how to tell wrong side of knitting

2 min read 14-01-2025

Knitting can seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, you'll be creating beautiful projects in no time. One of the first things new knitters need to learn is how to identify the right and wrong sides of their work. This seemingly simple skill is crucial for creating even stitches and achieving the desired look of your project. This guide will help you confidently distinguish the wrong side from the right side of your knitting.

Understanding the Right and Wrong Sides

The right side (RS), also known as the "front" or "fair side," is the side of your knitting that shows the neat, v-shaped stitches. It's the side you'll want facing outwards in your finished garment.

The wrong side (WS), also known as the "back" or "purl side," shows a series of bumps or horizontal lines. It's generally less visually appealing than the right side. Knowing how to identify the WS is important because many patterns instruct you to work specific rows on the WS.

Visual Clues to Identify the Wrong Side

Several visual clues can help you easily differentiate the wrong side from the right side:

1. The V-Shaped Stitches:

Right Side (RS): You'll see clearly defined V-shaped stitches. These Vs are consistent and neatly aligned.
Wrong Side (WS): The stitches appear as small bumps or horizontal lines, lacking the distinct V-shape. They may look a little messier and less organized.

2. The Stitch Pattern:

Right Side (RS): The stitch pattern (garter, stockinette, cable, etc.) will be clearly visible and defined. This is the side intended to be seen.
Wrong Side (WS): The stitch pattern will be less defined and often appear as a reverse of the RS pattern. For example, the wrong side of stockinette stitch looks like purl stitches.

3. Texture and Appearance:

Right Side (RS): Generally smoother and more even in texture.
Wrong Side (WS): Often has a slightly bumpy or textured appearance.

4. Feel:

Right Side (RS): The right side often feels smoother to the touch.
Wrong Side (WS): The wrong side might feel slightly rougher due to the horizontal nature of the stitches.

Common Knitting Stitches and their Wrong Sides

Let's examine how the wrong side looks for a few common knitting stitches:

Stockinette Stitch:

Right Side (RS): V-shaped knit stitches.
Wrong Side (WS): Horizontal rows of purl stitches. This is often referred to as the "purl side".

Garter Stitch:

Right Side (RS): All knit stitches.
Wrong Side (WS): All knit stitches. Garter stitch is unique because both sides look the same.

Purl Stitch:

Right Side (RS): Horizontal rows of purl stitches.
Wrong Side (WS): Horizontal rows of purl stitches. Similar to Garter stitch, both sides are identical.

Tips for Identifying the Wrong Side

Start with a small swatch: Practice identifying the RS and WS on a small swatch of knitting before starting a larger project.
Refer to your pattern: Most patterns will clearly indicate when to work on the RS or WS.
Pay attention to the stitch definition: The clarity of the stitch pattern is a great indicator.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Learning to identify the RS and WS takes practice. Don't worry if you make mistakes; it's part of the learning process.

By understanding these visual and tactile cues, you'll quickly learn to confidently distinguish the right side from the wrong side of your knitting. This will greatly improve your knitting skills and help you create stunning projects. Happy knitting!