What Knit One Below Does and When to Use It

Knit one below is a stitch that lets you pick up a loop from the row directly underneath your working needle and knit it together with your current stitch. The result is a single stitch that spans two rows, creating a thicker fabric or covering a mistake without unraveling. You use it most often to fix a dropped stitch one row down, to add texture in a deliberate pattern, or to tighten up a loose stitch that sits above it.

The stitch works because you are physically pulling yarn from a lower row up through your current row. This closes the gap and locks the tension. Unlike dropping back and picking up with a crochet hook — which takes time and risks snagging — knit one below happens on the needle itself, in the rhythm of your knitting.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit one below pulls the loop from the row directly below your working needle and knits it together with your current stitch in a single motion.
  • The stitch works best for fixing a loose or dropped stitch one row down without having to unravel your work.
  • You insert your needle under the stitch below, then through the stitch on your needle, and knit both together as one.
  • The finished stitch creates a thicker vertical line and is often used in texture patterns like brioche knitting or as a deliberate design element.

How to Perform Knit One Below Step by Step

Start with your working yarn and needles in the standard knitting position. You are about to knit a stitch, but instead of inserting your needle only through the stitch on your left needle, you will also catch the stitch one row below it.

Insert your right needle from left to right through the stitch on your left needle, the same way you would for a regular knit stitch. Now, before you wrap your yarn, slide your right needle down slightly and push it through the loop of the stitch directly below the one you just entered. Your needle now passes through two loops: the current stitch and the one underneath. Wrap your yarn around the needle and pull it through both loops at once. Slip the original stitch off your left needle. You have now completed one knit one below.

The motion takes practice to make smooth. Many knitters find it easier to angle their right needle slightly downward as they enter the lower stitch, rather than trying to thread it straight through. Your tension may feel loose at first — that is normal. The stitch tightens as you continue knitting the next row.

Using Knit One Below to Fix Mistakes

A dropped stitch one row down is the most common reason to use this technique. If you notice a loose or missing stitch in the row you just completed, you do not have to unravel. straightforward work across to the stitch above the gap, then perform a knit one below. The new stitch will anchor the loose loop and close the hole.

This method works only if the dropped stitch is directly below your current working position and you catch it before you move too far ahead. If you have already knitted several stitches past the problem, it is usually faster to use a crochet hook to pick up the dropped stitch from below, rather than unraveling back.

Knit One Below in Texture and Pattern Work

Brioche knitting relies heavily on knit one below as a core stitch. In brioche, you slip stitches with yarn over on one row, then knit one below on the next row to create a thick, elastic fabric with a distinctive vertical ridge. The stitch is also used in some cable patterns and textured designs where the maker wants a thicker line or a visual break in the fabric.

When knit one below appears in a pattern, the instructions will usually say "k1b" or "knit one below." Some patterns use it on every other row to build a specific texture; others use it sparingly as an accent. Always check your pattern notes to see whether the stitch is meant to be decorative or functional.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

The most frequent issue is pulling the lower stitch too tight, which distorts the row below and makes the fabric pucker. To avoid this, keep your tension loose as you wrap the yarn, and let the stitch settle naturally as you work the next few rows. If you have already created a tight spot, it usually relaxes as the fabric is worn and washed.

Another problem is accidentally splitting the yarn of the lower stitch instead of passing your needle cleanly through the loop. This happens when your needle angle is too steep or your yarn is thick. Slow down, angle your needle more horizontally, and push gently through the loop rather than stabbing. If you do split the yarn, the stitch will still hold, but the fabric will look rough at that point.

Some knitters find that knit one below leaves a visible horizontal line where the stitch spans two rows. This is the intended effect in brioche and texture work, but if you are using it only to fix a mistake, you may want to work a few rows before and after the repair in regular knit stitches to blend it in.

Knit One Below Versus Other Repair Methods

If you have a dropped stitch, you have three main options: unravel back to the stitch and pick it up with a crochet hook, use knit one below to anchor it from above, or leave it and tighten the stitches around it. Unraveling is the most thorough but takes the most time. Knit one below is faster and keeps you in rhythm. Tightening the surrounding stitches works only if the dropped stitch is very small and you catch it when ready.

For a loose stitch that has not dropped, knit one below is usually the best choice because it directly addresses the problem stitch without disturbing the rows around it. A crochet hook works too, but requires you to set down your needles and switch tools.

Practice Tips for Smooth Execution

Start by practicing on a swatch in a worsted-weight yarn, which is thick enough to see the loops clearly. Knit a few rows of stockinette stitch, then deliberately work a knit one below on the next row to see how it looks and feels. Do this several times until the motion becomes automatic.

Once you are comfortable, try it in a brioche pattern or a straightforward texture pattern that calls for it. Working the stitch in context — where it is supposed to be there — helps you understand how it should look and feel. Your hands will learn the rhythm faster than your mind can explain it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I knit one below on a purl row?

Yes. The stitch is called purl one below and works the same way: you insert your needle through the current stitch and the purl bump of the stitch one row below, then purl both together. The motion is identical to knit one below, just with a purl wrap instead of a knit wrap.

What if the stitch I need to knit one below into is twisted?

A twisted stitch will make your knit one below look uneven, but the stitch will still hold. If the twist is from a previous row, you can untwist it by inserting your needle through the back loop instead of the front. If you are creating the twist yourself, slow down and make sure you are entering the stitch from the correct direction.

Does knit one below make the fabric thicker?

Yes, noticeably. Because the stitch spans two rows instead of one, the fabric becomes denser and less stretchy. This is why brioche knitting, which uses knit one below throughout, produces such a thick, bouncy fabric. If you are using it only to fix a single stitch, the thickness will be visible but usually blends in after a few wears.

Can I knit one below if the stitch below is dropped or broken?

If the stitch below is completely gone, you cannot knit one below into it. You will need to use a crochet hook to pick up the dropped stitch first, or unravel back to that point. Knit one below only works if there is a loop to catch.

Is knit one below the same as a brioche stitch?

Knit one below is one part of a brioche stitch, but not the whole thing. True brioche knitting alternates between slipping stitches with a yarn over and then knitting one below on the next row. The combination creates the characteristic brioche look. Knit one below on its own is just a single stitch that spans two rows.