12 Simple Knitting Stitches For Beginners
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.This post includes 12 simple knitting stitches for beginners, including garter stitch, stockinette stitch, and ribbing.
Nearly all of the stitches in this collection, which are all knit and purl stitches, can be used for beginner patterns.
A great way to practice your knitting lessons is to swatch up these easy stitch patterns to get started.
Easy Knitting Stitches
From new knitters to the more advanced, having the knowledge of how to knit these 12 stitch patterns is important.
Mastering these stitches will allow you to explore various knitting patterns and give you the ability to add texture to your projects.
From scarves, hats, and baby blankets, many of these stitches are used time and time again.
Related Post: How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners (+ Video Tutorial)
Learning To Knit
Learning how to knit can sometimes seem a little overwhelming and often people give up in frustration.
But if you practice with small swatches until you are ready to tackle your first pattern, then you will find the process much easier.
Knowing these easy knitting stitches will after some practice have you knitting like a pro in a few weeks!
What is the easiest thing to knit first time?
The easiest thing to knit for the first time is a simple scarf or a dishcloth.
These projects typically use basic stitches like garter stitch (knit every row), which helps beginners practice knitting without needing to follow complex patterns.
They’re straightforward, and the repetitive motion allows you to build confidence and improve your tension as you learn.
Related Post: How To Knit – A Complete Beginner’s Guide
How To Start Knitting
If you are new to knitting and are still learning how to knit, and which loop to start with you would benefit from the following posts and video tutorials;
- Knitting For Beginners -The Complete Guide Step-By-Step
- How to knit seed stitch
- How to cast on knitting
- Knitting cast on methods
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- Knitting tools for beginners {the essentials}
- Yarn weight guide (+ conversion chart)
- Knitting terms and abbreviations (US and UK)
- How To Make A Slip Knot
What Is Easy To Knit For Beginners?
Many beginner knitters like to start with fairly easy patterns, such as garter stitch (which has rows of knit stitches) scarves or stockinette stitch blankets.
Ribbing is used for hems, cuffs, neck bands, and waistbands on socks, sweaters, and other garments.
You can take a look at these easy knitting patterns for beginners that include stitch patterns with a combination of knits and purls, and choose your first project!
What Are The Different Knitting Stitches?
Here are 12 simple different types of knitting stitches that you will need to know.
From garter stitch, purl, and stockinette stitch – which are commonly used in most patterns to variations of other knit and purl stitch patterns.
You can also try out the moss stitch, ribbing, and basketweave stitch.
The video tutorials below show the patterns worked using the English method and are right-handed.
Related Posts:
Grab Your Ebook
See the stitch patterns below or grab your inexpensive E-book with all 12 stitch patterns here.
And take a look at my 12 Beginner Pumpkin Knitting Patterns Ebook here.
You may also be interested in this post – 8 Cable Stitch Knitting Patterns.
The pattern instructions below range from the easiest stitches to stitch patterns with more complexity.
Some of the first stitches you will learn are garter stitch, purl stitch, and stockinette stitch.
Those knit stitch patterns are crucial to anyone starting their knitting journey.
What Is Symmetry?
- Each row will involve a set of stitches (the multiple) but the stitches may be worked a little differently in order to create the pattern.
- This just means that extra stitches are needed to keep everything balanced (symmetrical) but the extra stitches are not part of the actual stitch pattern.
- Most times the extra stitches are done at the beginning and/or the end of the row and lots of times they help form the selvedge (the edge).
- For example, the moss stitch pattern requires you – For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2 + 1 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
- 1st row (right side of work): K1 (edge), *K1, P1*; repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K1, then K1 (edge).
- So you could cast on 15 sts – K1 edge, work K1, P1 for 12 sts, then K1, then k1 for the edge.
- Or 27 sts – K1 edge, work K1, P1 for 24 sts, then K1, then k1 for the edge.
Knitting Abbreviations
- K – Knit
- P – Purl
- Rep – repeat
- St – Stitch
- Sts – Stitches
Please note…
Where it says to work each stitch in the manner it presents – this means to knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches.
Resources and Tutorials That May Help You
- How To Cast On Knitting
- How To Cast Off Knitting For Total Beginners (Step by Step)
- How To Knit Garter Stitch
- Knitting Cast-On Methods
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns (how to read knitting patterns for beginners).
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to substitute yarn in a knitting pattern
Supplies
Please note – that you can practice these basic stitches with any yarn weight and pair of needles.
- 4 mm (US 6) Knitting Needles.
- Yarn – Rico Creative Cotton Aran
- Scissors/tape measure/yarn needle
- Crochet hook for any dropped stitches
Grab The Ad-Free PDF Ebook
1. Garter Stitch
This pattern can be worked on any number of stitches.
On two needles: Knit or purl all stitches.
The wrong side of the work looks the same as the right side.
Note – Take care when counting the rows.
On either side, you need to count the rows of knit that seem to be ‘inside’ as well as the alternate rows that seem to stand out.
To view more comprehensive step-by-step instructions including where to place the left hand needle and right hand needle please visit this blog post – How To Knit Garter Stitch For Beginners.
View the free garter stitch dishcloth pattern here – Dishcloth Knitting Patterns (To Practice Basic Knitting Stitches)
2. Stocking Stitch
This pattern can be worked on any number of stitches.
On two needles: 1st row (right side of work): Knit all stitches.
2nd row: Purl all stitches.
These last two rows form the pattern.
On four needles or in the round – Knit all stitches.
