Every knitter, once they have learned to hold the knitting needles and knit, plans on crafting great projects. After they learn the knit stitch and basic technique to cast on, cast off, and weave in yarn ends, one can easily make their first projects say, for example, a scarf, a hat, or even a sweater. Knitting is based on two basic stitches - knit and purl. All other stitch patterns are a combination of these both. The stitch patterns are not dependent on the knitting needle type, which means you can knit any stitch with any single-pointed, double-pointed, fixed or interchangeable circular knitting needle. This is the same case for needle size, all patterns work from 2mm to almost 25mm knitting needles. Even for projects, from a small dishcloth to a wide blanket, a pair of socks to a sweater or cardigan, almost stitch patterns can be worked for any project.
To make things simpler for you, let us walk you through some of the most knitting stitch patterns that help you with creating some amazing projects.
1. Garter Stitch
The most basic stitch pattern that almost all knitters learn to knit and use for their first projects. The stitch pattern involves using the knit stitch for every row to create rows of consistent ridges that look the same on both sides. The stitch when worked in flat or either single points or circular needles follows the pattern of knit stitches every row. When knitting in the round with DPNs or circular needles, the pattern becomes alternate rows of knit and purl stitches as you always knit on the right side of the project.
2. Stocking (Stockinette) Stitch
The stockinette or ‘stocking’ stitch is another prevalent stitch type that is used in all kinds of projects from a pair of socks to a sweater. It involves alternating rows of knit and purl stitches. To work the stockinette stitch in flat rows, with straight or circular needles, the pattern is simply knit one row, purl the next row, and then repeat. This creates a ‘braided’ look on the RS (right side) and a ‘wavy’ look of rows on the WS (wrong side) with the entire fabric having stretchiness that works beautifully for all projects. If you’re knitting in the round with either a set of double-pointed needles or a circular needle, you knit every row. As you are always working on the right side of the project, you need not change the stitch. Any fabric made of stocking stitches has a natural curl which has a smooth effect in top of socks, cuffs of sweaters and necklines but for a flat fabric a border of garter or seed stitches is worked.
3. Reverse Stockinette Stitch
As the name suggests, this is the same as the stockinette stitch but in reverse. You alternate rows of purl stitches with knit stitches which create ridged rows on the front of the work and a braided pattern on the wrong side. Reverse stockinette in the round is all rounds of purl stitches.
4. Rib Stitch
The Rib Stitch, otherwise known as ribbing, involves the production of alternating columns of knit and purl stitches. To craft a 1x1 rib stitch, simply knit one stitch followed by purl one stitch, whereas to make a 2x2 rib stitch, knit two stitches then purl two stitches, and so on. This thicker ribbing is widely used for winter garments like chunky scarves, knitted shawl kits, and hats. It produces a highly elastic, textured fabric, so is ideal for cuffs and collars. For the best stitch definition, use yarn with a precise texture and avoid fuzzy yarns.
5. Broken Rib Stitch
The Broken Rib Stitch is a variation of classic ribbing, using the Seed Stitch in between the 1x1 rib columns to create a vertical zigzag pattern. It appears almost identical to regular ribbing but does not have the same degree of stretchiness. Furthermore, the rib stitch offers a huge selection of different variations, such as the Diagonal Rib Stitch, Beaded Rib Stitch, Spiral Rib Stitch, Chevron, Garter, and Pique.
6. Cable Stitch
The Cable Stitch, though seemingly complex, is in fact quite straightforward in its simplest form. The technique involves a vertical row of knit and purl stitches being twisted to create a cable shape, combined with other stitches to achieve more complex patterns and textures. Directions for knitting basic cables can be found in our guide on how to work cable knitting patterns. Besides knitting needles, the stitch pattern requires a cable needle. A few stitches are held to the front or back of the project on the cable needle or a double-pointed or stitch holder. When you knit out of turn, the stitches have a twisted effect.
7. Seed Stitch
Similar to ribbing, the Seed Stitch requires alternating between knit and purl stitches, but instead of producing neat columns, the Seed Stitch must be worked in a reversed sequence for each row. Therefore, one row of knit and purl stitches should be followed by the exact opposite. This will give the fabric a spotted or bumpy effect. Refer to our guide on how to knit seed stitch.
8. Moss Stitch
The Moss Stitch is related to the Seed Stitch, involving the same sequence of knit and purl stitches; however, the pattern must be reversed every two rows instead of each row.
9. Bamboo Stitch
The Bamboo Stitch involves a knit stitch, yarn overs, and slipped stitches to form a fabric with a woven-like look, beginning with the right side of the work and repeating a pattern of yarn over, two knitted stitches, yarn over, two knitted stitches and so on.
10. Basketweave Stitch
The Basketweave or 'Basket' Stitch is often used to add texture to a project, with alternating areas of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitches weaved between one another. A simple basketweave stitch pattern involves knitting four stitches, purling four stitches, and repeating this over four rows, followed by four rows in the reversed sequence to produce a woven basket effect. Numerous variations exist, such as the Diagonal Basketweave Stitch, Basket Loop Stitch, and Wide Basketweave Stitch.
11. Basic Lace Stitch
Lace knitting patterns are made with knit and purl stitches and other techniques to create artful holes in the fabric. Lace stitches include k2tog, yarn over and other methods of knitting increase and decrease. Lace knitting has hundreds of variations. Whichever variation you choose, you’ll need to learn to block your knitting to open up your lace stitchwork.
With these basic stitches, get ready to cast on projects. With KnitPro choose knitting needles and sets that best suit your knitting needs. From the smooth wood of Symfonie and Ginger to the vibrant colour-coded metals of Zing, natural bamboo to acrylic and special cubic needles & sets, explore knitting needles for beginners to advanced knitters.