Home › Knitting abbreviations › tbl: Through the back loop
tbl: Through the back loop
Insert the needle into the back leg of the stitch instead of the front, then work it as written. This is one of the building-block stitches. Patterns assume you can work it without thinking, and most other abbreviations are built from it.
How to work tbl
Insert the needle into the back leg of the stitch instead of the front, then work it as written. This twists the stitch.
Common mistake
Using tbl on every stitch when the pattern asks only for specific stitches.
Effect on your stitch count
It does not change the stitch count by itself.
How it looks in a pattern
A typical line (an invented example for illustration):
Row 3 (RS): K2, tbl, repeat to end of row.Related abbreviations
All terms are in the knitting abbreviations list, and in the app's Glossary, which works offline.
Frequently asked questions
What does tbl stand for?
tbl stands for through the back loop.
Does tbl change the number of stitches?
It does not change the stitch count by itself.