Knitting backwards instead of purling

A couple of years ago I designed a knitted Christmas decoration that twists round like a corkscrew to form a bouncy tree shape. The only problem with the pattern is that the rows are so short that it can feel like you’re spending as much time turning as knitting.

Luckily, this problem is easy to solve: knit backwards! Make the purl stitch from the front side instead of turning. It's not too difficult to learn and I've found it a worthwhile skill to have. It can make charts easier to follow as you can keep the front of the work always facing; and can also alleviate tension problems associated with purling.

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You can buy the Twisted Christmas Tree pattern on Ravelry. It's a Christmassy way to practice knitting backwards!

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Thank you for being there. And have a Merry Christmas!

New and Discontinued Yarns

New yarn: The Verdant Gryphon - Skinny Bugga! – Image © The Verdant Gryphon

New

Adriafil
Amami – Aran – 50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic – Plied – Multicolored
EraOra – DK – 100% Cotton – Plied – Self-striping Marls
Galassia – DK – 69% Cotton, 30% Acrylic, 1% Polyester – Sequinned – Solid colors with sequins
Setasilk – Worsted – 50% Cotton, 30% Silk, 20% Nylon – Plied – Solid colors

Blue Moon Fiber Arts
Tigger Targhee – Light Fingering – 100% Targhee Wool – S on S plied – Solid colors, Semi-solid, Multicolored

Cloudborn (by Craftsy)
Alpaca Sport – Sport – 100% Superfine Alpaca – Plied with a soft haze – Solid colors, Heathers
Baby Alpaca Bulky – Bulky – 100% Baby Alpaca – Plied with a soft haze – Solid colors, Heathers
Baby Alpaca Fingering – Fingering – 100% Baby Alpaca – Plied with a soft haze – Solid colors, Heathers
Eco Alpaca & Highland Fingering – Light Fingering – 50% Superfine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian Highland Wool – 2 plies – undyed
Highland DK – DK – 100% Peruvian Highland Wool – Plied – Solid colors, Heathers
Highland Fingering – Fingering – 100% Peruvian Highland Wool – Plied – Solid colors, Heathers
Highland Sport – Sport – 100% Peruvian Highland Wool – Plied – Solid colors, Heathers
Highland Worsted – Heavy Worsted – 100% Peruvian Highland Wool – 2 plies – Solid colors, Heathers
Superwash Merino Bulky – Bulky – 100% Merino Superwash Wool – 2 plies – Solid colors
Superwash Merino DK – DK – 100% Merino Superwash Wool – Plied – Solid colors
Superwash Merino Worsted Twist – Heavy Worsted – 100% Merino Superwash Wool – Plied – Solid colors, Heathers

Dale of Norway / Dalegarn
Pure Eco Fur – Super Bulky – 70% Wool, 25% Alpaca, 5% Nylon – Faux fur – Solid colors
Pure Eco Wool – DK – 70% Wool, 30% Alpaca – S on S plied – Solid colors

Diamond
Luxury Collection Tradition – Aran – 42% Wool, 51% Acrylic, 7% Nylon – Plied – Solid colors

Lang Yarns
Magic Tweed – Sport – 62% Superwash Wool, 18% Nylon, 10% Viscose, 10% Acrylic – Tweedy – Tweed colors

Lion Brand
24/7 Cotton – Worsted – 100% Mercerized Cotton – Plied – Solid colors
Color Clouds – Super Bulky – 100% Acrylic – 2 plies – Multicolored

Naturally
Gallipoli – DK – 100% Superwash Wool – Plied – Solid colors
Loyal 4-ply – Fingering – 100% Superwash Wool – Plied – Solid colors

Patons (North America)
Uplands – Bulky – 50% Wool, 50% Acrylic – Thick and thin – Semi-solid colors

Phildar
Mohair Soie – Worsted – 20% Wool, 50% Mohair, 30% Silk – Fuzzy – Solid colors
Phil Country – Super Bulky – 100% Acrylic – Plied – Dotted color

Scheepjes
Alpaca Rhythm – Fingering – 80% Alpaca, 20% Wool – 2 plies – Solid colors
Mohair Rhythm – Lace – 70% Mohair, 30% Microfiber – Brushed bouclé – Solid colors

String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn
Bartlett Narrows Lace – Lace – 100% Merino Superwash Wool – 2 plies – Solid colors, Tonal colors, Multicolored

Sunshine Yarns
Cloud Sport – DK – 60% Yak, 40% Silk – Plied – Solid colors, Tonal colors

The Verdant Gryphon
Skinny Bugga! – Fingering – 80% Merino Superwash Wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon – Plied – Solid colors, Tonal colors, Multicolored

Three Bears Yarn
Affection 4-ply – Fingering – 100% Cotton – Crepe – Solid colors
Affection Aran – Aran – 100% Cotton – Crepe – Solid colors
Affection DK – DK – 100% Cotton – Crepe – Solid colors
Chenille DK – DK – 100% Cotton – Chenille – Solid colors

Trendsetter Yarns
Allure – Heavy Worsted – 85% Viscose, 15% Silk – Tape – Tonal colors, Multicolored

Universal Yarn
Deluxe Bulky Superwash – Bulky – 100% Superwash Wool – Plied – Solid colors

Valley Yarns
Haydenville – Worsted – 60% Merino Superwash Wool, 40% Microfiber – Plied – Solid colors

Wendy
Eider – Bulky – 80% Nylon, 20% Polyester – Faux fur – Solid colors

Discontinued

Cascade Yarns
Cherub Aran Sparkle – Worsted – 54% Nylon, 42% Acrylic, 4% Metallic – Plied
Sateen – Sport – 100% Acrylic – S on S plied

DROPS Design
DROPS Puddel – Super Bulky – 94% Mohair, 6% Polyester – Bouclé
DROPS Verdi – Bulky – 48% Acrylic, 20% Wool, 17% Polyester, 15% Mohair – Fuzzy – Tonal colors
DROPS Vivaldi – Lace – 56% Mohair, 30% Acrylic, 14% Wool – Brushed bouclé – Solid colors

Wendy
Quasar Chunky – Bulky – 70% Acrylic, 30% Nylon – Plied

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