Purl Twist Right

How are you doing with Lorna’s Light, this month’s Precious Treasures KAL project? I  expect that the p1tr (purl 1 twist right) stitch used in Lorna’s Light might have been new to you. This is a stitch manipulation that intentionally twists the stitch.

Close cousins to the p1tr twist stitch are the more common k1tbl (knit 1 stitch through back loop) and p1tbl (purl 1 stitch through back loop). The “tbl” action results in a stitch loop that is twisted to the left.

By comparison, the p1tr stitch results in a stitch loop that is twisted to the right.

Why twist a stitch?

The reasons the Lorna’s Light pattern is designed with twisted stitches is twofold:

1. Twisted stitches firm up the fabric. The added stiffness is an advantage for projects like a purse or bookmark where you want more structure to the fabric.
2. Twisted stitches help lock in the tiny beads.

Step-by-step p1tr

Step-by-step instructions are included in the Lorna’s Light pattern. The relatively lengthy explanation might look intimidating at first. But it simply boils down to

• re-mount next stitch opposite of normal,
• then purl into that re-mounted stitch through front loop.

Note: You can avoid re-mounting the stitch by anticipating the reverse-mount in the previous row. This is more trouble than it probably is worth, because it turns a plain rest row of purl stitches into one that requires counting concentration. What you would do is to pick or throw the yarn in the opposite direction of normal for only those stitches that would otherwise need to be manipulated in the following row. Note: If you know about combined knitting, also see Peggy Laine’s comment at the end of this article.

The p1tr stitch is basically the same as a p1tbl stitch, except that the former twists the stitch to the right and the latter twists the stitch to the left. So feel free to try substituting p1tbl if you want to. However, most people find p1tbl more awkward to do than p1tr. Also, I find that p1tr helps keep the bead in place between the stitches while completing the stitch, whereas with p1tbl I have to be more careful that the bead doesn’t slip through the new stitch.

Alternatives to p1tr twisted purl stitches

If you really hate the twisted stitch manipulations, it’s not entirely necessary to do the twisted stitches called for in Lorna’s Light pattern as designed.

• Alternative to get added stiffness: Apply a stiffening agent to the fabric.

You can starch the fabric after it has been knitted. The slight disadvantage of this alternative is that starch tends to be a temporary treatment that needs to be reapplied after a period of time of using the item.

• Alternative to using twisted purl stitches: Use plain purl stitches.

In the Challenge of Tiny, I mentioned that if you don’t use beads, you can simplify the knitting by substituting plain purl stitches for all the p1tr twisted purl stitches. Even if you are using beads you can use plain purl stitches and get by. Just realize that the beads will not be quite as stable in the fabric.

If you know about combined knitting, read this

Peggy Laine wrote (on Ravelry):

Working on Lorna’s Light. Still having a terrible time holding these microscopic needles, but things are going a little faster for me now. Finally realized the stitch mount for placing the beads is the same as the purl mount for combined knitting, which is my preferred method. So I purl back combined, and the only stitches to be manipulated on the knit side are the K2tog. Goes a bit quicker when every bead mount does not have to be pre-manipulated. Just thought I’d share!