Quick and easy tutorial on how to knit through the back loop (KTBL)

Quick and easy tutorial on how to knit through the back loop, with each step written with instructions and photos. 

[Start of image description: A photo of a pair of knitting needles with stitches cast on in a purple yarn, with the right hand needle through the back of the stitch on the left hand needle. On the top is a white rectangle at the top of the photo "Tutorial" Underneath is a sage green square with two white stripes and the words "How to knit through the back loop (KTBL)". End of image description.]

How to knit through the back loop (KTBL)

I had a few of you ask how to do these so I thought I'd do a quick and easy guide for you to follow.  This will also come in handy for this month's new stitch - caterpillar stitch vertical.  I find knitting through the back loop quite easy as I had learnt how to knit through the back loop before I learnt how to do purl stitches.

[Start of image description: a photo of a purple knitted caterpillar stitch vertical square. On top of the photo is a white rectangle with the words "What's that stitch?".  Underneath is a sage green rectangle with the words "caterpillar stitch vertical". To do caterpillar stitch vertical cast on multiples of 5. End of image description.]

1. Knit to where your pattern has knit through the back loop or knit to where you would like to knit through the back loop.

[Start of image description: a wooden table with two knitting needles with stitches cast on in purple. Stopped about half way through the row. End of image description.]

2. Grab the stitch at the back instead of at the front like you usually do when knitting.

[Start of image description: a wooden table with two knitting needles with stitches cast on in purple, the right hand knitting needle is through the back of a stitch on the left hand needle. End of image description.]

3. Put the yarn around the needle similar to like you do when you go to do a knit stitch.

[Start of image description: a wooden table with two knitting needles with stitches cast on in purple, the right hand knitting needle is through the back of a stitch on the left hand needle with yarn wrapped around the left hand needle to knit the stitch. End of image description.]

4. Slide the stitch off the needle onto the other needle, the same as knitting a knit stitch. 

[Start of image description: a wooden table with two knitting needles with stitches cast on in purple, the right hand knitting needle is through the back of a stitch on the left hand needle and yarn has been wrapped around the left hand needle and the stitch is being slipped off the knitting needle. End of image description.]

5. You have now finished knitting through the back loop and can finish the rest of the row as the pattern states or as you wish if your not using a pattern. 

[Start of image description: a wooden table with a piece of knitting where all of the stitches have been knitted on a knitting needle. Arjaye's finger is pointing to the stitch that was knitted through the back of the loop. End of image description.]

When might you knit through the back loop?

Here are a few times you might knit through the back loop:

• Stitch patterns.
• When knitting rib on cuffs as it makes it neater (also called twisted rib).
• When increasing by knitting through the front loop and the back loop.

Stitches that use this pattern

• Caterpillar Stitch Vertical 

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[Start of image description: At the top is a photo of a wooden table with two knitting needles with stitches cast on in purple, the right hand knitting needle is through the back of a stitch on the left hand needle. In the middle is a sage green rectangle with a white border with the words "how to knit through the back loop (KTBL)". Underneath is a photo of a wooden table with two knitting needles with stitches cast on in purple. Stopped about half way through the row. End of image description.]

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hope you find these guides helpful, if you get stuck on any of the steps please leave a comment below or contact me so I can help you.

[Start of image description: Arjaye's signature with two toadstools in between the letter j and the letter y. Next to it is a fairy with blue hair, a green wreath headband, blue lips and yellow wigs, she is wearing a sage green dress. The fairy sitting on top of a yellow toadstool with blue dots and blue underneath the toadstool. Next to the fairy is a black cat holding a turquoise ball of yarn. End of image description.]

Related posts

• Caterpillar Stitch Vertical
• Purl through the back loop (PTBL