PTBL – How to purl through the back loop

A step-by-step tutorial on purling through the back loop. Learn PTBL the continental way

So, your pattern tells you the purl one through the back loop? But how do you knit it? In this tutorial, I’m going to show you exactly how to create twisted purl stitches – step by step.

ⓘ In knitting patterns, this stitch is abbreviated as Ptbl. There is a corresponding Ktbl, knit through back loop, stitch as well.

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Instructions: How to knit purl through back loop

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PTBL is among the more difficult stitches for continental knitters. Sharp knitting needles can help. A yarn that splits easily can sometimes also be a problem.

Active Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Materials

• Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

• Long double-pointed or circular knitting needles. I am using the Knitter's Pride Dreamz here

Instructions

1. Bring the working yarn towards the front.
   
2. Enter the first stitch on the left needle through the back, coming in from left to right. This can be fiddly and you really need to bring your needle all the way around.
   
3. Angle the needle back towards the "normal" knitting position, and wrap the working yarn around it counter-clockwise.
   
4. Use your middle finger to push the working yarn forward. This will facilitate pulling the yarn through in the next step.
   Note: If you tension your yarn around the index finger, then push that towards you. Some people also use their thumb to do the pushing.
   
5. Pull the yarn through the stitch and towards the back. Give the working yarn a slight yank to tighten the stitch up.
   
6. Drop the finished purl through the back loop stitch off the left needle.
   

Difference between normal purl stitches and twisted purl stitches

Twisted purl stitches use a tiny bit more yarn. As a result, if you were to purl across all rows twisted, then the resulting fabric would be a lot more condensed compared to the regular purl stitch. Otherwise, the fabric will look almost identical, alternating between convex and concave little half-moon bumps.

The true difference becomes apparent when you look at the knit side. A purl stitch is a mirrored knit stitch. So when you look at a purl stitch from the other side, it will always appear like a knit stitch. A regular knit stitch forms a symmetrical V. However, if you look at a twisted purl stitch from the knit side, you see more of an X that is mixing one leg.

So, what do you need the Ptbl for?

If you are knitting a flat piece, your chart sometimes doesn’t show you the return rows and simply states “knit every stitch as they appear” (or something similar). So, if you see a twisted stitch (the result of a Ktbl) in the return row, you will have to purl through the back loop so it will appear correctly in your pattern. A twisted rib stitch is a perfect example, but there are others (e.g. Bavarian twisted stitches).

Also, if you see a twisted purl stitch on your needles where one shouldn’t be (typically after you picked up stitches after frogging or when you turn the heel of socks, etc), you can knit this twisted purl stitch through the back loop to rectify that mistake.

Purl 2 together through the back loop

Sometimes patterns require you to purl two stitches together through the back loop. You’ll knit this the same as above, but in this case, you’ll go through two stitches from behind instead of just one. First, in the second stitch on your left needle, then into the first stitch (sounds like two steps, but it’s one motion).

It can be a bit tricky to insert the needle into the second stitch, but you can use the tip of your needle to loosen it up a bit from the front if you really can’t fit in. Here’s a full tutorial on how to p2tog tbl.

So, this is how to purl through the back loop tutorial. Make sure to comment with your questions if you have any.