RS in knitting stands for "right side," and it describes the face of the fabric that is intended to be visible when a project is finished. Understanding this concept is fundamental because it dictates how you read patterns, position your work on the needles, and evaluate the overall appearance of your knitting. The right side typically showcases the texture and design, while the opposite, known as the wrong side or WS, features the reverse orientation of those same stitches.
The Visual Difference Between RS and WS
The distinction between the right side and wrong side is most obvious in textured patterns. For stockinette stitch, the right side displays smooth V-shaped loops (the tops of the knit stitches), while the wrong side shows small horizontal bumps (the purl stitches). Conversely, in garter stitch, where every row is knit, the fabric looks identical on both sides, making it impossible to designate a definitive right or wrong. Ribbing and cable patterns also exhibit clear visual differences, with intricate twists and raised lines appearing prominently on the right side to create the intended design.
Why Orientation Matters in Reading Patterns
Knitting patterns are written with the assumption that the knitter is working on the right side. This means that instructions for shaping, such as increases or decreases, are placed to create symmetry on the visible face. When you turn your work to the wrong side, the rows are often worked differently, sometimes involving purling or specific techniques to maintain the structure. Recognizing when you are on the RS versus the WS ensures that you follow the pattern correctly and avoid creating unintentional twists or misaligned motifs.
Identifying the Right Side While You Work
For beginners, determining the right side can be challenging until the fabric is complete. A reliable method is to examine the top edge, or cast-on edge; the side with the smoother, more uniform appearance is usually the wrong side, while the textured side is the right side. Needles are typically positioned with the right side facing the knitter, allowing you to see the active stitches clearly. As you progress, keeping the working yarn on the correct side of the work is essential for maintaining consistent tension and stitch definition.
Special Techniques for Wrong-Side Rows
Even when the pattern specifies working on the wrong side, the execution requires specific attention. On these rows, knitters often purl instead of knit to preserve the integrity of the fabric's structure. This reversal of action ensures that the texture created on the right side remains consistent. Understanding that the wrong side is essentially the "backstage" of your project helps you execute these transitions smoothly, resulting in a clean and professional finish on the opposite side.
Advanced Considerations: Blocking and Finishing
The distinction between the right side and wrong side becomes critically important during the blocking and finishing stages. Blocking involves wetting or steaming the fabric to set the stitches, and the tension is often adjusted to enhance the definition of the right side. When seaming garments, aligning the right sides together ensures that the external appearance is seamless and polished. Careful attention to this orientation guarantees that the final presentation matches the designer's vision, with textures and cables lying flat and correctly oriented.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most frequent errors is accidentally twisting the fabric by turning it sideways instead of flipping it over, which results in a permanent ridge. This usually happens when a knitter assumes a piece is oriented one way when it is actually flipped. Another common issue is misreading charts, where the starting point is assumed to be the right side without verifying the key. To prevent this, always check the legend of a chart, which will indicate whether the darkest squares represent the right side or the wrong side of the work.
