Make 1 Backwards Loop
The technique Make 1 Backwards Loop is an incredibly simple and effective way to add stitches. It is occasionally used as a single increase in the middle of a row or round, but more often it is used to cast on stitches in the middle of your project anywhere, anytime. You’ll commonly encounter this technique to cast on stitches for…
- The underarms of top-down sweaters
- The crotch of shorts, pants, and baby bloomers
- Buttonholes
- Between fingers of gloves
In these same situations, you may see a Cable Cast On recommended instead. It’s a fine alternative but slightly more involved, a bit bulkier, and less elastic. Your pattern has probably taken these considerations into account when it recommends one over the other!
NOTE: You may see a Make 1 Backwards Loop used as the initial cast-on for a project. While it is super easy, it’s not the neatest option. For the initial cast-on for a project, a Long Tail Cast On is usually your best bet. Please check out our Long Tail Cast On Tutorial where we show you two easy ways to do one!
And now, follow our step-by-step Make 1 Backwards Loop Tutorial below to try this technique out for yourself!
Make 1 Backward Loop Step 1: Create a loop with the working yarn so that the tail end lies over the working end.
Make 1 Backward Loop Step 2: Insert the right needle into the loop from front to back.
Make 1 Backward Loop Step 3: Pull the yarn to tighten the loop on the right needle, creating a new stitch! That’s it!
To create another stitch, like in this situation where you’re casting on stitches for an underarm, continue repeating steps 1-3 until you have the number of stitches called for in your pattern.
NOTE: If you look at the legs of the new stitch you just created, you will see that the back leg crosses over the right. That means, when you make one or two in the middle of your knitting, it is a right-leaning increase!
Give It A Try!
Our Pinwheel Baby Romper pattern, designed by Ainur Berkimbeyava and knit in our Peruvian Pima Picnic Cotton, uses the Make 1 Backward Loop to join the front and back bibs at the underarms. There are lots of other fun techniques along the way… Give them all a try!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Love your knits
I use this method and I’m glad to see it introduced but this is incomplete!This type of make 1 is directional. The loop above has the working yarn looped so the end is in front which is good for a right slant. If you loop is so that the working yarn comes out the back it will be left leaning. The best way to remember this if that fRont and Right both have an ‘r.’
Lastly when I come to these increases on the next row I work them through the back to eliminate gaps and have them lie flat. Great in a raglan.
Hi Robyn,
Thank you so much for sharing these great tips! We didn’t include these extra techniques in our tutorial as our accompanying project, our Essential Mittens and Handwarmers, has you use this increase after placing the thumb stitches on hold, so it isn’t necessary to make it directional. This is a wonderful insight into the possibilities of the Make 1 Backwards Loop increase, however, and I’m sure many knitters will find it helpful!
Best,
Julianna
Can you tell me what type of yarn you are using here! It is beautiful!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! In this tutorial, we used our yarn Cashmere Tend in Wild Hyacinth! Unfortunately, this yarn is currently unavailable so I would suggest using Cashmere Merino Bloom instead, it comes in a very similar color called Crocus Bud!
Happy crafting!
Gianna
So helpful. I’m sitting on a plane coming back from Sweden and not a single knitting video would load – this was even better! So simple and clear. Thank you 🙂
This is by far the best way to teach knitting stitches. The pictures allowed me to spend time on each step of the process. I had to do the M1 thru back loop and success, I did it and it was easy. I have photographed your site for the future.