Frogging Stockinette Stitch--which way do loops face?

#1

Ok, I had to frog a bunch of stitches on a stockinette piece because I put down my knitting in the middle of a row, then when I picked it up later I started knitting the wrong way!!! :rollseyes: So one side of the piece had two more rows than the others side.

I frogged back to the place where I made the mistake, but alas, I did NOT put anything in my knitting to hold my place. Now I need to re-insert the needles and I’m not sure which way the stitches “turn”. I’m on the right side (knit side) of the stockinette stitch. I think the little loops should turn to the right (my right) when I’m looking at the piece. Is this correct? I don’t want my knitting to look really weird if I have them going the wrong way. Or maybe this does not matter much. Does it?

TIA,

Patty

#2

It definitely will matter, if they are not the right way, they will be "twisted"and look wonky. I speak from experience. Inevitably I put them on the wrong way and I am so tickled not to have dropped stitches, I don’t worry about it until I start knitting again . As you knit you will be able to tell that they aren’t quite right and you just need to turn them the other way before you knit them.

I think that the stitch should sit as follows - the left side is back and the right side is forward - but lets defer to what the experts say…INGRID!!!

#3

I do what you do. Just get the stitches back on, breathe a sigh of relief, and adjust them as I come to them as I knit.

#4

But HOW will I know if they’re facing the wrong way??? Is it really that obvious? I’m a relatively new knitter…learned only about seven months ago. Maybe something that would be obvious to you would not be to me.

Patty

#5

It’s not really obvious when you look at them. When you put your needle in to knit, though, you can feel the difference. If there’s any doubt, the front ‘leg’ of the stitch should be a little to the right.

#6

I almost ALWAYS put them back on the wrong way, and Ingrid is right, you can usually tell when you put the needle in to knit them. It won’t feel right. Then you can just take it off, flip it around and then knit it and keep on going. I also agree… as long as you get them on, it is an easy fix if they are on the needle backwards.

#7

Wow, you ladies are FAST with your replies! Thanks so much. I think I can figure it out from all the help you’ve given me.

Patty :XX:

#8

I have found that when frogging and reinserting, that my loops are nearly always backwards… I just knit {or purl as the case may be} into the back loop or “fix” each loop as I come to it.

#9

When correctly on the left-hand needle, your stitches will slope from upper left to lower right.

#10

I seem to get my stitches on backwards also–I just turn them around when I get to them and knit them. So, you’re not alone.

Knitaholic