The original three booklets by Maria Erlbacher have been translated into English and amalgamated into one book, Twisted-Stitch Knitting, published by Schoolhouse Press. Photo by Matt Graves
Traveling stitches are featured in many textured patterns. The difference with twisted-stitch knitting is that all of the knit stitches are worked into the back of the loop, which twists the stitches, tightens them, and then raises them from the surface to produce beautifully succinct results. Every time I say “knit” when discussing twisted-stitch knitting, it is understood that I mean “knit into the back of the stitch.” Using a wool yarn that is firmly spun and plied is recommended.
To augment my “Twisted-Stitch Knitting” article and cowl design that appear in the premier issue of Farm & Fiber Knits, I offer this clinic describing several methods to work different traveling stitch situations.
Symbols and pictures
Once you are familiar with the chart symbols, you can follow both the charts and photographs to see the paths that the traveling stitches take. You will meet twisted stitches crossing over each other to the left or right, or twisted stitches crossing over purl stitches to the left or right, as well as twisted-stitch cables of varying widths. For more information about twisted-stitch charts, see “On Charts & Twisted-Stitch Knitting.”
The Twisted-Stitch Cowl by Meg Swansen in the premier issue of Farm & Fiber Knits showcases the textural beauty of twisted traveling stitches. Photo by Gale Zucker
A Useful Swatch
There are four basic methods to achieve a twisted stitch pair, or cross one stitch over another by changing their order on the needles. I found it worth the time to cast on a circular practice swatch and experiment to determine a favorite method. Generally speaking, I am a time-and-motion knitter, and I invariably choose the fastest path. However, in this instance, I seek the method that causes the least stitch distortion, even though it might take a bit more time.
Weigh your various results against the ease of execution in order to make your choice.
If you do not want to test all of the different methods, C or D are my faves for the least amount of stitch distortion.
Once you have chosen a technique, try your new skill on a small project such as one of the cowls in Farm & Fiber Knits, or a hat such as my Twisted-Stitch Cap, which includes shaping in the twisted-stitch motifs.
Four Methods to Work a Right Twist
Right Twist, Knit over Purl
A. Leave the 2 stitches on the left needle and work them out of order as follows: go between the stitches and knit into the back of the 2nd (knit) stitch. Bring wool to the front and purl the 1st stitch. Slip them both off the left needle.
B. Take the 2 stitches off the left needle and pick them up again in reverse order (with the knit stitch in front) and work.
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Traveling stitches are featured in many textured patterns. The difference with twisted-stitch knitting is that all of the knit stitches are worked into the back of the loop, which twists the stitches, tightens them, and then raises them from the surface to produce beautifully succinct results. Every time I say “knit” when discussing twisted-stitch knitting, it is understood that I mean “knit into the back of the stitch.” Using a wool yarn that is firmly spun and plied is recommended.
To augment my “Twisted-Stitch Knitting” article and cowl design that appear in the premier issue of Farm & Fiber Knits, I offer this clinic describing several methods to work different traveling stitch situations.
Symbols and pictures
Once you are familiar with the chart symbols, you can follow both the charts and photographs to see the paths that the traveling stitches take. You will meet twisted stitches crossing over each other to the left or right, or twisted stitches crossing over purl stitches to the left or right, as well as twisted-stitch cables of varying widths. For more information about twisted-stitch charts, see “On Charts & Twisted-Stitch Knitting.”
The Twisted-Stitch Cowl by Meg Swansen in the premier issue of Farm & Fiber Knits showcases the textural beauty of twisted traveling stitches. Photo by Gale Zucker
A Useful Swatch
There are four basic methods to achieve a twisted stitch pair, or cross one stitch over another by changing their order on the needles. I found it worth the time to cast on a circular practice swatch and experiment to determine a favorite method. Generally speaking, I am a time-and-motion knitter, and I invariably choose the fastest path. However, in this instance, I seek the method that causes the least stitch distortion, even though it might take a bit more time.
Weigh your various results against the ease of execution in order to make your choice.
If you do not want to test all of the different methods, C or D are my faves for the least amount of stitch distortion.
Once you have chosen a technique, try your new skill on a small project such as one of the cowls in Farm & Fiber Knits, or a hat such as my Twisted-Stitch Cap, which includes shaping in the twisted-stitch motifs.
Four Methods to Work a Right Twist
Right Twist, Knit over Purl
A. Leave the 2 stitches on the left needle and work them out of order as follows: go between the stitches and knit into the back of the 2nd (knit) stitch. Bring wool to the front and purl the 1st stitch. Slip them both off the left needle.
B. Take the 2 stitches off the left needle and pick them up again in reverse order (with the knit stitch in front) and work.[PAYWALL]
C. Transfer both stitches to the right needle. With the left needle, grab the purl stitch from behind and slide both stitches off the right needle—letting the knit stitch fall free for a moment. Pick up the knit stitch with the right needle, insert the left needle, and work each stitch.
D. Leave stitches on the left needle. With the right needle, grab the knit stitch from the front and slide both stitches off the left needle, letting the purl stitch fall free for a moment. Pick up the purl stitch (from under the working wool) onto the right needle, insert the left needle, and work each stitch.
Right Twist, Knit over Knit
Follow A, B, C, or D as above, but substitute a knit stitch for the purl stitch.
Four Methods to Work a Left Twist
Left Twist, Knit over Purl
A. Work stitches out of order on the left needle (a mean feat, this one): from behind insert the right needle between the 2 stitches.
Grab the near side of the purl stitch and yank it to the back. Purl into it (with help from the left needle), then knit the first stitch and slide both stitches off.
B. Take the 2 stitches off the left needle and pick them up again in reverse order—ducking under the working wool when picking up the purl stitch—and work.
C. Transfer both stitches to the right needle. With the left needle, grab the knit stitch from in front and slide both stitches off the right needle, letting the purl stitch fall free for a moment. Pick up the purl stitch from behind (and under the working wool) with the right needle. Put the stitch on the left needle and work.
D. Leave stitches on the left needle. From under the working wool, grab the purl stitch from behind and slip both stitches off the left needle.
Pick up the knit stitch with the left needle. Slip the purl stitch to the left needle and work.
Right Twist, Knit over Knit
Follow A, B, C, or D as above but substitute a knit stitch for the purl stitch. A is not such a bear; and in B, C, and D, there is no need to duck under working wool.
Final Thoughts
In your traveling twisted-stitch adventures, you may meet situations in which two knit stitches travel over purl stitches to the left or to the right, and there are cables of multiple knit stitches (or groups of knit and purl stitches) traveling left or right over knit or purl stitches.
Forward progress within this technique may be relatively slow, but the final reward is most gratifying.
For more information about Meg Swansen’s article “Twisted Stitch Knitting” and her cowl patterns, see the premier issue of Farm & Fiber Knits.
Meg Swansen (founder of Schoolhouse Press and Knitting Camp) is a prolific knitting designer, teacher, and author of several books, including Handknitting with Meg Swansen, Meg Swansen’s Knitting, A Gathering of Lace, and Knitting with Two Colors, as well as hundreds of magazine articles, plus dozens of instructional videos. Her innovative techniques, including the jogless jog and knitting back backwards, have become staples in modern knitting. Meg continues to knit and write from her one-room schoolhouse in Wisconsin. Please visit schoolhousepress.com for more information.
The Twisted-Stitch Cowl by Meg Swansen in the premier issue of Farm & Fiber Knits showcases the textural beauty of twisted traveling stitches. Photo by Gale Zucker 