Technique - Wrap and Turn

The "wrap and turn" is a way of adding darts to knitted projects. It's most commonly used to form the toe and heel in socks, but it can also be used to add bust darts and other kinds of shaping to garments.



I'm starting this wrap and turn just beyond a provisional cast on - this is the toe of a sock.

Knit up to the last stitch on the row.


Bring the yarn to the other side of the work. In this case I'm knitting so I'm bringing it to the front.


Slip the unknit stitch to the other needle and bring the yarn to the other side of the work again.


Slip that last stitch back. This is the first wrapped stitch. Turn the work around and, in this case, purl back.


Stop one stitch before the end.


Bring the yarn to the other side of the work - in this case, to the back.


Slip the stitch to the other needle.


Wrap the yarn around the stitch and slip it back. Turn the work and knit back.


Stop one stitch before the last wrapped stitch.


Yarn to the other side (front), slip one stitch.


Yarn to the other side again (back this time) and slip that stitch back.


Turn the work and knit across.


Continue this way, stepping in one stitch at each end, until you have the desired number of active stitches left.


Knit to the closest wrapped stitch.


Pick up the wrap and place it on the needle. Knit the two loops together.


Wrap the next stitch. This stitch will be double wrapped.

Knit to the other end and repeat picking up the single wrap, knitting the two loops together, and wrapping the next stitch.


Continue that same process, but now each time up pick up the wraps you'll be picking up two and knitting three loops together. Then wrap, turn, and work back.


Eventually you'll be back to the number of stitches you started with. You'll continue the pattern knitting flat/in the round at this point.