When knitting on the round, a lot of beginning projects have you pick a direction to knit and keep going. For example, in my Fair Isle beanie, you can knit to the right or to the left, so long as you are consistent.
But what if you want to change directions?
The U-Wrap AKA the U-turn stitch is my go-to solution for ending a row on a scarf and then heading back the other way.
Let’s take a look at how to perform the U-Wrap.
Step 1
To start this stitch, you need a beginning bottom loop. For simplicity’s sake, I picked the e-wrap stitch to cast on, and for visual consistency, I went to the left on my loom. If you don’t have a beginning loop, you can make one by tying a slip knot on your starter peg. Then, wrap your working yarn around the neighboring peg, making a lowercase letter e shape.
Step 2
Make as many (or as few) e-wrap stitches as you need. When you’re ready to go back the other way, place your working yarn in front of the working peg. You want the yarn to go above the bottom loop (and not below like in the purl stitch).
Step 3
Like a car that needs to flip around, make a u-turn with your working yarn. The yarn will now be behind your current peg.
Step 4
Grab your knitting hook and slide it under the bottom loop. Pull it up and over the top of the peg. The loop will lock your working yarn into place. Both the bottom loop and the working yarn will rest behind the peg for a moment.
Step 5
Lift your working yarn from behind the peg so it sits in between your newly knit peg and your next peg. Your yarn will be all set to knit the next stitch.
Can I Only Use U-Wrap for Corners?
Nope! You can use u-wrap to change direction in the middle of your project (which is useful for buttons), and if you’re feeling it, you can stitch an entire row out of the U-wrap.
When Should I Use the U-Wrap?
In addition to using the U-wrap for making nice, neat edges on scarves and blankets, you can U-wrap stitch a variety of projects where you want a loose, floppy fabric. It’s a good choice for hats that drape, like a slouchy beanie. It’s also a solid option if you’re in a hurry to finish a project, as it doesn’t take as much time to wrap a peg like the e-wrap.
