How to Create Twists (TB4 and TF4)

Tutorial Overview

Twists are a variation of cable stitches. The main difference is that we purl the stitches moved to the back of the work, and knit the stitches we bring to the front. You'll need a cable needle to hold your stitches.

The number in the abbreviation given in your pattern tells you how many stitches will be worked in total. In our tutorial we're working over 4 stitches. Half of the number given will be slipped onto your cable needle, and held either at the back, or front, of your work.

Check your pattern carefully for information about how many stitches to slip onto the cable needle, and which stitches to knit or purl. There are a variety of twists and cable techniques that can look very similar at first glance.

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Step-by-step guide

First, let's look at TB4:

TB4, or T4B,  is an abbreviation for 'twist back 4'.

Step 1:

Follow your pattern until you reach the twist.
Slip the next 2 stitches onto your cable needle.

Step 2:

Hold the cable needle at the back of your work.
Knit the next 2 stitches from your left-hand needle.

Step 3:

Then purl the 2 stitches from the cable needle.

You have now completed your twist!

Next, let's look at TF4:

TF4, or T4F, is the abbreviation for 'twist front 4'.

Step 1:

Follow your pattern until you reach the twist.
Slip the next 2 stitches onto your cable needle.

Step 2:

Hold the cable needle in front of your work.
Purl the next 2 stitches from your left-hand needle.

Step 3:

Then knit the next 2 stitches from your cable needle.

You now have completed your twist! 

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