Learning to knit can be a fun and relaxing hobby that allows you to create a variety of handmade items like decorations, household items, and garments. It all comes down to choosing the right knitting stitches. Whether you want to make a scarf, sweater, or dishcloth, there’s a whole array of stitches to explore, opening the door to a universe of handmade wonders.
Just a heads-up: this post may contain affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for your support!
As briefly mentioned above, a ton of knit patterns and designs utilize various types of knitting stitches. These stitches can range from simple ones like knit and purl stitches to more intricate ones that create complex designs, such as the Honeycomb Cable Stitch, Diamond Lattice, and many more. You can find a complete list of these stitches below.
So, if you’ve gathered a knit pattern that calls for any of these stitches and need help executing them flawlessly, we’re here today to guide and walk you through the tutorials on how to knit them. Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than you think. With the proper guidance and constant practice, you’ll achieve these stitches perfectly in no time.
Get your supplies ready, choose some soft and luscious yarn, and let’s get started. Before we dive into the list of stitches, check out our FAQ section for some general guidance and assistance. This section will answer your burning questions and provide all the information you need. Now that we’ve caught you up to speed, let’s begin with the basics.
Starting Off With Knit And Purl Stitches
Understanding the basics can be as soothing as a cup of hot cocoa on a cold, rainy day for those new to this exciting craft. The journey to mastering this craft starts with the knowledge of these stitches that form the foundation of countless cozy creations. Most, if not all, of these knits are made through a combination of two key stitches: the knit and purl stitches!
The knit (k) and purl (p) stitches are the backbones of every knit project and often the first 2 stitches that beginners learn. They’re also super easy to do! So, before getting into the list of stitch designs, let’s address the two primary stitches with step-by-step instructions.
The Knit (k) Stitch
Step 1: Begin with your cast-ons on your left-hand needle. If you need help with cast-on methods, check out our FAQ for tutorials.
Step 2: Place the right-hand needle in between the first and second cast-on stitches. Then, insert it into the center of the loop of the first stitch on your left needle. When done correctly, your right-hand needle should be placed underneath the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Grab the working yarn and wrap it around the right-hand needle clockwise.
Step 4: Now that you’ve formed a loop on the needle, pull the working yarn toward you, making it situated between the left and right-hand needles.
Step 5: Grab your right-hand needle and draw that loop of yarn down and through the stitch on the left-hand needle. Your right-hand needle should now be placed above the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Finally, slide your right-hand needle to the right until the new knit (k) stitch slips off the left needle.
The Purl (p) Stitch
Step 1: Begin with your cast-ons on your left-hand needle. Check out our FAQ for tutorials if you need help with cast-on methods.
Step 2: Grab your right-hand needle, and from the side, push it through the loop of your first stitch on your left-hand needle. When done correctly, your right-hand needle should be placed on top of your left-hand needle.
Step 3: Throw the working yarn over the body of the right-hand needle, ensuring that it is placed in front of the needle.
Step 4: Grab the working yarn and wrap it on the right-hand needle from the back to the front in a counterclockwise motion.
Step 5: Pull the right-hand needle out by gently pushing it through the loop. If done correctly, the right-hand needle should be placed below the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Finally, pull the right-hand needle to slide the new purl (p) stitch off from the left-hand needle.
FAQs Regarding Knitting Stitches
1. What are the supplies needed to knit?
To start knitting, you will need to prepare the essentials beforehand. These knitting items can be bought from your local craft stores or online. If you can’t get your hands on them, try Knitting Kits on Amazon to get you started. Otherwise, here’s what you’ll need to prepare:
– Yarn in your desired color(s)
– Knitting needles
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Crochet hook to pick up dropped stitches (optional)
2. What is the best yarn to start with?
To choose the ideal yarn, you’ll first need to address a few factors, such as your needle size, budget, desired texture, and personal preference. Nevertheless, the best knitting yarns to work with would, hands down, be cotton or bamboo blends and wool. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, durable, and stretchy. Not to mention, incredibly easy to work with!
