KTBL Knitting: How To Knit Through The Back Loop

Learn KTBL knitting, also known as knit through the back loop, with this easy step-by-step tutorial.

KTBL is a knitting instruction that means you knit into the back loop of a stitch instead of the front loop.

This twists the stitch and creates a different texture in your knitted fabric.

If you have seen KTBL, K1TBL, or TBL in a knitting pattern and wondered what it means, this guide will walk you through the technique slowly and clearly.

You’ll learn what KTBL means, what TBL means in knitting, how to knit through the back loop, when to use it, and how it compares to PTBL, which means purl through the back loop.

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Quick Answer: What Does KTBL Mean In Knitting?

KTBL means knit through the back loop.

Instead of inserting your right-hand needle into the front loop of the next stitch as you would for a regular knit stitch, you insert it into the back loop and knit the stitch from there.

This twists the stitch and changes how it sits in the fabric.

You may also see this written as K1TBL, K1 tbl, knit TBL, or knit through back loop.

KTBL At A Glance

Detail	Information
Abbreviation	KTBL
Meaning	Knit through the back loop
Type of stitch	Twisted knit stitch
Worked as	A knit stitch
Yarn position	Back of the work
Commonly used in	Twisted ribbing, textured stitch patterns, decorative knitting
Related technique	PTBL
Main effect	Twists the stitch

KTBL Knitting - How to knit through the back loop

What Does TBL Mean In Knitting?

TBL means through the back loop.

It tells you to work into the back loop of a stitch instead of the front loop.

You may see TBL added to different knitting instructions, such as:

K1TBL: Knit one through the back loop
KTBL: Knit through the back loop
P1TBL: Purl one through the back loop
PTBL: Purl through the back loop
K2tog TBL: Knit two together through the back loops

The letters before TBL tell you what kind of stitch or decrease to work.

For example, KTBL tells you to knit through the back loop, while PTBL tells you to purl through the back loop.

What Is The Back Loop In Knitting?

Every stitch on your needle has a front loop and a back loop.

The front loop is the part of the stitch closest to you.
The back loop is the part of the stitch behind the needle, farther away from you.

In a regular knit stitch, you usually insert your right-hand needle into the front loop.

With KTBL, you insert the right-hand needle into the back loop instead.

This changes the way the stitch twists and sits in the fabric.

Front Loop Vs Back Loop

The main difference between the front loop and the back loop is where you insert your needle.

Loop	Where It Is	Common Use
Front loop	Closest to you	Regular knit and purl stitches
Back loop	Behind the needle	Twisted stitches such as KTBL and PTBL

Working through the front loop creates a regular knit stitch.

Working through the back loop twists the stitch.

This twist can create a firmer, tighter, or more decorative fabric, depending on the pattern.

Before You Start

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

Work the knit stitch
Recognize the front loop and back loop of a stitch
Hold the yarn at the back of your work
Keep an even tension
Read basic knitting abbreviations

KTBL is beginner-friendly once you know how to knit, but it can feel slightly awkward at first because the back loop is in a different position.

Use smooth, light-colored yarn while practicing so you can see the stitch clearly.

KTBL is easy to practice on a small stockinette stitch swatch because the smooth knit fabric makes it easier to see how the stitch changes.

A normal knit stitch is worked through the front of the stitch, while KTBL is worked through the back loop.

This twists the resulting stitch and makes it sit differently in the fabric.

How To Knit Through The Back Loop

To work KTBL:

Keep the yarn at the back of your work, as you normally would for a knit stitch.
Look at the next stitch on the left-hand needle.
Find the back loop of that stitch.
Insert the right-hand needle into the back loop from right to left.
Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle.
Pull the yarn through the back loop.
Slide the old stitch off the left-hand needle.

You have now worked one KTBL stitch.

The stitch has been knitted through the back loop and will sit twisted in the fabric.

Video Tutorial: How To Knit TBL Through The Back Loop

Watch the video tutorial below to see how to knit through the back loop.

This tutorial shows you how to find the back loop, place the right-hand needle correctly, wrap the yarn, and complete the KTBL stitch.

You can see the full video on my YouTube channel here.

Step-By-Step KTBL Instructions

Here is the KTBL stitch broken down more slowly.

Step 1: Keep the yarn at the back

KTBL 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-hand needle.

This is the stitch you are going to knit, but instead of working into the front loop in the usual way, you will work into the back loop.

Step 3: Find the back loop

The back loop is the part of the stitch behind the needle.

It sits farther away from you than the front loop.

For KTBL, this is where you will insert your right-hand needle.

Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle into the back loop

Insert the right-hand needle into the back loop of the next stitch.

This movement can feel a little different from a regular knit stitch because you are working into the back of the stitch.

Move slowly and try not to pull the stitch too tight.

Step 5: Wrap the yarn

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

Keep the yarn at the back of the work.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through

Pull the wrapped yarn through the back loop of the stitch.

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

Step 7: Slide the old stitch off

Slide the old stitch off the left-hand needle.

You have now worked one KTBL stitch.

Easy Way To Remember KTBL

A simple way to remember KTBL is:

Knit through the back loop.

It is worked like a knit stitch, but instead of using the front loop, you work into the back loop.

This twists the stitch and gives it a different look from a regular knit stitch.

What Does KTBL Do To A Stitch?

KTBL twists the stitch.

Because you knit through the back loop, the legs of the stitch cross differently and the stitch sits tighter in the fabric.

This can create a more defined look, especially in twisted ribbing or decorative stitch patterns.

