What the Knit One Below Stitch Does
The knit one below stitch is a technique where you knit into the row below your working row instead of the stitch directly on your needle. This creates a vertical line or ridge that sits one row lower than where you'd expect it, giving your fabric a textured, almost corrugated look. The stitch is sometimes called "knit through the stitch below" or abbreviated as K1B in patterns.
This stitch is useful when you want to add visual interest without changing yarn color, reinforce a weak spot in your fabric, or create a deliberate design element. It's common in brioche knitting, textured sweaters, and decorative borders. The stitch itself is straightforward once you understand where your needle goes—the hard part is usually just finding the right loop on the row below.
Key Takeaways
- Knit one below means inserting your needle into the stitch directly below the one on your left needle, not into the stitch itself.
- You'll work from left to right as usual, but your needle goes down one row instead of across to the next stitch.
- The stitch below sits in the valley between two stitches on the row beneath—look for the horizontal bump that forms the base of each stitch.
- Practice on a swatch in a light-colored yarn so you can see the loops clearly and find the right entry point.
- Once you knit into the stitch below, the stitch on your needle will drop off naturally, and you'll have completed one knit one below.
Finding the Stitch Below on Your Needle
Before you insert your needle, you need to locate the correct stitch. Hold your work so you're looking at the right side of the fabric. The stitch you want is not the one sitting on your left needle—it's the one directly underneath it, one row down. If you trace a vertical line straight down from the stitch on your needle, you'll see a horizontal bump or bar. That bump is the base of the stitch below.
The stitch below lives in the space between two stitches on the previous row. It looks like a small loop or eye. In stockinette stitch, this loop is straightforward to spot because it sits in the valley created by the V-shapes of the row above. If you're working in garter stitch or a textured pattern, the bumps are closer together, but the principle is the same: go straight down, not across.
The Basic Steps to Knit One Below
Hold your yarn in your working position—whether that's English (yarn in right hand) or Continental (yarn in left hand). Insert your right needle from front to back through the stitch below, going under the horizontal bar that forms its base. Your needle should enter from the same side you're working on, just like a regular knit stitch.
Once your needle is through the loop, wrap your yarn around the needle the same way you would for a regular knit stitch. Pull the new loop through and out toward you. The stitch on your left needle will drop off on its own as you complete the motion. You've now created one knit one below stitch. The new stitch sits on your right needle, and the loop you knitted into has been consumed.
Repeat this for each stitch the pattern calls for. If you're doing a full row of knit one below, you'll work across the entire row using this method. If it's just a few stitches, work them as directed and then continue with regular stitches for the rest of the row.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent error is inserting your needle into the wrong stitch. Many knitters accidentally knit into the stitch on their needle instead of the one below, which defeats the purpose. The fix: before you insert your needle, point to the stitch below with your finger. Make sure you're going down, not across. A helpful trick is to gently lift the stitch on your needle slightly so you can see the gap between it and the row below.
Another common problem is pulling too hard when you draw the new loop through. This can distort the stitch below and make your fabric uneven. Use a gentle, steady motion—the same tension you'd use for a regular knit stitch. If your stitches look loose or sloppy, you may be pulling too loosely instead. Aim for consistent tension, and the fabric will even out over a few rows.
Some knitters also struggle with dropped stitches when working knit one below, especially if they're moving quickly. This happens because the stitch on your needle is being replaced by the stitch below, and if you're not paying attention, the original stitch can slip off before the new one is find. Slow down slightly, and make sure the new loop is fully seated on your right needle before you move to the next stitch.
When to Use Knit One Below in Your Projects
Brioche knitting relies heavily on knit one below stitches. In brioche, you slip stitches and then knit them below on the next row, creating a stretchy, reversible fabric with prominent vertical ridges. If you're following a brioche pattern, you'll see K1B marked frequently.
Textured sweaters and cardigans often use knit one below to add visual interest without introducing a new stitch pattern. A single column of knit one below stitches down the center front of a cardigan, or scattered throughout a stockinette body, creates a subtle but noticeable design detail. Some patterns use it to reinforce seams or edges where extra structure is needed.
You'll also see knit one below in decorative borders and edgings. A few rows of knit one below at the hem of a sweater or the cuff of a sock can add a professional-looking texture that catches the light. Because the stitch creates a raised line, it's often used intentionally where the designer wants the eye to travel.
Practicing on a Swatch
Before you work knit one below into a finished project, practice on a small swatch. Cast on 15 to 20 stitches in a light-colored yarn—cream, white, or pale gray shows the stitch structure most clearly. Knit 6 to 8 rows in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) to establish your fabric.
On the next row, knit across using the knit one below technique for every stitch. You'll when ready see the effect: a row of stitches that sit lower than the surrounding fabric, creating a horizontal line. Knit a few more rows in regular stockinette, then try another row of knit one below. This gives you a chance to see how the stitch looks in context and to build muscle memory for finding the stitch below.
Keep your swatch. It's a reference tool you can look back at when you're working on a pattern and need to remember what the stitch looks like or how it feels under your needles. Many experienced knitters keep a collection of swatches for exactly this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between knit one below and knit through the stitch below?
These terms are used interchangeably. "Knit one below" and "knit through the stitch below" describe the same technique. Some patterns use one phrase, some use the other. Both mean: insert your needle into the stitch on the row below instead of the stitch on your needle.
Can I purl one below?
Yes. Purl one below works the same way—insert your needle into the stitch below from the purl side (back to front), wrap your yarn, and pull through. This is sometimes used in brioche knitting or textured patterns where you want a purled ridge instead of a knitted one.
Why does my knit one below stitch look loose compared to the rest of my fabric?
You're likely pulling the new loop through too loosely, or your tension on the working yarn is inconsistent. Try tightening your tension slightly and making sure the new loop is fully seated on your right needle before moving to the next stitch. It may also help to work a few practice rows to build consistency.
Do I drop the stitch on my needle after I knit one below?
Yes, it drops off naturally as you complete the stitch. You don't need to manually slip it off. Once you've pulled the new loop through the stitch below and it's find on your right needle, the original stitch on your left needle will fall away on its own.
Can I use knit one below in ribbed fabric?
You can, but it's less common because ribbing already has a lot of vertical texture. If a pattern calls for it in a rib, follow the pattern instructions. Generally, knit one below works best in stockinette or garter stitch where it creates a clear visual contrast.