Are you looking to expand your knitting skills? Knit 1 Below Stitch is an easy-to-learn variation of the knit stitch. All you need is your favorite knitting needles and yarn to get started. With a small step, the stitch adds to any simple project's texture and visual interest. Here, you work the knit stitch, but it's different from what you've taught in your first lesson, which is to go row-by-row or round-by-round, but in a row or round below the current row/round you are in. This simple step enhances the look of the stitch and the knitted fabric. To help you get to know everything about how to knit 1 below stitch, we'll walk you through the steps and the effects of the interesting stitch technique. With Lantern Moon, expand your crafting repertoire.
Understanding the Knit One Below Stitch
The Knit One Below stitch is innovative and easy to tweak your regular knitting pattern. Abbreviated as K1B or k1b, it is found in knitting patterns to make lace designs, or ribs and other textures. Instead of knitting in the same row or round, you knit a stitch below the active stitch. This step results in a beautiful texture in the patterns. The knitting instruction commonly works in the Fishermen's Rib Stitch pattern—a vintage textured pattern that enhances the look of knitted sweaters. Lace knitting patterns also use the stitch technique to make aesthetic holes in the fabric.
Generally, knitting a stitch below the active row or round results in an unraveled stitch. And, if you continue this for a row or round, you will have a mess. But when carefully planned and properly executed, it is a simple yet fantastic way to enhance the knitted fabric. You can work the stitch in one row or round below the active stitch and up to three or four rows/ rounds below it.
What You'll Need
The stitch technique works with any of your knitting needles and accessories. If you are knitting back and forth a scarf or making a sweater on a pair of single-pointed needles or circulars, you can work the stitch without any change. Similarly, for knitting in rounds, if you are working on a hat with double-pointed needles, choose the magic loop technique, or knit in rounds with circular needles, continue with your project. There is no need to change the knitting needle sizes.
Also, for yarn, there is no special requirement; you need to continue with the stitch pattern. If you are working on a swatch, make sure to choose two colors which results in an interesting texture.
How to Knit the Knit 1 Below Stitch
To look at the steps of knit1 below stitch, first prepare your practice swatch. Then, choose the knitting needles and yarn of your choice. You can also follow a knitting pattern.
Setup Rows: Start with a slip knot and cast on the required number of stitches for your project using the method you're comfortable with. For example, start with 15-20 stitches. You can work with both odd and even number of stitches. Work a few rows or rounds in a basic stitch pattern like garter (all rows of knit) stitch or stockinette (alternate rows of knit and purl) stitch.
Begin the K1B Stitch: Once you get to the stitch you want to knit below, spot the stitch that you'll work into.
Insert your working knitting needle into the stitch. Wrap the yarn around the right needle as if to knit and draw a loop through the stitch below.
Slip the old stitch off the left needle. You’ve knit 1 below. You can also knit 2 or 3 below but have to carefully balance the pattern so that stitches don’t get awry.
You can continue the pattern by altering it with regular knit stitches.
Advanced Techniques with Knit One Below Stitch
K1B has many interesting effects. You need to
Textures: K1B is a beautiful way to add texture to your knitting projects. The ribbed or ridged effect is attractive and functional, adding extra stretchiness, especially for a hat or sweater neckline.
Colorwork: Playing with colors in your knitting patterns gets interesting with knit one below stitches. With the simple stitch pattern, you can create wonderful colorwork.
Design: By knitting below a stitch, you can create interesting designs in your fabric. Adding to the depth of stitches, it makes certain areas more prominent.
Increasing or Decreasing Stitches: In some patterns, knitting below a stitch can be used as a decrease or increase technique to change the number of stitches in a row.
Overall, knitting below a stitch is a versatile technique that can be used to achieve various effects in your knitting projects. Similar to the knit one below the stitch, there’s purl one below stitch.
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