Depending on the pattern, KTBL may be used to:

Create twisted ribbing
Add texture
Tighten the fabric slightly
Make stitches look more defined
Create decorative stitch patterns
Work a stitch as it appears in a pattern repeat

What Does KTBL Look Like?

KTBL creates a twisted knit stitch.

On the knit side of the fabric, the stitch may look tighter, more defined, or slightly crossed compared to a regular knit stitch.

In twisted ribbing, KTBL can make the knit columns look sharper and more pronounced.

The effect is subtle in some yarns and more obvious in smooth, light-colored yarn.

KTBL Vs Regular Knit Stitch

A regular knit stitch is usually worked through the front loop.

KTBL is worked through the back loop.

Both are knit stitches, but they create different results.

Stitch	How It Is Worked	Finished Look
Knit stitch	Worked through the front loop	Regular knit stitch
KTBL	Worked through the back loop	Twisted knit stitch

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

KTBL Vs PTBL: What Is The Difference?

KTBL means knit through the back loop.
PTBL means purl through the back loop.

Both techniques twist the stitch by working into the back loop instead of the front loop.

The main difference is how the stitch is worked.

KTBL is worked as a knit stitch, with the yarn at the back.
PTBL is worked as a purl stitch, with the yarn at the front.

Abbreviation	Meaning	Yarn Position	Type Of Stitch
KTBL	Knit through the back loop	Back	Twisted knit stitch
PTBL	Purl through the back loop	Front	Twisted purl stitch

KTBL and PTBL are often used together in twisted ribbing or textured stitch patterns.

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

K1TBL, K2TBL And K2tog TBL: What Do They Mean?

You may see TBL written in several ways in knitting patterns.

K1TBL

K1TBL means knit one through the back loop.

This is the same as working one KTBL stitch.

K2TBL

K2TBL usually means knit two stitches through the back loops, one at a time.

Always check the pattern notes to make sure the designer does not mean a decrease.

K2tog TBL

K2tog TBL means knit two together through the back loops.

This is a decrease, not just a twisted stitch.

It turns two stitches into one stitch and is often used when a pattern needs a specific decrease direction or texture.

If your pattern uses K2tog TBL, follow the instruction carefully because it changes your stitch count.

When Should You Use KTBL?

Use KTBL when your knitting pattern tells you to knit through the back loop.

You may see KTBL in:

Twisted ribbing
Rib stitch patterns
Decorative knitting patterns
Textured stitch patterns
Cable and texture designs
Stitch patterns that use twisted stitches
Patterns that pair KTBL and PTBL together

If your pattern includes KTBL, the designer usually wants the twisted stitch effect.

It is best to follow the instructions as written unless you are intentionally changing the stitch pattern.

Is KTBL Hard For Beginners?

KTBL is not too difficult once you know how to knit.

The movement can feel a little awkward at first because the back loop is not where you usually insert the needle for a knit stitch.

If the stitch feels tight, relax your tension and move slowly.

Using smooth yarn and medium-sized needles can make the technique easier to practice.

Common KTBL Mistakes

Working a regular knit stitch instead

KTBL is not the same as a regular knit stitch.

Make sure you insert the right-hand needle into the back loop, not the front loop.

Pulling the stitch too tight

Knitting through the back loop can feel tight.

Try to keep your tension relaxed so the right-hand needle can move through the stitch more easily.

Confusing KTBL with PTBL

KTBL and PTBL both use the back loop, but they are not the same.

KTBL is worked as a knit stitch with the yarn at the back.

PTBL is worked as a purl stitch with the yarn at the front.

Confusing KTBL with K1B

KTBL and K1B are different techniques.

KTBL means knit through the back loop.

K1B means knit one below.

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

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

Missing the back loop

The back loop can be harder to see at first.

Look behind the needle and make sure you are inserting the right-hand needle into the back part of the stitch.

KTBL Practice Swatch

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

Cast on 20 stitches.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Purl all stitches.
Row 3: K2, KTBL to last 2 stitches, K2.
Row 4: Purl all stitches.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 a few times.

This will help you practice knitting through the back loop while keeping a small edge at each side.

For a twisted rib practice swatch, try:

Cast on an even number of stitches.

Row 1: *K1TBL, P1; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2: *K1TBL, P1; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat these two rows to practice twisted ribbing.

KTBL Knitting FAQs

What does KTBL mean in knitting?

KTBL means knit through the back loop.

It tells you to knit into the back loop of the next stitch instead of the front loop.

What does TBL mean in knitting?

TBL means through the back loop.

It tells you to work into the back loop of a stitch.

How do you KTBL in knitting?

To KTBL, keep the yarn at the back, insert the right-hand needle into the back loop of the next stitch on the left-hand needle, wrap the yarn, pull it through, and slide the old stitch off the needle.

Is KTBL the same as knit through the back loop?

Yes, KTBL means knit through the back loop.

Is KTBL the same as K1TBL?

KTBL and K1TBL usually mean the same thing when the pattern asks you to work one stitch through the back loop.

K1TBL means knit one through the back loop.

Does KTBL twist the stitch?

Yes, KTBL twists the stitch because you are knitting through the back loop instead of the front loop.

Is KTBL the same as K1B?

No, KTBL and K1B are different.

KTBL means knit through the back loop, while K1B means knit one below.

What is the difference between KTBL and PTBL?

KTBL means knit through the back loop, while PTBL means purl through the back loop.

KTBL is worked as a knit stitch, and PTBL is worked as a purl stitch.

When do you use KTBL?

Use KTBL when your pattern asks you to knit through the back loop.

It is often used in twisted ribbing, textured stitch patterns, and decorative knitting patterns.

Can beginners learn KTBL?

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

It may feel awkward at first, but it becomes easier with practice.