However, before choosing the right yarn, you also need to consider Yarn Weight. It heavily influences the thickness of your projects and knit stitches and identifies the appropriate needle size. Ideally, you can choose worsted or DK-weight yarn as they offer breathability and a faster-paced project to work with.
3. How do I cast on my knitting stitches?
Like crocheting, casting on in knitting simply means creating the first loops of yarn on your needle. It’s the first step to knitting any stitches, and there are various ways of doing it. It just depends on your preference. They’re effortless to learn, and you can start by following these tutorials:
– Long-tail cast-on: Ideal for beginners because it is stretchy, lays flat, and is a popular two-strand cast-on.
– Knitted cast-on: A versatile cast-on method that creates a slightly stretchy edge.
– Backwards loop cast-on: Simplest method and used to cast on new stitches to an existing project.
4. How do I cast off my knitting stitches?
Now that you’ve learned how to cast on, you’ll need to bind off your stitches at the end of the knitting by casting off. It also helps you to secure the edges of your knitted projects to prevent your stitches from unraveling. There are several ways to cast off, and we’ll provide you with tutorials to help you.
– Standard cast-off: This is the easiest method but not very stretchy. It matches the long-tail cast-on method.
– Stretchy cast-off: Like its name, it’s super stretchy and looks like a chained edge.
– Sewn cast-off: It’s a great alternative to the standard cast-off. It’s stretchy and matches the long-tail cast-on method.
– Three-needle cast-off: A great way to get live stitches off two needles, simultaneously binding off and joining the seam.
– I-cord cast-off: Creates a neat, sturdy edge that runs horizontally across your last row.
What’s Next?
- Begin learning these easy knitting stitches, and tag us on Facebook and Instagram @madefromyarn to show us your completed work!
- Save this post on your Pinterest board for later.
- Join our community to learn more tips and tricks from other seasoned knitters.
- If you’re a beginner looking to venture into knitting garments, try out our collection of Knit Hat Patterns and Scarf Knitting Patterns.
- For those who are experienced in this craft, jump on more challenging designs, like these gorgeous Cardigan Knitting Patterns, Sweater Knitting Patterns, and Blanket Knitting Patterns.
Get Started With These 52 Knitting Stitches For Knit Projects
Now that we’ve covered all the fundamentals of knitting with knit and purl stitches, explore these 52 types of knitting stitches to kickstart your knit projects! The list includes simple stitches like ribbing and moss stitching to more complex ones like chevron and cable stitches.
Happy knitting!
The Garter Stitch
This is the first stitch that you’ll learn as a beginner. It’s a 1-row repeat, meaning you will knit every row with knit stitches. Of course, you can also choose to purl every row, if you prefer. It’s stretchy, lies flat, and is a reversible knitting pattern.
The Stockinette Stitch
The Stockinette Stitch, also known as the “stocking stitch,” is a popular, easy, and common stitch. It’s a 2-row repeat and produces a gorgeous, flexible texture for your projects. It’s also made by stitching alternating rows of knit and purls, which results in a smooth “V” pattern.
The Reverse Stockinette Stitch
Like its name, it is the reverse side of the stockinette stitch pattern. It’s a flat knitting design, and instead of producing smooth “V” patterns, the reverse stitch produces bumpy textures on the fabric. It’s straightforward to make.
The Double Stockinette Stitch
This lovely knitting pattern is a 2-stitch repeat and reversible. Unlike the regular Stockinette stitch, this stitch doesn’t curl at the edges and produces a soft, thick, squishy, and airy fabric. It is perfect for making scarves, especially.
The Seed Stitch
Made by alternating knit and purl stitches in each row, you’ll produce a beautifully textured pattern called the Seed Stitch. It’s a 2-stitch repeat, and the design creates a bumpy fabric that replicates “seeds.”
