How to Knit on the Right or Wrong Side

Co-authored by Jen Webber and Amber Crain

Last Updated: October 22, 2020 References

If you're a knitting newbie, you may be confused when a pattern tells you to knit on the right side (RS) or wrong side (WS). Don't worry—it's confusing to everyone at first! Basically, the right side (RS) is the front side of your project. When the pattern says to work a row (RS), it means that row will face the front. The wrong side is the back side, so if a pattern says to work a row (WS), that row will face the back side of the completed project.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Inspecting the Stitches

1
Look for rows of raised, wavy stitches to find the wrong side. Wavy stitches are called purl stitches and purling always appears on the wrong side of the work. If you see wavy purl stitches, you're looking at the wrong side. The side with flat braided stitches is the right side (or the knit side).^{[1]
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- The right side feels flatter and smoother than the wrong side.
2
Use the first row to identify the right side if the sides look identical. Garter stitch patterns won't have wavy purl stitches on the wrong side. Instead, both sides of the work look identical.^{[2]
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Research source} To find the right side, check where your cast on tail is after knitting the first row. When the cast on tail is in that position, you're looking at the right side of the work.^{[3]
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- The first row and every odd numbered row after that is right side facing.
- For non-garment items, like toys or blankets, consider the piece reversible. Either side can be the right side.
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3
Check for columns of wavy, bumpy stitches to identify the wrong side. Ribbing patterns have vertical, alternating columns of knit and purl stitches. The side with vertical rows of wavy purl stitches is the wrong side.^{[4]
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4
Find a row with a gap to identify the wrong side of multi-colored work. If the swatch has more than 1 yarn color, look closely at the row where 1 color changes to the next color. The side that shows a row with a small gap in between the colors is the wrong side. The right side looks like normal and has no gaps between the rows.^{[5]
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- This trick works for any stitch with identical-looking, like the garter stitch.
5
Look for loose yarn to spot the wrong side. When you’re knitting a specific pattern with multiple color changes, it’s easy to tell the sides apart! The right side is the side with the stitching and colorful pattern on it. The wrong side has loose strands of yarn and the stitches look random.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Reading Pattern Instructions

1
Note that RS is the right side and WS is the wrong side. Knitting patterns use RS (right side) and WS (wrong side) to indicate what kind of stitch you should do for that row.^{[7]
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Research source} For example, directions for a stockinette stitch might look something like this:
- Row 1 (RS): Knit.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl.^{[8]
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2
Flip the work over at the end of each row to work on the reverse side. When all of the stitches on 1 needle have been transferred to the other needle, you've reached the end of a row. Flip the work and place the needle with the stitches on it in your left hand and start the next row.^{[9]
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- For example, if you're knitting stockinette, flip the work when you reach the end of the first row and do the next row with purl stitches. The pattern directions might look like:
  - Row 1 (RS): Knit.
  - Row 2 (WS): Purl.
3
See if even and odd rows are labeled on the pattern. The first row of a knitting pattern is considered the right side, and the second row is considered the wrong side. Since one is an odd number, all of the odd rows are right side facing. The even rows are on the wrong side.^{[10]
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4
Highlight odd rows on the pattern to track which side is which. If your pattern doesn’t label the rows as even or odd, simply find the first row on the paper pattern and highlight it. Then, highlight all of the odd numbered rows after that. That way, when you’re looking at the pattern, you know the highlighted rows are right side facing and the even rows are wrong side facing.^{[11]
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- For example, you would highlight this on your pattern since it’s the first row:
  - Row 1 (RS): K1, kfb, knit to end [1 st inc].

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I know which is the right side of my knitting?

Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist
Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.

Jen Webber

Knitting Specialist

Expert Answer

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That can be tricky, depending on the pattern you're doing. Try attaching a stitch marker to the right side of your work. That way, when you pick it up, you'll be able to tell the difference between the sides, even if they look very similar.
Question

What does it mean when a pattern says end on right side?

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It means to work the final row with the right side facing you (rather than the wrong side).
Question

My hat pattern calls for knitting in the round and says pattern is worked on the wrong side. Does that mean I turn it inside out to wear it?

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It's hard to say without seeing the pattern, but if it says to work the pattern on the wrong side, that doesn't mean the finished hat will need to be inverted. The wrong side stitching will create the pattern that shows up on the right side.