How to Knit Through the Back of the Loop

What knitting through the back of the loop means and when to use it

Knitting through the back of the loop (often called TBL or through back loop) means inserting your needle into the back leg of the stitch instead of the front leg where you normally knit. This twists the stitch on the needle and changes how it sits on your fabric. The result is a stitch that looks slightly different—often tighter and with a subtle spiral effect—compared to a standard knit stitch.

You use this technique when a pattern calls for it by name, or when you want to tighten loose stitches, create a textured effect, or prevent your edges from looking sloppy. Many patterns ask you to knit through the back loop on the first or last stitch of a row to make selvage edges (the side edges of your knitting) neater and more finished-looking. Some stitch patterns, like brioche knitting or certain cable variations, rely on TBL stitches as part of their structure.

Key Takeaways

Knitting through the back of the loop means inserting your needle into the rear leg of the stitch instead of the front, which twists the stitch slightly.
The most common use is on the first or last stitch of a row to create a cleaner, tighter edge that looks more professional.
To do it, identify the two legs of the stitch on your needle, insert from right to left through the back leg, and knit as normal.
Loose stitches or edges can be tightened by working through the back loop, though this takes practice to keep tension even.

How to identify the front and back legs of a stitch

Before you can knit through the back loop, you need to see which part is which. Look at a stitch sitting on your left needle. Each stitch has two visible legs—one that faces toward you (the front) and one that faces away (the back). The front leg is the one you normally insert your needle through when you knit. It sits in front of the needle shaft and is the more obvious of the two.

The back leg is the one wrapped around the back of the needle shaft. If you turn your needle slightly or look from the side, you can see it clearly. On a standard knit stitch, the front leg is usually slightly higher or more prominent. Once you can spot both legs on a few stitches, you will find it much easier to deliberately choose which one to enter.

Step-by-step: How to knit through the back loop

Start with your working yarn in the back (as you would for a normal knit stitch) and your left needle holding the stitches. Locate the stitch you want to work through the back loop. Instead of inserting your right needle from left to right through the front leg, insert it from left to right through the back leg of that stitch. The motion is the same as a regular knit stitch—you are just entering from a different angle.

Once your needle is through the back leg, wrap your working yarn around the right needle and pull the new stitch through, just as you would for a regular knit. Slip the old stitch off the left needle. The new stitch will sit on your right needle slightly twisted compared to a normal knit stitch. This twist is what gives TBL stitches their characteristic appearance and tightness.

If you are working an entire row through the back loop, repeat this for every stitch. If you are only doing it on edge stitches, work the first stitch TBL, knit the middle stitches normally, and work the last stitch TBL. Many knitters find it helpful to say "back loop" out loud as a reminder when they are learning, so they do not accidentally slip into the habit of knitting through the front.

Why knitting through the back loop tightens stitches

When you knit through the back loop, the stitch twists as it forms. This twist creates a stitch that is slightly shorter and sits more snugly on the needle than a standard knit stitch. If your edges are loose or your tension is uneven, working the edge stitches through the back loop can visibly tighten them and make your finished piece look more polished.

However, be aware that if you knit TBL too tightly or with uneven tension, those stitches can become difficult to work into on the next row. Practice keeping your tension consistent—the stitch should feel snug but not strangled. Many knitters find that working only the first and last stitch of each row through the back loop gives them the edge tightness they want without making the whole fabric harder to work with.

Common patterns that use knit through the back loop

Brioche knitting is one of the most well-known techniques that relies heavily on TBL stitches. In brioche, you knit through the back loop of the yarn overs from the previous row, which creates the signature brioche texture—a fabric that looks like interlocking loops and is very stretchy and reversible.

Many edge treatments call for TBL stitches on the first and last stitch of every row. Garter stitch edges, stockinette edges, and ribbed edges all benefit from this treatment. Some lace patterns use TBL stitches to tighten decreases or to create specific stitch definitions. Always check your pattern instructions—if it says "knit through back loop" or shows "TBL" in the abbreviation list, that is your signal to use this technique for those stitches.

Troubleshooting twisted or uneven edges

If your TBL stitches look twisted or lumpy, the most likely cause is inconsistent tension. The stitch itself is supposed to look slightly twisted—that is normal—but it should not look dramatically different from the stitches next to it. If it does, try relaxing your grip slightly on the working yarn as you wrap it around the needle for a TBL stitch. You may be pulling too tightly.

Another common issue is accidentally working through the front loop when you meant to work through the back. This happens most often when you are tired or working quickly. Slow down, look at the stitch, and confirm you are entering the back leg before you wrap the yarn. If you realize you made a mistake after the fact, you can drop the stitch back and redo it, or leave it and note it for next time—one twisted stitch in the middle of a row is usually not noticeable in the finished piece.

When to skip knit through the back loop

Not every pattern uses TBL stitches, and not every situation calls for them. If your pattern does not mention it, do not add it on your own unless you have a specific reason (like tightening a loose edge). Adding TBL stitches where they are not called for can change the fabric structure and make your finished piece look different from the intended design.

If you are a beginner and still building your basic knit stitch, focus on getting comfortable with standard knitting first. TBL is a useful tool, but it is not essential to learn right away. Once your tension is even and your stitches are consistent, adding TBL techniques will be much easier and more effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is knitting through the back loop the same as twisting a stitch?

Not exactly. Twisting a stitch usually refers to the result—the stitch looks twisted. Knitting through the back loop is the method that creates that twist. Some patterns ask you to twist a stitch by working TBL, while others might ask you to twist by crossing stitches or using other techniques. Always follow what your pattern says.

Can I purl through the back loop too?

Yes. Purling through the back loop works the same way—you insert your needle through the back leg of the stitch instead of the front. This is less common than knit TBL, but some patterns do call for it. The motion is identical to a regular purl, just entering from the back leg instead of the front.

Will knitting through the back loop make my fabric smaller?

If you work every stitch TBL, yes, your fabric will be slightly tighter and smaller than if you worked the same pattern with regular knit stitches. If you only work edge stitches TBL (as many patterns do), the difference is minimal and mostly affects how the edges look, not the overall size.

What if I cannot see the back leg clearly?

Try tilting your needle or turning your work slightly so the light hits it differently. The back leg is always there—it is just sometimes hard to see depending on your angle and lighting. Using a stitch marker or a contrasting yarn color on the stitch you are about to work can also help you focus on the right part of the stitch.

Do I need special needles to knit through the back loop?

No. Any needles you already own will work. The technique is purely about where you insert the needle, not about the needles themselves. Bamboo, metal, plastic, straight, circular, or double-pointed needles all work equally well for TBL stitches.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.