Knit the stitches together through the back loop.

Gründl Knitting School

Knit two stitches together through the back loop – Video tutorial for knitting beginners

Knit two stitches together through the back loop – Video tutorial for knitting beginners

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Welcome to a new video from the Gründl Knitting School. This time we'll take a closer look at how to knit two stitches together through the back loop and why you need this knitting technique. So, get your knitting needles and yarn ready – let's go!

What does it mean to knit two stitches together through the back loop and what is this technique used for?

When you knit two stitches together through the back loop, it means nothing more than turning two stitches into one. This technique is therefore a form of decrease. You will often find it in instructions when it comes to shaping raglan shoulders, creating a neckline for a sweater, or shaping a hat upwards.

How do you knit two stitches together through the back loop?

To knit two stitches together through the back loop, insert your right needle from right to left into the back loop of each of the first two stitches on the left needle. Don't be surprised that you don't insert it from left to right as with normal knitting of knit stitches.

If you find it difficult to insert from the back into the stitches, you can alternatively insert into the front loop of each stitch – and then bring your needle to the back. It is important that the right needle is behind the left needle at the end.

Now wrap the yarn around the needle and knit both stitches together. There is now only one stitch on your right needle, while there are two stitches on your left needle. Then let the two stitches slide off the left needle. Et voilà, that was the whole trick – two stitches have been reduced to one stitch.

What does a knit stitch through the back loop look like?

You can recognize a knit stitch through the back loop by the fact that it slants to the left. Furthermore, the legs of a knit stitch worked through the back loop lie over the legs of other stitches.

What projects is this technique suitable for?

We have good news for you: You can not only knit stitches together through the back loop for decreases, but also create impressive patterns with them.

In our example, you can see an expressive pattern of knit stitches through the back loop in combination with a lace pattern. The knit-through-back-loop decreases are immediately recognizable because they slant to the left. To ensure a constant number of stitches, each decrease is balanced with a yarn over that transitions into a lace pattern. Clever, right? How do you like the pattern?

P.S.: You can learn how to knit lace patterns step by step in this free video for learning to knit.

Are knit through back loop and knit 2 together (k2tog) the same?

The answer is: yes. Because with both decrease techniques, the stitch slants to the left.

Knit 2 together (k2tog):
You slip the first of the two stitches as if to knit, knit the next stitch normally, and then pull the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.

Knit two together through the back loop:
Insert the right needle from right to left into the back loop of each of the first two stitches, wrap the yarn around the needle, and knit both stitches together.