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 boucl� – 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 – Boucl�
DROPS Verdi – Bulky – 48% Acrylic, 20% Wool, 17% Polyester, 15% Mohair – Fuzzy – Tonal colors
DROPS Vivaldi – Lace – 56% Mohair, 30% Acrylic, 14% Wool – Brushed boucl� – Solid colors

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

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