differently and name
But no luck I have no problem doing CHART or written instructions how a right handed person would do I just don’t understand anymore want to make this for my daughter
So bad could I send you the directions really all I would half to do is send ya just a few rows of butterfly as you would see the pattern and the name directions also
Have you ever charted out a picture and also a letter or name on the same cloth
I KNIT right to left and hold my yarn in right hand what style is this of KNITTING
I bring my STITCHES from right to left when I start out and this is my front side and then on the next row is the backside of my fabric
One question also after the butterfly I do a few KNIT ROWS and then a purl ROW then a KNIT ROW then start the name would this be right
If I can have your email I would send you the directions you have my email so if that’s OK I will wait for an email from ya so I can send to you
I’ve been showing my family for years now how to crochet and taught them just to reverse and they are all right handed taught myself to KNIT from library books
And not the internet either anyways hope to hear from you soon thanks so much
Its me again all my ODD ROWS like a right handed person charts and writes out directions is the backside of my fknitting and even ROWS are all my ROWS that you just KNIT across so my pattern ROWS are ODD NUMBERS then I just read their directions I mean mine backwards as trying everytging
Jeni,
First off, thanks for your blog. It has been extremely helpful so far, and I hope to be knitting as well as you someday! I’ve attempted learning to knit several times over the years and I always finally gave up after trying to make sense of things. I also found crocheting was a bit more forgiving so had gravitated to that.
On to my question, I was curious about cast off or bind off methods you use (not sure of the correct term for this) to end a project. I’ve only been knitting for about a week and have the knit and purl down now, so looking to expand my repertoire and actually make something, but realized I hadn’t seen anything about finishing a project.
Thanks again,
Debi
Hi Debi, unless a pattern specifically asks for something else, binding off is usually done as follows:
1. knit 2 stitches on the final row
2. Use your right needle to pick up the first stitch you knit and move it over the second stitch and off the needle. You’ll now have one stitch on the needle. (You might think of this as hanging the first stitch around the second stitch’s neck)
3. Repeat this process until you have one final stitch left.
4. Cut your yarn/wool with a short tail (I usually do about 2 in/5 cm) and pull that tail through the centre of the final stitch, which creates a knot at the end of your work.
Hope this helps but let me know if anything is unclear.
I am trying to learn to use 2 circular needles to make an infants hat. I’ve done socks using 2 circulars but completely forget how I did it. Can you possible explain, for lefties, how to use 2 circulars or show me a link to a tutorial where there might be instructions. Thank you so much.
Hi Elaine, I’m not familiar with using 2 circular needles to make something, but if you can provide a link to the pattern, I’ll see if I can help!
HI: Thanks for replying. The pattern is for a small baby’s hat knit in the round. I will try the magic loop method and see if I understand how to do that. Unfortunately, I knit with my left hand and mostly all the instructions are for right-handed knitters. That’s where I find the difficulty. I’ve looked up instructions for left-handed knitters, but they are few and far between.
Thanks again.
Hi. So i knit left handed with the yarn in my right hand. I just figured that when i knit stockinette i twist the stitches. Some reason if i knit through back loop it doesnt twist. Is there a reason i have to do that. Or is it a leftie thing
Hi Kylasandra, it all has to do with how the stitches are oriented on the needle. So if it doesn’t twist when you knit through the back loop, then that’s the correct way to knit for you. You can change it, if you want to, but I don’t see why you should unless it’s causing you problems. It doesn’t just happen to lefties (but probably happens to lefties more often, due to the lack of instructions out there that cater for lefties – so we are more likely to orient stitches differently when learning). Does it cause you problems you need to solve?