The Moss Stitch
The Moss Stitch stitching pattern also goes by American and Irish Moss Stitch. This gorgeous textured design is a 4-row repeat knitting stitch that consists of alternating knit and purl stitches. It’s reversible and lays flat.
The Double Moss Stitch
The Double Moss stitch is a variant of the Moss stitch stitching design. Also known as the Double Seed, Double Irish Moss, Two Stitch Check, and Box Stitch, this pattern is a 4-row repeat design, lays flat, and is reversible.
The Waffle Stitch
Here’s an irresistible knit stitch called the Waffle Stitch. It’s a 4-row repeat pattern that is great for beginners to try, and it produces a nice, squishy texture on your fabric. It’s not a reversible pattern and lays flat.
The Herringbone Stitch
Here’s another 2-row repeat pattern that is called the Herringbone Stitch. It creates a stunning, textured pattern that is made through casting on multiples of two stitches, worked over in two rows, and repeated over the entire project.
The 1x1 Rib Stitch
To make the 1x1 Rib Stitch, you’ll knit alternating knit and purls across the row. This 2-stitch repeat pattern produces a super stretchy, reversible, ribbed texture to your fabric. It’s an easy-level stitch, and you will be casting on a multiple of two.
The 2x2 Rib Stitch
This is similar to the 1x1 Rib Stitch. Instead, this 4-stitch repeat pattern alternates two knits and purls in each row. It produces beautiful 3D vertical stripes that are stretchy, elastic, and perfect for hems and cuffs.
The Broken Rib Stitch
The Broken Rib Stitch is a 2-row repeat, resulting in gorgeous columns of the Stockinette Stitch sandwiched between the Garter Stitch. It produces lots of texture with minimum effort, and it’s a 2-in-1 stitch because the wrong side of this pattern is the Sand Stitch.
The Sand Stitch
Have you ever seen such cute knitting stitches? The Sand Stitch is a 2-row repeat and a beginner-level project. It creates subtly nubby and bumpy textures and is not reversible. As mentioned above, the wrong side produces the Broken Rib Stitch.
The Fisherman's Rib
This reversible knitting pattern is a simple 2-row repeat design that creates a stretchy, thick fabric. It looks similar to Brioche, but it’s easier to work with. So, if you can’t get the hang of Brioche, try knitting this stitch instead.
The Seeded Rib Stitch
The Seeded Rib Stitch is a 4-stitch repeat pattern. It’s a reversible design that produces a squishy and stretchy fabric. It is made with columns of Seed Stitches between columns of ribbing.
The Star Stitch
This 4-row repeat pattern creates a beautiful lace stitch. It’s a textured pattern that is worked over a multiple of two and is not reversible. It’s excellent for beginners to learn, and the fabric is solid and durable.
The Linen Stitch
The Linen Stitch is a super easy stitch pattern that creates a beautiful woven effect and dense fabric that holds very firmly, making it great for dishcloths. It’s a beginner 2-row repeat pattern and is made from slipped stitches. The reverse side of this linen stitch is the tweed stitch.
The Tweed Stitch
Here’s another beginner stitch pattern called the Tweed Stitch. It’s a classic knitting pattern that creates a pebble-like effect on the fabric, making it durable and ideal for washcloths. It’s a 2-row repeat and reversible. The reverse side of the tween stitch is the linen stitch.
The Rice Stitch
The Rice Stitch features a basic texture pattern that is bumpy on the front and creates simple ribbing on the back. It’s a 2-row pattern, and it’s easy to do. Due to its nubby texture, it is ideal for scrubbing.
The Hurdle Stitch
The Hurdle Stitch is a beginner pattern that is great for those looking to expand beyond the Garter and Stockinette stitch. It’s a 4-row repeat that lays flat and is reversible. Not to mention, it creates a very stretchy fabric, too.
The Basket Weave Stitch
This simple pattern is a beginner stitch design that uses simple knits and purls. Alternate between the two set of stitches to form a gorgeous knitting material that looks like a woven basket.
