K1B Knitting: How To Knit One Below

Learn K1B knitting, also known as knit one below, with this easy step-by-step tutorial.

K1B is a knitting instruction that means you knit into the stitch below the next stitch on your left-hand needle.

It is often used in textured stitch patterns, ribbing variations, fisherman’s rib, brioche-style stitches, and other patterns where the stitch below creates extra depth and texture.

If you have seen K1B in a knitting pattern and wondered what it means, this guide will walk you through the technique slowly and clearly.

You’ll learn what K1B means, how to knit one below with a video tutorial to help you, when to use it, and how it compares to a regular knit stitch, P1B, and KTBL.

Quick Answer: What Does K1B Mean In Knitting?

K1B means knit one below.

Instead of knitting into the next stitch on the left-hand needle, you knit into the stitch directly below it.

This creates a textured stitch because you are working into the stitch from the row below.

K1B does not usually mean “knit through the back loop.” That is a different technique, often written as KTBL.

K1B At A Glance

Detail	Information
Abbreviation	K1B
Meaning	Knit one below
Type of stitch	Textured knit stitch
Worked into	The stitch below the next stitch
Commonly used in	Textured patterns, fisherman’s rib, brioche-style stitches, ribbing variations
Often confused with	KTBL
Main effect	Creates texture, depth, and stretch

Before You Start

Before learning K1B, it helps if you already know how to:

• Work the knit stitch
• Recognize the next stitch on the left-hand needle
• Identify the stitch directly below it
• Keep relaxed tension
• Read basic knitting abbreviations

K1B is a knit stitch technique, but instead of working into the first stitch on the left-hand needle in the usual way, you work into the stitch directly below it.

This knit below technique is easier to see on smooth yarn, especially if you are looking at a close-up tutorial or close-up instructions.

On the knit side, you will see the smooth V-shaped stitches.

On the wrong side, you will see purl bumps.

These two sides of the fabric can look very different, so make sure you are working into the correct stitch below.

What Is K1B In Knitting?

K1B is a knitting technique where you knit into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

In a regular knit stitch, you insert the right-hand needle into the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

With K1B, you insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below that next stitch, then work a knit stitch.

This creates a deeper, textured stitch and is often used in stitch patterns that need extra dimension, stretch, or a thicker fabric.

K1B Abbreviation

In knitting patterns, you may see this written as:

• K1B
• k1b
• Knit one below
• Knit 1 below
• Knit into the stitch below
• Knit into the stitch one row below
• Knit into the next stitch below

These usually refer to the same technique, but always check the pattern notes.

Some designers use slightly different wording, especially in textured stitch patterns, brioche-style patterns, or fisherman’s rib.

How To Knit One Below

To work K1B:

1. Keep the yarn at the back of your work, as you normally would for a knit stitch.
2. Look at the next stitch on the left-hand needle.
3. Find the stitch directly below that stitch.
4. Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below from front to back, as if to knit.
5. Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle.
6. Pull the yarn through the stitch below.
7. Let the original stitch above come off the left-hand needle as the new stitch is formed, unless your pattern tells you otherwise.

You have now worked one K1B stitch.

The new stitch has been created by knitting into the stitch below.

Video Tutorial: How To K1B

Watch the YouTube video tutorial to see how to knit one below, step by step.

This will show you how to find the stitch below, insert your right-hand needle, wrap the working yarn, and complete the K1B stitch.

Step-By-Step K1B Instructions

Here is the K1B stitch broken down more slowly.

Step 1: Keep the yarn at the back

K1B is worked as a knit stitch, so your yarn should be at the back of your work.

Hold the yarn as you normally would when knitting.

Step 2: Find the next stitch

Look at the next stitch on the left needle.

This is the stitch your pattern is referring to, but you will not knit directly into the top of it in the usual way.

Step 3: Find the stitch below

Look directly below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

You should see the stitch from the row below.

This is where you will insert your right-hand needle.

Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below

Insert the right needle, also called the working needle, into the stitch below as if you were going to knit.

This is the main trick with K1B: instead of knitting into the first stitch on the left-hand needle, you knit into the stitch from the previous row.

Move slowly so you do not split the yarn, catch the wrong strand, or accidentally work into the second stitch instead.

Step 5: Wrap the yarn

Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle as you would for a regular knit stitch.

Keep your tension relaxed.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through

Pull the wrapped yarn through the stitch below.

You should now have a new stitch on the right-hand needle.

Step 7: Complete the stitch

Let the original stitch above slide off the left-hand needle as the new stitch is formed, unless your pattern gives different instructions.

You have now worked one K1B stitch.

Easy Way To Remember K1B

A simple way to remember K1B is:

Knit into the stitch below.

You are still making a knit stitch, but instead of working into the stitch sitting on the needle, you work into the stitch directly underneath it.

What Does K1B Look Like?

K1B can make the worked stitch look deeper and more textured because it pulls up the stitch from the previous row.

You will often see this effect in fisherman’s rib stitch, brioche stitches, and brioche knitting, where working into the stitch below helps create a thicker, stretchier fabric.

On the next row, the texture becomes easier to see, especially if you gently stretch the fabric and look at both sides of the fabric.

K1B Vs Regular Knit Stitch

A regular knit stitch is worked into the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

K1B is worked into the stitch below the next stitch.

Stitch	Where You Insert The Needle	Finished Effect
Knit stitch	Into the next stitch on the left-hand needle	Regular knit stitch
K1B	Into the stitch below the next stitch	Textured stitch

If your pattern says K1B, do not work a regular knit stitch unless you are intentionally changing the texture.

