Japanese Knitting Symbols

#1

Hello there, I tried so hard to knit these two symbols on the picture and couldn’t do it. I understand ktbl and ptbl and leaving two stitches on LN etc. but I can’t understand how they did it from the pictures provided. I have to

  1. “go in the back of the 1st stitch and purl the second one leaving it on LN and ktbl the 1st stitch and slip both together.” How do I go behind the 1st stitch and purl the 2nd? The pictures are confusing.
  2. "go in the front of the 1st stitch and ktbl the 2nd stitch and leave it on LN and then purl the 1st stitch and slip both stitches to RN.

The top of the picture is #1 and the bottom part is #2.

I spent so much time trying to look for an answer and trying to make it work and it doesn’t.

Can someone please help???

Symbol
Symbol1730×1020 222 KB

#2

Welcome to KH!
See if this video helps. It may not be exactly the same but the movement of the needle is similar. You may need to work the knit stitch tbl in order to get the twisted stitch that is shown in the diagrams.

The other way to work this is as a one over one cable cross either with or without a cable needle.

#3

Gosh, these are really fiddly twisted crosses! Most videos show how to do this by reorienting the stitches before working them. The pictures don’t really help do they!
So, for the first set ( left twist), you are starting the manoeuvre at the twisted knit column (it looks like a twisted knit cable on a reverse stocking stitch background? ) Your yarn will already be to the front. Insert your right needle purlwise into your second stitch on the left needle, approaching from behind the first stitch. Now, gently pull this loop to the right of the first stitch ( use your left finger tips on the left needle to stop the first 2 stitches flipping off the needle!) Then purl the loop ( which also stays on the left needle as it is still held there by the first stitch ). Make sure that you don’t also make a yarn over whilst purling.
The pictures don’t show this pulling step but you need to get the second stitch to the right of the first to stop the loops in front of the first stitch which are shown in step 2. Then knit the first stitch on the right needle tbl. You then drop both stitches off the left needle as both have been secured. You need to have a fairly firm tension in this manoeuvre as it can get a bit sloppy, or tighten up after you’ve dropped the left needle stitches.
The right twist is much easier! This time, you start the manoeuvre one stitch before the knit column. Move your yarn to the back. Knit the second stitch on the left needle tbl (keeping it on the needle and watch your tension isn’t too loose!) Then move your yarn forward and purl the first stitch on the needle and drop both.
Have a go on a swatch first!! The pictures are misleading. What a shame! Good luck - out makes a lovely pattern!

2 Likes
#4

Of you can’t face the left twist, you could also use this technique - same result, but simpler execution!!

1 Like
#5

I’ve tried these techniques on a swatch now and think the LPT without a cable needle video gives the best result! The manoeuvre I described in my first response gives the same result but there is greater distortion of the stitches and the fabric to the left of the twist is looser than if you reorient the stitches at the start.
I tried the manoeuvres from your picture and can’t see how they get from step 2 to step 3 without reorienting the stitches manually, which is not shown. Step 2 shows the first stitch being slipped to the right needle before purling the second stitch, but the picture in step 3 shows that the loop made by this purl is both to the right and behind the first stitch, which would not be the case if the purl loop was pulled through the first stitch, or if it was worked before the first stitch was passed back to the left needle. And what about those strands in front of the first stitch in the second picture?? How do they get to the back?
I have the Japanese stitch Bible. There are no pictures but the instruction for this symbol is to go behind the first stitch and purl the second, rather than to go through the first stitch.
I think there is an online / zoom class on Japanese stitches somewhere in the US. It was too early / late for me!!

1 Like
#6

Hello Everyone!!

Thank you so much for your responses. I can’t wait to sit down and try it. The Easter weekend with families was busy and long. Now I can do something for myself hahaha. Let’s see. I am going to watch the videos and try your methods. I hope this will work. I will let you both know.

Thank you again for getting back to me.

Aneta

1 Like
#7

Hello there! This video worked great!!! I just got exactly what I needed:) I am so happy! I just had to knit tbl when doing the one over one left purl cross. Just like you mentioned in your post.

Thank you so much!!!

2 Likes
#8

Great news! I hope we get to see a photo of the finished project. It sounds intriguing.

#9

Hi Mel,

This video is really good. I tried it on a swatch and it worked great! Now I have two methods I can use. One over one cable crosses and LPT/RPT. I like how easy this is to make.

I am going to do both methods on a swatch and I will compare the look of it.

Thank you for your time and such detailed explanation.

Aneta

2 Likes
#10

Good luck! I think Japanese stitch patterns are really lovely!

2 Likes
#11
1 Like