The Bubble Stitch
Isn’t this stitch adorable? The Bubble Stitch, also known as Bubble Wrap, Air Bobble, 3D Bubbles, Dimple, and Chickadee Bubble stitch, is a 12-row repeat pattern that is not reversible. It’s similar to the bobble stitch, just made looser, and the design is three-dimensional.
The Trinity Stitch
Also known as the Raspberry or Blackberry Stitch, the Trinity Stitch is a 4-row repeat pattern. It creates adorable bobble textures on the fabric and replicates a berry-like effect. It’s an intermediate project, and you’ll increase and decrease to raise the texture.
The Garter Rib Stitch
This is a variant of the Garter Stitch, and it’s a 2-row repeat. Though it’s not a reversible pattern, it’s still a relatively simple stitch, and the tutorial provides detailed instructions on how to knit for beginners.
The Seersucker Stitch
Speaking of 8-row repeat knitting stitches, here’s another one that falls in that category. The Seersucker stitch is great for beginner knitters because it’s easy, quick, and constructed from purl and knit stitches.
The Andalusian Stitch
This 4-row repeat stitch creates subtle textures on the fabric by combining knit and purls to create a raised pattern. It is not a reversible pattern, and the edges curl. However, add a Garter or Seed stitch for the borders to make it lay flat.
The Granite Stitch
This 4-row repeat pattern is an intermediate knit project. However, it’s easy to remember and uses increases and decreases to create a textured ridged effect on the fabric. This stitch is perfect for knit projects such as placemats and blankets.
The Beaded Rib Stitch
The Beaded Rib Stitch takes a twist to the 1x1 Rib Stitch. It’s an easy pattern that can be memorized quickly and a 2-row pattern. It’s made out of columns of Garter Stitch in every fourth column, giving the fabric an interesting change in texture.
The Caterpillar Stitch
The Caterpillar Stitch, or the Vertical Dash, is a 2-row repeat pattern that adds lovely textures to your fabric. It looks pretty similar to the zigzag rib stitch but both knitting methods are different.
The Zigzag Rib Stitch
Though this stitch is a little challenging for beginners, it’s still a beautifully textured design that creates a voluminous, stretchy fabric with a 3D effect. It’s a non-reversible 2-row repeat pattern.
The Chevron Seed Stitch
The Chevron Seed Stitch knitting pattern creates a beautiful graphic texture on the fabric. It’s a 4-row repeat and is not a reversible design. It’s an easy stitch constructed by knit stitches and purls.
The Chevron Rib Stitch
The Chevron Rib Stitch is one of the many favorite stitches knitters use. This is because it lays flat, and the pattern is reversible. It creates a lovely thick zigzag texture on the fabric and an 8-row repeat design.
The Diagonal Seed Stitch
The Diagonal Seed Stitch is a 6-row repeat pattern slightly different from the classic Seed Stitch, and it has bumps or seed-like texture in diagonal rows on a Stockinette Stitch background. It’s a great project for adventurous beginners.
The Purl Ridge Stitch
Purl Ridge Stitches uses a raised row or purl bumps to create horizontal textures of the fabric. This 4-row repeat pattern is easy to construct, and it’s an excellent way for beginners to practice tension by alternating the rows of knit and purl stitches.
The Double Fleck Stitch
The Double Fleck Stitch is a 4-row repeat that is not reversible and is worked on a multiple of six plus four cast-on. It has vertical columns on a Stockinette background, and the pattern is made from knit and purl stitches.
The Entrelac Stitch
This incredible knitting technique creates gorgeous interwoven squares that resemble a basket weave. It’s designed by making interlocking rectangles, one after another, and it’s a relatively easy pattern.
The Garter Checkerboard Stitch
The Garter Checkerboard Stitch is such a stunning yet simple knit pattern. It’s a 14-row repeat, and it’s relatively easy to make. It’s made of knit and purls, and it’s a reversible and stretchy design.
