The right side is the face of your finished knitting
The right side is the side of your knitted fabric that faces outward when you wear or display the piece. It is the side you see in the finished sweater, scarf, or blanket. The wrong side is the back, which typically stays hidden. Most knitting patterns tell you which side to work on and which stitches create the right-side appearance you want.
Knowing which side is which matters because different stitches look different on each side. Stockinette stitch, the most common pattern, shows smooth V-shaped columns on the right side and bumpy horizontal ridges on the wrong side. Ribbed patterns, garter stitch, and textured stitches all have a "good" side that the pattern designer intended you to see.
Many knitters mark their right side with a safety pin or stitch marker clipped to the edge of their work so they do not lose track as they knit back and forth. This is especially helpful when you are working on a large project over several weeks.
Key Takeaways
- The right side is the front face of your finished piece; the wrong side is the back that stays hidden.
- Different stitches look intentionally different on each side, so your pattern will specify which side to work on.
- Stockinette stitch shows smooth V's on the right side and bumpy ridges on the wrong side.
- Marking your right side with a safety pin or stitch marker prevents confusion when you are working back and forth over many rows.
- Row numbers and stitch counts in your pattern assume you know which direction you are working and which side faces you.
How stockinette stitch reveals the right side
Stockinette stitch is made by knitting one row and purling the next row, repeating this pattern. When you knit a stitch, you create a bump on the back of the fabric. When you purl, you create a bump on the front. Alternating these stitches row by row produces the smooth V-pattern on one side and the bumpy ridge pattern on the other.
The smooth V side is the right side. This is the side you want facing outward on a sweater or the top of a blanket. The bumpy side is the wrong side. Once you recognize this pattern, you can glance at your work and when ready know which way you are facing, even if you have set the project down for a few days.
If your pattern says "knit on right-side rows" or "purl on wrong-side rows," it is giving you instructions for stockinette. You knit when the right side faces you and purl when the wrong side faces you. This creates the smooth V appearance on the right side automatically.
Marking your right side so you do not lose track
A safety pin or split-ring stitch marker clipped to the right edge of your work is a straightforward way to keep your bearings. Clip it to the right side of the fabric on your first row, then always check which side the marker is on before you start a new row. If the marker faces you, you are about to work a right-side row. If it faces away, you are about to work a wrong-side row.
This method works especially well for projects that take weeks to finish, because muscle memory fades and you may forget which side you were on. It also helps if you set your knitting down mid-row and come back to it later. A single glance at the marker tells you exactly where you are.
Some knitters use a yarn scrap tied through a stitch instead of a marker. The method does not matter as long as you can see it quickly and it stays in place. Avoid markers that slip easily or fall off, because they defeat the purpose.
Right side versus wrong side in different stitch patterns
Garter stitch, made by knitting every row, looks the same on both sides. There is no right side or wrong side in garter stitch — both sides show the same bumpy ridge pattern. This makes garter stitch useful when you want a reversible fabric, like a blanket that looks finished on both sides.
Ribbed patterns, made by alternating knit and purl stitches in the same row, also look similar on both sides, though one side may appear slightly more defined. Your pattern will tell you which side to treat as the right side if it matters for your project.
Textured stitches like seed stitch, cable patterns, and lace create very different appearances on each side. Some patterns are designed to show texture on the right side and a smoother back on the wrong side. Always check your pattern instructions to see which side the designer intended you to see.
How to tell right side from wrong side mid-project
If you have lost track of which side is which, look at your stitches. In stockinette, the smooth V side is the right side. Run your finger across the fabric — the smooth side feels flatter, and the bumpy side feels textured. The smooth side is always the right side in stockinette.
If you are working a pattern stitch, look at the stitch definition. Cables, for example, are designed to twist and stand out on the right side. On the wrong side, they appear flat or reversed. Lace patterns show clear holes and yarn-overs on the right side and a messier appearance on the wrong side.
When in doubt, hold your work up to the light and compare it to a photo of the finished project in your pattern. The right side will match the photo. This method works for any stitch pattern and takes only a few seconds.
Right-side and wrong-side rows in pattern instructions
Knitting patterns use shorthand to tell you which side you are working on. A pattern might say "RS row" (right-side row) or "WS row" (wrong-side row). This tells you which side of the fabric faces you as you work. It also tells you which stitches to use — in stockinette, you knit on RS rows and purl on WS rows.
Some patterns number rows and mark them as RS or WS. Row 1 is often a right-side row, and Row 2 is a wrong-side row. If you lose count, the RS and WS labels help you figure out which row you should be on next. This is especially useful in patterns with stitch changes or color work, where being on the wrong row can throw off your entire design.
If your pattern does not label rows, assume that odd-numbered rows are right-side rows and even-numbered rows are wrong-side rows. This is the standard convention in most knitting patterns.
Common mistakes when working right-side rows
The most common mistake is forgetting which side you are on and working the wrong stitches. In stockinette, this means knitting when you should purl or purling when you should knit. The result is a row that breaks the stockinette pattern and creates a visible line or texture change in your fabric.
Another mistake is turning your work the wrong direction. Some knitters turn their work from left to right instead of right to left, which reverses the direction of their stitches. This does not change which side is right or wrong, but it can confuse you about which row you are on. Always turn your work the same way every time — most knitters turn from right to left, moving the working yarn to the left side of the needle.
If you notice a mistake after a few rows, you can usually fix it by dropping down to the mistake row, correcting the stitch, and picking back up. This is faster than ripping out several rows. A crochet hook makes this easier — use it to catch the dropped stitch and pull it back up through the rows above it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am looking at the right side or wrong side of my knitting?
In stockinette stitch, the right side shows smooth V-shaped columns, and the wrong side shows bumpy horizontal ridges. The smooth side is the right side. For other stitches, check your pattern photo — the right side will match the finished project shown. You can also feel the difference: the right side is usually smoother and flatter.
Do I have to mark my right side with a safety pin?
No, but it helps. If you work on a project for only a few hours, you probably will not forget which side is which. For larger projects that take weeks or months, a marker saves time and prevents mistakes. You can also just look at your stitches to figure out which side you are on.
What if my pattern does not say which side is the right side?
Most patterns assume you know that stockinette has a smooth right side and a bumpy wrong side. If your pattern is unclear, compare your work to the finished photo. The side that matches the photo is the right side. If the pattern is for a reversible item like a blanket, both sides may be equally correct.
Can I knit a piece where both sides look the same?
Yes. Garter stitch, made by knitting every row, looks identical on both sides. Seed stitch and some reversible patterns also look the same on both sides. These stitches are useful when you want a finished look on both the front and back of your work.
What happens if I work the wrong stitches on a right-side row?
You will create a visible break in your pattern. In stockinette, working the wrong stitches creates a row that does not match the smooth V pattern. You can usually fix this by dropping down to that row with a crochet hook and correcting the stitch without ripping out your entire project.