To view a more comprehensive step-by-step tutorial, including where to place the left needle and right-hand needle, please visit this blog post – How To Knit Stockinette Stitch For Beginners.
3. Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Purl)
This reverse stockinette (stocking) stitch pattern can be worked on any number of stitches.
On two needles: 1st row (right side of work): Purl all stitches.
2nd row: Knit all stitches.
These last 2 rows form the pattern.
On four needles or in the round – Purl all stitches, or simply use the wrong side of the stocking stitch fabric.
To view a more comprehensive step-by-step tutorial, including where to place the left needle and right needle, please visit this blog post – How To Knit The Purl Stitch For Beginners.
4. Moss Stitch
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2 + 1 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): K1 (edge), *K1, P1*; repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K1, then K1 (edge).
2nd row: As for the 1st row.
These last 2 rows form the pattern.
Alternate the sts on each row; that is knit the purl sts as they appear, and purl the knit sts.
How to knit on an even or odd number of stitches…
If you are working on an even or an odd number of stitches you can *knit one stitch, purl one stitch – *Repeating to the end of the row.
On the second row, you will create a *knit stitch on top of a purl stitch, and a purl stitch on top of a knit stitch – *Repeating until the end of the row.
This will create the small bumps you see in the stitch pattern.
5. Double Moss Stitch
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2 + 1 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): K1 (edge), *K1, P1*; repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K1, then K1 (edge).
2nd and 4th rows: Work each st in the manner that it presents.
3rd row: K1 (edge), *P1, K1*; repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, P1, then K1 (edge).
These last 4 rows form the pattern.
Alternate the sts every 2 rows.
View the free moss stitch dishcloth pattern here – Double Moss Stitch
How to knit on an even or odd number of stitches…
If you are working on an even or an odd number of stitches you can *knit one stitch, purl one stitch – *Repeating to the end of the row.
The second row – Repeat that first row again.
Then on the third row – you will create a *knit stitch on top of a purl stitch, and a purl stitch on top of a knit stitch – *Repeating until the end of the row.
Fourth row – Repeat row 3 again.
Make a dishcloth to practice this free pattern here – Irish moss stitch dishcloth knitting pattern.
You can also see the Irish moss stitch hat pattern here – Irish Moss Stitch Hat Pattern
6. 1/1 Rib
This rib stitch pattern is worked on an even number of stitches.
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): K1 (edge), *K1, P1*; repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K1, then K1 (edge).
2nd and following rows: Work each stitch in the manner it presents.
7. 2/2 Rib
This stitch pattern is worked on an even number of stitches.
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4 sts; you can add 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): K1 (edge), *K2, P2*; repeat from * to * to the last 3 sts, K2, then K1 (edge).
2nd and following rows: Work each stitch in the manner it presents.
8. 2/2 Garter Stitch Rib
This stitch pattern is worked on an even number of stitches (in multiples of 6).
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4 + 2 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): Knit all sts.
2nd row: K1 (edge), P2, *K2, P2*; repeat from * to * to last st, K1 (edge).
These last 2 rows form the pattern.
9. Broken Rib
This stitch pattern is worked on an even number of stitches.
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2 + 1 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): Knit all sts.
2nd row: *K1, P1*; repeat from * to * to last st.
These last 2 rows form the pattern.
10. Little Granite Stitch
This stitch pattern is worked on an even number of stitches.
For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4 + 3 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work): K1 (edge), *P3, K1*; repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, P3, then K1 (edge).
2nd and 4th rows: Work each st in the manner it presents.
3rd row: K1 (edge), *P1, K1, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, P1, K1, P1, then K1 (edge).
These last 4 rows form the pattern.
11. Basket Weave Stitch
This stitch pattern can be worked on an even number of stitches, working in multiples of 6, then adding 1 edge st at each end.
For symmetry, cast multiples of 6 + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work) and 7th rows: Knit all sts
2nd and 8th rows: Purl all sts.
3rd and 5th rows: K1 (edge), *K2, P4* rep from * to * to last 3 sts, K2, then K1 (edge).
4th, 6th, 10th, and 12th rows: Work each st in the manner it presents.
9th and 11th rows: K1 (edge), *P3, K2, P1*; rep from * to * to last 3 sts, P2, then K1 (edge).
These last 12 rows form the pattern.
12. Andalusian Stitch
For symmetry, cast on a multiple of 2 + 1 sts, + 1 edge st on each side.
1st row (right side of work) and 3rd rows: Knit all sts.
2nd row: Purl all sts.
4th row: K1 (edge), P1, *K1, P1*; rep from * to * to last st, K1 (edge).
These last 4 rows form the pattern.
Grab Your 12 Stitch Pattern Ebook Here
More Stitch Patterns
You can see more stitch patterns and techniques (some are advanced beginner and Intermediate) here…
- Knitting Stitches
- How To Knit The Linen Stitch (Tutorial + Pattern)
- Chevron Stitch – The Sea Glass Shawl Knitting Pattern
- 43 Lace Knitting Patterns (Easy Knit Stitches)
- Bamboo Stitch – Clutch Bag Pattern (Bamboo Stitch Knit)
- Fair Isle Knit Hat Pattern {With Chart}
- Fair Isle Hat Pattern | The Fir
- Diamond Knitting Pattern (Diamond Brocade Stitch)
- Slip Stitch Knitting (How To Slip Knit Stitches)
I hope this has helped you to learn the basic knitting stitches.
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Happy Knitting!
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