Back Loop Only (BLO)
back loop only is called the same thing in US and UK patterns, and suji-ami in Japanese ones. Written as BLO in patterns.
Working into only the far loop of the stitch below, leaving the near loop as a visible horizontal ridge on the front.
The Japanese name すじ編み (suji-ami) literally means "ridge knitting".
At a glance
| How many times you wrap the yarn first | none — go straight in |
|---|---|
| How tall it is | about the height of 1 chain |
| Turning chain at the start of a row | not usually needed |
| How it looks on a Japanese chart | standard symbol on a horizontal bar |
| Difficulty | beginner |
| Stitch family | technique |
What it is used for
- · Ribbed cuffs
- · Amigurumi shaping lines
- · Flat-bottomed baskets
Watch out for
Japanese charts distinguish すじ編み (always back loop) from うね編み (une-ami, back loop only on alternate rows, producing ribs). English patterns collapse both into 'BLO'.
A smooth aluminium or ergonomic hook in the size your pattern calls for.
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Related stitches
Full US to UK conversion table · Full US to Japanese table
Last updated 2026-08-30.