Twisted stitch
A twisted stitch is a stitch knitted through the back loop instead of the front loop, causing the legs of the stitch to cross at the base.
Explanation
A twisted stitch occurs when you knit through the back loop (tbl) instead of the front loop, which crosses the legs of the stitch. This creates a tighter and less elastic fabric. While sometimes done intentionally for decorative patterns (like twisted ribbing), accidental twisted stitches can cause an uneven texture. To fix a twisted stitch, make sure you insert the needle from left to right through the front loop, or untwist the stitch on the needle before knitting it.
Also known as: ktbl, Twisted
Twisted on purpose and by accident
A twisted stitch happens when you work into the back loop instead of the front, or when the stitch sits the wrong way round on the needle. The result is a stitch that pulls tight and reads as an X rather than a V.
As an accident it is easy to recognize: the row is tighter than its neighbours and the fabric looks restless. As a deliberate technique, twisted stitches are used in twisted ribbing and many traditional patterns precisely because they give a denser, more defined line.
How it differs from a normal stitch
A normal stitch has both legs sitting openly around the needle. A twisted one has them crossed, which tightens the loop. That makes the fabric less elastic — which is why twisted ribbing is firmer than plain ribbing, and why a row of accidentally twisted stitches can leave a visible band across a garment.
Common mistakes
- Working into the back loop by accident, particularly after ripping back.
- Assuming tightness comes from knitting firmly when the real cause is twisted stitches.
Keywords
- twisted stitch
- how to fix twisted stitch
- twisted stitches
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell whether a stitch is twisted?
Look at the stitch below the needle. If the two legs sit smoothly side by side as a V, it is correct. If they cross at the base as an X, it is twisted.
Are twisted stitches always a mistake?
No. Twisted ribbing and many traditional texture patterns use them deliberately for a firmer, sharper line.