USING REVERSIBLE KNITTING STITCHES
There are thousands of different knitting stitch patterns available worldwide, but only a small proportion of these are reversible.
For many garments this is not an issue – few people look at the inside of a sweater, for example. However, there are quite a number of projects where both sides may be on show and it is in these situations when a reversible fabric would give a better result.
For many garments this is not an issue – few people look at the inside of a sweater, for example. However, there are quite a number of projects where both sides may be on show and it is in these situations when a reversible fabric would give a better result.
They call it the Wrong Side for a reason . . .
Have you ever worked for hours on a beautiful lace shawl only to find that sometimes the back of the fabric is showing? Or worse, have you sometimes draped it around your shoulders the wrong way around? It is in those moments that you see why knitters refer to the back as the "Wrong Side"....
However, it doesn't need to be that way. If a scarf or wrap is worked in a reversible stitch then both sides will look good, as can be seen in the Scottswood Stole shown here. This is also true for blankets, table runners, or any item where both sides will be on view. |
So what makes a good reversible stitch?
The essence of a reversible knitting stitch is that it must look good from either side.
Some stitches are what we call truly reversible and that is where both faces have a very similar appearance. Occasionally the direction of the design might be reversed on the wrong side so that the pattern slopes to the left instead of the right, or the pattern might be inverted on the back. However in all other senses they look the same on both sides.
Some stitches are what we call truly reversible and that is where both faces have a very similar appearance. Occasionally the direction of the design might be reversed on the wrong side so that the pattern slopes to the left instead of the right, or the pattern might be inverted on the back. However in all other senses they look the same on both sides.
That is the classical idea of a reversible stitch, but there is another category of pattern which is equally valuable – and that is where one side has a very different look to the other.
The patterns formed by these dual-sided stitches can be quite beautiful and surprising, with a distinctive effect on each side of the material. The photographs here show Peppercorn Rib from Chapter 1 of the book. This has two very different but complimentary sides – and this is the key to a really good reversible stitch. |
Uses for Reversible Stitches
As mentioned above, reversible stitches can be used for any items where both sides will be on show, such as table runners, placemats, scarves, wraps, blankets, towels and facecloths.
However, another really good use for a reversible stitch is for the neck-band of a cardigan or jacket, especially if it can be folded down to form a collar. If this has been worked in a reversible stitch then the collar can be worn either folded down or sitting a little more upright since it will look good both ways, as in the Hebden Gilet Jacket shown here. Turn-back cuffs on sweaters and socks also look best in a reversible stitch for the same reason – sometimes one side is on show and sometimes the other. |
Reversible Stitches and the lack of curl
There is another excellent reason for choosing to use reversible stitches – they almost always lie beautifully flat. This comes from a basic characteristic of knit and purl stitches, that the purl ‘bump’ tends to come forward and the smooth face of the knit stitch goes to the back. So if you have more knit stitches on one side than the other, as in Stocking Stitch, the fabric will tend to roll up into a tube.
However, reversible stitches tend to have a good distribution of knits and purls on both sides. It is, after all, what tends to make them reversible in the first place since they have patterning on both the front and the back of the fabric. However, it is this quality that enables most of them to be non-curling.
However, reversible stitches tend to have a good distribution of knits and purls on both sides. It is, after all, what tends to make them reversible in the first place since they have patterning on both the front and the back of the fabric. However, it is this quality that enables most of them to be non-curling.
Tromso Rug featuring
Rib & Garter Stitch |
Consequently, reversible stitches are especially valuable where it is important that the fabric does not bend, such as for a bedside rug where a non-curling finish reduces the risk of tripping and falling.
For example, the Tromso Rug shown here is worked in Rib & Garter Stitch from Chapter 5 of the book. This is a strongly textured pattern which not only looks most attractive but the rug also lies beautifully flat. Reversible stitches also give an improved appearance in many other situations, for example when used for the opening flap of a bag, a set of placemats or a long table runner. |
Further Information
For more information about the Reversible Knitting Stitches book,
please click here and here.
To purchase a copy of the book, then please visit my Etsy store.
If you have any queries, then please contact me.
please click here and here.
To purchase a copy of the book, then please visit my Etsy store.
If you have any queries, then please contact me.