Learn right and left leaning twisted stitches
Twisted Stitches allow sinuous, single stitches to travel across knitted surfaces, levitating above a background of garter, stockinette or reverse stockinette. Of course, you can work these tiny 2-stitch cables just as you would any other cable, but it’s so much quicker and easier (and much more fun!) to work them like this! No need for a cable needle or any other tool, just one neat, elegant technique. Let’s explore this simple method and add it to your Knitter’s Tool Kit.
Let’s take a look!
Easy Directional Twists
Also known as Traveling Stitches, Twisted Stitches are worked as left and right leaning. A simple technical shift creates the direction the twist will take. You can use them to create Herringbone patterns (as in the Lucca pullover) or as tiny serpentine cables over garter stitch (as in the Octavia Wrap) plus many more applications. See how I’ve used Twisted Stitches to finish the X-shaped stars in my King’s Lynn Gansey?
Right Twist
You’ll often find this twist expressed as you would a cable: 1/1RT or 1 over 1 right twist. It works like this:
- Knit 2 stitches together without removing them from needle, knit the first stitch again, then remove both stitches from needle.
Left Twist
This twist is expressed as 1/1 LT or 1 over 1 left twist. It works like this:
- With the right needle behind the left, enter the second stitch on the left needle through the back loop and knit it. Without removing the stitch from needle, knit the first stitch on left needle through the front loop as you normally would, then remove both stitches from needle.
Use twisted stitches to create beautiful herringbone patterns as in the Lucca Pullover pattern.
Troubleshoot
- Twisted Stitches can be a little counter-intuitive. If you’re unsure, try laying in a lifeline! Just thread a length of waste yarn through your live stitches on the needle before proceeding. If you need to rip back, your stitches will be safe and sound on the waste yarn. Watch for my Lifeline Tutorial coming in October!
- Not sure you’re getting it right? Try working a couple of twists with a cable needle to remind you of the mechanics.
- Remember, they lean! This will affect your row gauge, so be sure to swatch before using Twisted Stitches in other patterns and applications.
Have fun!
