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Right side means the face of fabric or finished work intended to be visible on the outside. Wrong side means the opposite face, usually hidden inside or at the back. In knitting and crochet patterns, RS and WS identify which face of the work a row is worked on—not a left-versus-right direction and not a judgment about quality.
The basic meaning
For sewing and quilting, the right side is the fabric face chosen to show in the completed garment, quilt, or other project. The wrong side is normally placed toward the interior or back. This textile definition is also recorded in Wiktionary’s “right side” entry.
“Right” does not mean morally correct, and “wrong” does not mean unattractive or unusable. A reversible cloth can have two suitable public faces; the maker decides which one is the intended exterior.
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RS and WS in knitting and crochet patterns
Pattern abbreviations use RS for the designated right-side face and WS for the designated wrong-side face. Instructions can differ between RS and WS rows, so keeping track of the face is essential. These labels describe the orientation of the work, not which hand, edge, or direction is “right.” See the Knittingtips.net definition and marking advice.
How to recognize each side
Printed or finished fabric
Compare the print, color saturation, texture, sheen, or surface finish. Designs are often clearer or brighter on the right side, while the reverse may look duller or show the pattern faintly. This is a useful clue, not a universal rule: some woven and homespun fabrics look almost identical on both faces. References: Bonetti Patterns and AllPeopleQuilt.
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Stockinette knitting
The conventional right side usually shows neat V-shaped knit stitches. The reverse shows horizontal purl bumps. A designer can deliberately make the purl face public, however, so follow the pattern’s stated orientation rather than relying only on appearance. The visual distinction is described by Knittingtips.net and NobleKnits.
Garter, seed stitch, and reversible designs
Both faces may look the same or equally attractive. In that situation, the pattern’s first-row convention determines the RS; if no convention is given, choose the face you want displayed and keep that choice consistent.
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Place the two selected visible faces against each other before stitching. After the pieces are sewn and turned, the seam allowances will be inside and the chosen right sides will face outward. If one fabric face is hard to distinguish, mark it before cutting or sewing.
How to keep track when the faces look alike
- Check the pattern for an explicit RS/WS or “public side” instruction.
- Choose the face you want visible when the instructions leave the choice open.
- Mark that face at the beginning with a safety pin, stitch marker, or scrap of contrasting yarn.
- Recheck the marker whenever you turn the work, especially before starting a row labeled RS or WS.
A marker is an aid, not a requirement; any secure, removable indicator works.
Context matters
| Context | What the term identifies | Typical clue | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sewing or quilting fabric | The face intended to be visible in the finished project | Clearer print, color, texture, or finish | Some cloth is nearly identical on both sides |
| Knitting or crochet instructions | The designated face of the work and row orientation | Stockinette V stitches versus purl bumps | Reversible stitches may have no visually obvious preferred face |
Why the terminology can be confusing
“Right side” can also be used for an edge or a part of a stitch, so the intended meaning depends on the sentence and the craft. Knitting author June Hemmons Hiatt notes that “many knitted fabrics have no ‘wrong side’
” and discusses using “inside” and “outside,” or “Side A” and “Side B,” when those terms are clearer. Read her explanation in “About Those Names.”
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