Knitting consists of creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn known as stitches. These stitches are held and worked using knitting needles, allowing you to create a wide variety of textures and patterns. To make knitted pieces such as jumpers, booties, scarves, cardigans, sweaters or socks, it is useful to understand the different types of knitting and knitting techniques. Want to learn how to knit? Before looking at the main types of knitting, let’s first see what a stitch is.
What is a knitting stitch?
1. A stitch pattern: this describes the way stitches or loops are worked together. Examples include knit stitch, purl stitch, garter stitch and many more.
2. A stitch: this is an individual loop of yarn.
3. A row: this is a line made up of several stitches worked alongside one another.
A stitch is, by definition, an individual loop of yarn. It consists of a head, legs and feet and has two sides: the right side, where the legs of the stitches are more visible, and the wrong side, where the heads and feet are more noticeable. Depending on how the fabric is produced, different types of stitches can be used, including weft-knit stitches, warp-knit stitches, purl stitches, slipped stitches, twisted stitches, dropped stitches, knit-below stitches and transferred stitches.
The way stitches are formed makes it possible to create different types of knitting and patterns such as stocking stitch, jacquard, Fisherman’s rib and 2x2 ribbing.
Good to know: Stocking stitch is one of the simplest basic knitting patterns. It is worked using a regular stitch structure to create a smooth and even fabric.
What are the different types of knitting?
Knitted fabrics can be produced using different stitch constructions and techniques, including weft knitting, warp knitting, tuck stitches, transferred stitches and elongated stitches. One of the most important distinctions is between weft knitting and warp knitting.
Weft knitting
Weft knitting is created by forming repeated loops across the width of the fabric. These loops interlock and build up the fabric row by row. The yarn generally runs across the fabric, perpendicular to the vertical columns of stitches.
Weft knitting can be produced using circular knitting machines or by hand. It can generally be unravelled relatively easily. This technique is commonly used for jumpers and socks. Common weft-knit structures include stocking stitch, Fisherman’s rib, interlock and 1x1 ribbing. Weft-knitted fabrics can be produced either flat or as seamless tubes.
Warp knitting
In warp knitting, chains of loops are formed lengthways and connected across the width of the fabric. Multiple yarns run vertically along the stitch columns.
Warp knitting is mainly carried out by machine and may involve a very large number of stitch columns. Common structures include charmeuse, satin and atlas constructions. This technique is often used to produce flat knitted fabrics.
Knitting with transferred stitches
In transferred-stitch knitting, a stitch is moved between two nearby needles. It can be transferred to an opposing needle bed or shifted to the left or right on the same bed. This technique can create openwork or raised structures such as diagonal patterns, chevrons, cables and diamonds.
Warp knitting with inserted weft yarns
With this technique, vertical chains of warp-knit stitches are connected using additional yarns running across the fabric. It therefore combines characteristics of warp and weft structures.
Purl-knit structures
A purl-knit structure is created using alternating areas of knit and purl stitches. This can produce contrasting or reversed patterns on the two sides of the fabric.
Knitting with elongated stitches
Elongated stitches are created when certain stitches remain on the needle for one or more rows while other needles or stitches continue to work. This produces longer stitches and distinctive textures.
Knitting with tuck stitches
Tuck stitches are formed when one or more yarns are held on an existing stitch rather than being fully knitted through. This technique can be used to create textured rib and brioche-style patterns.
Knitting with shifted stitches
In shifted-stitch knitting, stitches are moved to the left or right. This movement can be used to create diagonal lines and pronounced raised patterns.
Knitting with slipped stitches
In slip-stitch knitting, selected stitches are moved from one needle to the other without being worked. These stitches can therefore appear longer than the surrounding stitches. Slip stitches can be used to create textured patterns such as mosaic knitting. Depending on the pattern, they can also produce a slightly firmer fabric.
Knitting with twisted stitches
In twisted-stitch knitting, knit or purl stitches are worked through a different part of the stitch so that the loop becomes twisted.
Twisted stitches can add subtle visual texture and make the knitted fabric appear slightly tighter and more defined.
Knitting with dropped stitches
In dropped-stitch knitting, selected stitches are deliberately released or allowed to unravel. This can open up a vertical column and create a visible ladder-like effect in the fabric.
Knitting into stitches below
In knit-below techniques, a new stitch is worked into a stitch from a lower row or between existing knitted stitches. This can create distinctive lines and surface textures.
Depending on where these stitches are placed, they can produce small decorative details or textured effects across the knitted fabric.
Now that we have looked at different stitch structures and their characteristics, let’s explore the main techniques used in hand knitting.
The different hand-knitting techniques
Hand knitting can generally be divided into three main techniques: flat knitting, knitting in the round and finger knitting. Let’s take a closer look at each method.
Flat knitting
Flat knitting can be worked using two straight needles or a circular needle. It creates a flat piece of fabric and is especially useful for rectangular projects such as blankets, scarves and the front or back sections of a jumper.
At the end of each row, the work is turned. To create stocking stitch, for example, you knit one row and purl the next. For garter stitch, you can knit every row when working flat. This means the right and wrong sides of the work alternate as you progress.
Knitting in the round
Knitting in the round, also known as circular knitting, is worked using a set of double-pointed needles or a circular knitting needle. It creates a tubular fabric without a side seam, with the stitches worked continuously in rounds.
Circular knitting is particularly useful for hats, sleeves, mittens, socks and other tube-shaped projects.
Finger knitting
Finger knitting, as the name suggests, uses your fingers instead of knitting needles. The yarn is looped around and worked directly with the hands. This playful technique can be used to create cords and simple tubular structures.
