Wrong Side Confusion :)

How-to Questions
1

Hi all!

I am… well see it is confusing. I am a new knitter in a sense, but I learned to knit when I was 6, and I am now 17 and picking it up again :slight_smile:

My pattern, for a bag strap, says

Cast on 15 using the long tail cast on

  1. (WS) K3, P9, K3
  2. P3, K9, P3
  3. Same as step 1
  4. Same as step 2

My question is, how do I distinguish between the right and wrong side, and when I do, do I knit any differently? Do I knit backwards or something, like do I hold the needle with the stitches in my right hand instead of my left like normal?

Also, I always end up with 18 stitches after I only cast 15… Ahhhhh :slight_smile:

So this is why I didn’t knit after I was 6 :slight_smile:

Thanks in advance.

2

No, you don’t knit backwards. :teehee: When you are done with a row and the stitches are in your right hand you move that needle to your left hand and start over.

If you need to keep track of WS and RS rows you can write WS and RS next to each row as you do it (or before and you’ll what row are on.

What you are doing here though appears to be ribbing so you knit the knits and purl the purls. It doesn’t really matter which side you are on since it’s a repeat pattern. The backside of a purl is a knit and vice versa which is why it changes between the two rows of pattern

3

The pattern is telling you which row is the WS and which the RS - in this case, the even numbered rows are RS and the odd ones are WS. Just knit the rows as described. If you want to put a pin or something to mark the RS, you can do that to keep it straight.

sue

4

So I don’t have to hold the needles differently or anything, just knit and purl as normal and it will do it itself?

Sorry Im as new as they come :slight_smile:

btw I am knitting a hobo bag, but I am doing the strap and when I get home I will post the pattern :stuck_out_tongue:

5

Yep! Just keep switching the yarn to the other hand when you’ve done a row. Practice is the best thing to do and it will all make sense. :heart:

6

thanks for posting this question, kaylee. i’ve been struggling with the same question.

so is there truly a RS or WS or is it all just relative to where you’re at in the pattern?

sara

7

The RS is the one that’s facing out when it’s worn; the WS is facing in toward your body. Some patterns will be in rev Stockinette where the purl side is the RS. Garter stitch generally has no right or wrong side, though some patterns will give instructions for you to do something on the RS. You can decide which that is, or it might be that a RS needs to be designated for shaping or something. Most patterns will make some mention of which is the RS or WS of the garment.

sue

8

http://deliciousstitches.blogspot.com/2006/07/cabled-hobo-bag-pattern.html

it is a beautiful bag isn’t it? Does this make more sense regarding the (ws) and (rs)?

9

Yes, it does make more sense and in this case there IS a ws and rs. The rs is the cabled side. You will also be cabling the strap so you want to keep track of your rows (I use a paper sitting next to me) so you will always cable on the rs rows. The backside or ws is not pretty for cables. :wink:

10

good luck in your knitting I hope your bag looks wonderfull

11

Thanks guys :slight_smile:

12

Ohhh I love the bag good eye. I am doing cables for the first time and I have to say I love love love it. I wanted to practice so I was going to do a swatch but I have a very tiny dog and thought why not make it a bit longer and turn it into a sweater I did a plain one a while back. After this project I have many more cable patterns that I just have to do thinks for adding one more. lol

13

cabling is tough :frowning: I actually untwisted the cable by accident because it didnt look right lol

Im gonna try again cos I dont give up easily!

And YouCantBuyThisMovement:

if you do make the bag, post it for us to see!

GOOD LUCK ALL!