The Lattice Cable Stitch
Here are the 6-10 row repeat knitting stitches. Starting off with the Lattice Cable Stitch. This is an 8-row repeat pattern, lays flat, and is not reversible. It’s a beautiful woven design with a diagonal interlocked pattern.
The Pique Rib Stitch
Here’s a stitch pattern with three stitch pattern repeats and a 4-row repeat. It’s a versatile pattern, not a reversible stitch pattern. Not only that, it creates lovely symmetrical textures on the fabric.
The Simple Seed Stitch
The Simple Seed Stitch is a variant of the classic Seed Stitch. The only difference is that the seeds on the fabric are more spread out for a minimalistic and modern aesthetic. It’s an 8-row repeat design with a Stockinette stitch background with alternating rows of raised purl seed stitches.
The Vertical Herringbone Stitch
Unlike the classic Herringbone Stitch, which is a 2-row repeat, this Vertical Herringbone Stitch is a 4-row repeat pattern. This stitch features columns of zigzag motifs made by increasing and decreasing stitches. It’s an intermediate project but fun to learn.
The Bamboo Ribbing Stitch
Want to add depth and dimension to your knits? Try the Bamboo Ribbing Stitch, which is a 12-row repeat pattern made through alternating knit and purls to create those lovely ribbed effects. It’s not a reversible design, and it curls, so add some light blocking to lay it flat.
The Diagonal Chevron Zigzag Stitch
The Diagonal Chevron Zigzag Stitch is also known as the Rib and Welt Diagonals. It’s a 16-row repeat pattern with a bold graphic design to the fabric. It’s a reversible pattern that lays flat; however, if the sides curl a little, just add some light blocking to them.
The Diamond Lattice Stitch
Let’s move on to the 12 and more row repeat knitting stitches. The Diamond Lattice Stitch pattern is a 12-row repeat design that is great for beginners, and it is a gorgeous textured stitch; it’s pretty easy to make and features cable stitches to create diamond-shaped motifs.
The Long Raindrops Stitch
Here is another 8-row repeat stitch pattern that is reversible and lays flat. It’s made by stitching alternating rows of 1x1 rib stitches, creating elongated vertical lines that resemble long raindrops, hence its name.
The Alternating Bubble Stitch
Speaking of 12-row repeat knitting stitches, the Alternating Bubble Stitch is worked up fairly quickly, and it’s an easy project for beginners to try. Like many knit patterns, it’s only constructed with the knit and purls.
The Feather And Fan Stitch
The Feather and Fan stitch, also known as the Old Shale pattern or Old Shell, creates a pretty scalloped pattern and a lace knitting pattern. It’s a 4-row repeat pattern that’s great for beginners.
The Pennant Stitch
Learn how to knit the Pennant Stitch, which is a 6-row repeat pattern. It’s also a reversible design that lays flat, so there’s no need to add edges. It’s made from a combination of purl and knit stitches, creating a horizontal motif to the fabric.
The Flag Stitch
The Flag Stitch is also a 6-row repeat pattern that is reversible and lays almost flat! It has little flag motifs, and it looks gorgeous on both sides. However, since it doesn’t completely lay flat, you can add some light blocking to it.
The Tile Squares Stitch
The Tile Squares Stitch is an 8-row repeat pattern with two different rows, creating a lovely grid-like texture on your fabric. It’s great for beginners to try because it’s simple to do. Just cast on multiples of five plus four stitches and follow the tutorial.
The Honeycomb Cable Stitch
This is one of the most stunning stitches on the list. The Honeycomb Cable Stitch is an 8-row repeat pattern that is not reversible, and it creates a lovely 3D effect with interlocking textures.
The Celtic Cable Heart Stitch
Finally on the list of knitting stitches is this beautiful and gorgeous Celtic Cable Heart Stitch. It’s an intermediate 12-row repeat pattern with a lovely interlocking design in vertical panels. Though it looks intimidating, this tutorial will teach you everything you need to know.