K1B Vs P1B

K1B and P1B are related, but they are not the same.

• K1B means knit one below.
• P1B means purl one below.

K1B is worked as a knit stitch into the stitch below.

P1B is worked as a purl stitch into the stitch below.

Abbreviation	Meaning	How It Is Worked
K1B	Knit one below	Knit into the stitch below
P1B	Purl one below	Purl into the stitch below

These techniques may appear together in textured ribbing, fisherman’s rib, or brioche-style stitch patterns.

For the purl version of this technique, see the full P1B knitting tutorial.

K1B Vs KTBL

K1B and KTBL are different techniques.

• K1B means knit one below.
• KTBL means knit through the back loop.

With K1B, you knit into the stitch below the next stitch.

With KTBL, you knit into the back loop of the next stitch on the needle.

Abbreviation	Meaning	Where It Is Worked
K1B	Knit one below	Into the stitch below
KTBL	Knit through the back loop	Into the back loop of the next stitch

Both techniques can create texture, but they are not interchangeable unless you are intentionally changing the stitch pattern.

When Should You Use K1B?

Use K1B when your knitting pattern tells you to knit one below.

You may see K1B in:

• Textured stitch patterns
• Fisherman’s rib
• Half fisherman’s rib
• Brioche-style knitting
• Ribbing variations
• Scarves
• Headbands
• Hats
• Berets
• Sweaters
• Decorative stitch patterns

If your pattern includes K1B, the designer usually wants the texture created by working into the stitch below.

Can You Knit One Below In The First Row?

Usually, no.

K1B needs a stitch below the stitch on your needle, so it is normally worked after you already have at least one row of knitting.

If a pattern uses K1B, it will usually include setup rows before asking you to knit one below.

Always follow the pattern instructions, especially in textured stitch patterns or fisherman’s rib.

Is K1B Hard For Beginners?

K1B can feel a little confusing at first because you need to identify the stitch below the next stitch on the needle.

However, if you can knit and you can see your stitches clearly, you can learn K1B with practice.

The hardest part is usually finding the correct stitch below and not accidentally working into the wrong strand.

Use smooth yarn, relaxed tension, and a small practice swatch until the movement feels easier.

Common K1B Mistakes

Working a regular knit stitch instead

K1B is not the same as a normal knit stitch.

Make sure you insert the right-hand needle into the stitch below the next stitch, not into the next stitch itself.

Working into the wrong stitch below

Look carefully at the stitch directly below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

If you work into the wrong strand, the texture may look uneven.

Pulling too tightly

K1B can feel awkward if your tension is tight.

Keep your stitches relaxed so the right-hand needle can move into the stitch below more easily.

Confusing K1B with KTBL

K1B means knit one below.

KTBL means knit through the back loop.

They are different techniques and should not be substituted unless you are intentionally changing the stitch pattern.

Dropping the stitch incorrectly

In many K1B instructions, the stitch above is allowed to come off the left-hand needle as the new stitch is created.

Move slowly and check your pattern notes if the designer gives a specific instruction.

K1B Practice Swatch

If you are new to K1B, try practicing on a small swatch.

Cast on 20 stitches.

• Row 1: Knit all stitches.
• Row 2: Purl all stitches.
• Row 3: Knit 2, K1B to last 2 stitches, knit 2.
• Row 4: Purl all stitches.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 a few times.

This will help you practice identifying the stitch below and working K1B across a knit row.

For a textured rib practice swatch, try:

Cast on an even number of stitches.

• Row 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row.
• Row 2: *K1B, P1; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to practice knitting one below in a simple rib-style pattern.

K1B Knitting FAQs

What does K1B mean in knitting?

K1B means knit one below. It tells you to knit into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle.

How do you K1B in knitting?

To K1B, keep the yarn at the back, find the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, insert the right-hand needle into that stitch as if to knit, wrap the yarn, pull it through, and complete the stitch.

Is K1B the same as knit through the back loop?

No, K1B and KTBL are different. K1B means knit one below, while KTBL means knit through the back loop.

Is K1B an increase?

No, K1B is not usually an increase.

It is a textured stitch worked into the stitch below.

Does K1B increase stitches?

No, K1B does not usually increase your stitch count.

It changes where you work the knit stitch, but it normally keeps the stitch count the same.

What is the difference between K1B and P1B?

K1B means knit one below, while P1B means purl one below.

K1B is worked as a knit stitch, and P1B is worked as a purl stitch.

When do you use K1B?

Use K1B when your pattern asks you to knit one below.

It is often used in textured stitch patterns, fisherman’s rib, brioche-style ribbing, scarves, cowls, hats, and sweaters.

Can beginners learn K1B?

Yes, beginners can learn K1B if they already know how to knit.

It may feel confusing at first, but practicing on a small swatch can make it much easier.

More Knitting Tutorials

If you found this K1B knitting tutorial helpful, you may also like these knitting guides:

• P1B Knitting: How To Purl One Below
• KTBL Knitting: How To Knit Through The Back Loop
• PTBL Knitting: How To Purl Through The Back Loop
• How To Knit The Knit Stitch
• How To Purl
• Knit Vs Purl
• Knitting Abbreviations
• How To Read Knitting Patterns

K1B is a useful knitting technique to learn if you enjoy textured stitch patterns, ribbing variations, fisherman’s rib, or brioche-style knitting.

Once you understand that K1B simply means knit into the stitch below, the instruction becomes much easier to follow.

Watch the video tutorial above, practice slowly on a small swatch, and soon knitting one below will feel much less confusing.

Happy knitting!