Learning the stockinette stitch is essential to help you become a great knitter. Our pattern for the stockinette stitch will teach you each step in learning one of the most important stitches in knitting.
Read on for about our pattern and tips and tricks!
As a beginning knitter, I was so happy to learn that I could make many things with just two stitches, knit and purl. I happily knitted away for quite some time before learning to purl.
Then I learned to alternate the two. Little did I know, as I played with stitches, that I managed to happen upon a very important part of knitting, the stockinette stitch!
What Is The Stockinette Stitch?
One of the most basic, and most important, stitches that you need to know for kitting is the stockinette stitch.
Sometimes called the stocking stitch, it is such a basic part of knitting that it can be difficult to even find patterns or explanations of what it is exactly and how to knit it.
In fact, it is so basic, you likely already use it without even realizing it! But, we’re going to break it down here, just to make sure you know it, because you will be using it for as long as you knit.
The first thing anyone learns to do when learning to knit is the knit stitch. When you repeat just the knit stitch row after row, you have what is called the garter stitch.
After mastering the knit stitch, beginners learn the purl stitch. Purling row after row also results in the garter stitch.
It’s what happens when you alternate rows of the knit and purl stitches that we’re talking about here-the stockinette stitch!
Photo: Lion Brand
So Simple And Versatile
The stockinette stitch is used for just about any project you can think of making. And even though you will likely learn and use other stitches along the way, you will always come back to the stockinette stitch, simply because of its versatility!
In fact, check out our pattern for a stockinette stitch hat!
More than that though, you can knit washcloths/dishcloths, afghans, scarves, socks! Because it is so easy to work, you can easily adapt it to whatever project you’re working on, or want to work on.
Because you only need to know basic knit and purl stitches, the stockinette stitch is considered basic, beginner skill level.
Stockinette Stitch Curling
One fact you simply cannot get away from with the stockinette stitch, is its tendency to curl as you knit along. It will happen.
You can use other stitches to counteract the curling, such as the garter stitch, or you can use the curling to your advantage with certain patterns. Sometimes the arms of sweaters or hems look great with a slight roll!
Photo: Spruce Crafts
But even with that issue, the overwhelming number of possibilities with this stitch is why you will keep using it. The end result is a nice and simple look that resembles a machine knit fabric, with rows of “V’s.”
The “wrong” side, or reverse stockinette, creates a bumpy, ridged look instead. Either end result can work, depending on the look you are going for!
You can embellish with beading or embroidery, change up the colors of the yard and much more to keep it interesting.
How to Knit the Stockinette Stitch
The pattern for this stitch is super simple and easy.
Cast on. Any number of stitches will do.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Repeat.
To end-simply end the row and bind off.
For more knitting stiches tutorials, check out these 10 knitting stitches for beginners.
How To Knit Stockinette Stitch In The Round
To create the stockinette stitch in the round, you simply knit each row. It works out differently here, due to the nature of working in the round.