Purling back backwards tutorial

I’m working the knitted on border of my Aloha Shawlette for the Aloha knit-along. The border is 4 to 6 stitches wide, and it’s tedious to turn my work after every row. The solution? Purling back backwards. You can do it, too.

Edited to add: Some people call this knitting back backwards, or KBB. I’ve seen it referred to both ways. For me, what I think of as knitting back backwards would result in garter stitch. I’ve never done garter stitch with this non-turning technique, but it’s possible, too. I just haven’t needed it yet.

I’m almost done with the shawlette; this is a quick and easy knit! But it’s not to late to join the KAL. You can be part of the chat and prize drawings through my Ravelry group. I’ve just drawn the first prize winner; JBTCat will be getting these fishy stitch markers.

You can make stitch markers like these, too; check out my tutorial here.

There are a few more prizes in store, including yarn and a mystery fun thing. Come join the fun!

8 responses to “Purling back backwards tutorial”

Rachel | April 29, 2014 at 4:41 pm |

Thank you so much for this awesome video! (and the tutorial of DIY stitch markers.) I’d seen a tutorial on knitting (or purling) backwards before but the knitter was continental so I couldn’t translate it well. You make it look so easy (though I know it was with practice) that why should I ever purl the regular way again. I see both of these happening in my *very* near future!
- pdxknitterati | April 29, 2014 at 4:54 pm |
  
  I’m a pretty fast purler, so I wouldn’t do long rows this way, but definitely for short rows, yes. There’s a linked tutorial for stitch markers with bead cord and crimp beads, too, but my crimps aren’t always as secure as I’d like them to be…also, I was out of bead cord!
  
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Laura | April 29, 2014 at 6:17 pm |

Oh thank you for that. Have been playing around with it, but now it makes sense!
- pdxknitterati | April 30, 2014 at 2:38 pm |
  
  Makes you look at entrelac in a whole new way now, doesn’t it? 🙂
  
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Leslie Ross | April 30, 2014 at 8:15 pm |

This is brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing, Michelle!
Mary | April 30, 2014 at 8:56 pm |

Love this. Thanks! I’m not at the border of my Aloha yet, but I know this is going to help me a lot!
- pdxknitterati | May 1, 2014 at 12:43 am |
  
  Glad you like it! It really is so much easier than turning every tiny row. PS: Don’t forget to post a progress pic on Ravelry! Cute prizes…
  
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soknitsome | May 1, 2014 at 2:20 am |

This is super. Thanks for sharing.