What Is TBL In Knitting? (Knit Through The Back Loop)

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In this blog post, you will find answers to the question, what is TBL in knitting? (knit through the back loop).

One knitting technique is the TBL (through the back loop) method, which involves inserting the needle into the back of the stitch instead of the front of the stitch. 

This creates a unique texture and is commonly used for ribbing, twisted stitch patterns, cables, and other decorative patterns. 

You will learn step-by-step how to TBL in knitting to add this technique to your knitting skills.

Scroll down for the step-by-step instructions.

What Is TBL In Knitting? (Knit Through The Back Loop)

What Is TBL In Knitting?

In knitting, “TBL” stands for “through the back loop.” 

When a knitting pattern instructs you to knit or purl through the back loop (abbreviated as KTBL or PTBL), it means inserting your needle into the back loop of the stitch instead of the front loop as you normally would. 

The difference between k2tog and k2tog TBL lies in the resulting decrease lean. 

K2tog creates a right-leaning decrease, which slants to the right while k2tog TBL creates a left-leaning decrease, which slants to the left. 

This is useful when you want a mirrored decrease to balance out shaping in your knitting. 

How To Knit TBL

This video tutorial will show you how to knit through the back loop…

How To Purl TBL

This video tutorial will show you how to purl through the back loop…

What does ‘’knit 2 TBL’’ mean?

“Knit 2 TBL” stands for “knit 2 through the back loops.”.

This instruction is used in knitting patterns and tells you to knit two stitches together through their back loops.

Are there differences between knitting TBL in English and Continental style?

When knitting through the back loop (TBL) using the English style (throwing or right-hand method) versus the continental style (picking or left-hand method), the fundamental technique and stitch result remains the same. 

The key difference lies in how you hold and manipulate the yarn and needles rather than in the execution of the stitch itself.

Here’s how the approach may vary between English and continental styles for knitting through the back loop (TBL):

English style

When knitting in the English style using the throwing or right-hand method, you will need to hold the working yarn in your right hand. 

To create a stitch, insert the right needle into the back loop of the stitch on the left needle from right to left while bringing the right hand needle behind the left needle. 

Wrap the yarn around the right needle, just as you would for a regular knit stitch. 

Pull the yarn through the back loop to create the stitch, and complete it by sliding the old stitch off the left needle. 

Following these steps will allow you to create beautiful knitted pieces using the English style.

When using the continental style (picking or left-hand method) of knitting, you should hold the working yarn in your left hand. 

To make a stitch, insert the right-hand needle into the back loop of the stitch on the left needle from right to left, bringing the right needle behind the left-hand needle. 

While doing this, it’s important to keep the yarn in your left hand. 

Next, use the right-hand needle to scoop the working yarn through the back loop. 

Finally, complete the stitch by sliding the old stitch off the left needle tip. With these steps, you can create beautiful, high-quality knitted projects using the continental style.

Continental style

In Continental style knitting, the main difference is that the yarn remains in the left hand throughout the knitting process. 

The right needle is used more for picking or scooping the yarn through the stitches rather than wrapping it around the needle.

If you are a combination knitter, you can use both worlds to the best of your ability. 

What is combination knitting? 

Combination knitting refers to a style of knitting where the knitter combines techniques from both western-style knitting (or American) and Eastern (or Eastern European) knitting methods. 

The term “combination knitting” can sometimes lead to confusion because it has been used in different ways within the knitting community.

In which knitting stitches do you see the TBL technique?

The technique of knitting through the back loop (TBL) is used in various knitting stitches and techniques that create a unique texture or add a decorative element to the fabric.

This method twists the stitch and affects its orientation on the knitting needle.

One common application of knitting through the back loop is in twisted knit stitch patterns, including twisted stockinette stitch. 

While twisted stockinette stitch doesn’t involve knitting through the back loop on every stitch, it does employ a variation of this technique.  

This twisting method enhances the definition of the stitches and adds interest to the fabric. 

Additionally, knitting through the back loop (tbl) is often used in various decrease styles, such as to create decreases that lean in specific directions for shaping purposes. 

Twisted ribbing patterns and certain lace or cable designs may also incorporate knitting through the back loop to achieve desired stitch manipulations and maintain stitch definition within intricate patterns. 

Understanding and mastering the TBL technique expands a knitter’s toolkit, allowing for the exploration of diverse stitch patterns and textures in knitting projects. 

Most common knitting abbreviations

Here are some of the most common knitting abbreviations that involve knitting through the back loop (tbl):

  1. k tbl or k1 tbl: Knit through the back loop. Insert the needle into the back loop of the next stitch on the left needle and knit as usual.
  2. p tbl or p1 tbl: Purl through the back loop. Insert the needle into the back loop of the next stitch on the left needle and purl as usual.
  3. k2tog tbl: Knit two stitches together through the back loop. Insert the needle into the back loops of the next two stitches on the left needle and knit them together as one stitch.
  4. ssk tbl: Slip, slip, knit through the back loops. Slip the next two stitches individually knitwise, insert the left needle into the back loops of these slipped stitches, then knit them together through the back loops.
  5. p2tog tbl: Purl two stitches together through the back loop. Insert the needle into the back loops of the next two stitches on the left needle and purl them together as one stitch.

Check out an extensive list of knitting abbreviations here – Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US and UK) 

Why use the tbl knitting technique? 

Knitting through the back loop is a versatile technique that allows knitters to add dimension and texture to their projects. 

Although, another result of using this technique is that you will create a tighter stitch, which will add structural integrity. 

By mastering this technique and understanding its applications, knitters can expand their repertoire and creatively explore different stitch patterns and designs in their knitting endeavors.

Knitting Lessons

If you are a new knitter and need help with the knitting basics, check out these posts here: Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know.

This includes how to cast on, how to bind off, how to knit the basic knit stitches, how to knit the knit stitch, how to knit the purl stitch, the stockinette stitch, the seed stitch, the rib stitch, the mattress stitch, the slip stitch, how to slip slip knit, and short rows.

For an easy-level knitting pattern, check out this pattern category for more recommendations: Beginner Knitters

And if you need more video tutorials to help you practice your basic knitting skills, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube.

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media!

If you enjoyed the tbl tutorial, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme to be featured.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo and share tips with other makers.

However, you can also find us on Pinterest and Etsy. 

Happy Knitting!

More Stitch Patterns 

Check out the tutorials below to learn how to knit a new stitch.

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