Right Side vs Wrong Side

Haley asked how you can tell the right side (RS) from the Wrong side (WS), here's my tips...

1. Many times the pattern will tell you. "Row 1 (RS)....

or assume the RS is the side of Row 1 unless the pattern tells you....

or it may say, "mark this row as RS" (it might be an even numbered row)....

If you are assuming that row 1 is the RS, then all odd numbered rows will also be on the RS. Conversely then, all the even numbered rows are the WS.

2. If you are right handed, and you use a traditional ch foundation row, your tail end of the yarn will be on the LEFT when you are looking at the RS of the fabric. The tail will be on the RIGHT if you are looking at the WS of the fabric. When you are trying to keep track of the number of rows worked, if the tail is on the left edge, you know you are working on an odd numbered row.

Of course, this is opposite if you are left handed. If you are left handed, the tail will be on the RIGHT edge if you are looking at the RS of the fabric. The tail will be on the LEFT edge if you are looking at the WS of the fabric. When you are trying to keep track of the number of rows worked, if the tail is on the right edge, you know you are working on an odd numbered row.

However, if you are working a foundationless beginning row, like the Foundation sc row, if you are right handed, the tail will be on the right edge when you are on odd numbered rows/if row 1 is the RS. If you are left handed, the tail will be on the left edge when you are on odd numbered rows/if row 1 is the RS.

3. If you are doing a row repeating pattern, the RS is either row 1, or the row the pattern tells you is the right side. If it is a repeating pattern in rows, and hence, you are turning every row, then the right side/wrong side doesn't matter until you choose one side to be the RS when you are putting on the edging.

3. Which leads me to.... most edgings are worked in rounds on the RS, so if you see the edging's RS, then it is the RS of the project. Sometimes, however, edgings are turned, then it doesn't matter which side is the RS and which is the WS.

Unless... the row repeat has relief or raised stitches like popcorns, bobbles and post stitches, because those will likely, generally, always be on the RS of the fabric, because otherwise, what's the point in putting on texture if it's going to be on the WS?

4. When looking at an individual stitch:

SC: the RS of a sc has two legs that point downward into a "V" formation. on the WS of a sc, the legs are shoulder width apart (haha), I mean the legs are splayed like an upside down 'V'.

HDC: The RS of the fabric, the st looks like....hmmm, I don't have a photo.... and on the WS of the fabric, the hdc has a horizontal bar that goes across the top of the stitch.

Why does this matter? Because you want to weave in your ends on the WS. Also, when making a garment, you want all the RS to be facing out for the world to see (the public side), and the WS will be on the inside facing the body (the private side).

And this is a long answer to a short question. Cheers!