There are many different knitting stitches and patterns you can use to create garments, accessories and decorative projects. Some of the best known include garter stitch, stocking stitch, Fair Isle or jacquard knitting, seed stitch, moss stitch and garter ridge patterns. If you want to start and successfully complete your first knitting project, it is best to begin with an easy stitch. Garter stitch is one of the simplest techniques to learn. Discover the easiest knitting stitches for beginners and how to work them step by step.
Different types of knitting stitches
To knit a jumper, scarf, home accessory or decorative pattern, you can choose from a wide variety of knitting stitches. The right technique will depend on the type of project, the pattern you want to create, the finished look and your level of experience.
Examples of knitting stitches to know
Experienced knitters can use many different knitting stitches and patterns. Some are much easier to learn than others. Well-known examples include:
- Garter stitch,
- Stocking stitch,
- Jacquard knitting,
- Seed stitch,
- Chevron stitch,
- Single or double Andalusian stitch,
- Loop stitch,
- Pie crust stitch,
- Aster stitch,
- Bouclé stitch,
- Bubble stitch,
- Net stitch,
- Cross stitch,
- Shell stitch,
- Honeycomb stitch,
- Crocodile stitch,
- Checkerboard stitch,
- Bamboo stitch,
- Irish knitting patterns,
- Astrakhan stitch,
- Moss stitch,
- Brick stitch,
- Purse stitch,
- Caterpillar stitch,
- Brioche stitch,
- Circle stitch,
- Citrine stitch,
- Fence stitch,
- Devil stitch,
- Leaf stitch,
- Mesh stitch,
- Textured knitting stitches,
- Flag stitch,
- Fancy stitch,
- Leaf pattern,
- Fern stitch,
- Snowflake stitch,
- Fur stitch,
- Garter ridge pattern,
- Wild rose stitch,
- Bride stitch,
- Lattice stitch,
- Elongated stitch pattern,
- Lily of the valley stitch,
- Madeira stitch,
- Entrelac,
- Ice cream cone stitch,
- Dandelion stitch,
- Simple river stitch,
- Sand stitch,
- Furrow stitch,
- Wave stitch,
- Basketweave stitch,
- Smocking stitch,
- Etamine stitch,
- Triangle stitch,
- Tweed stitch,
- Diamond stitch,
- Ripple stitch,
- Barley stitch,
- Elastic stitch,
- Diagonal stitch,
- Thorn stitch,
- Star stitch,
- Fan stitch,
- Waffle stitch,
- German Herringbone Stitch,
- Grass stitch,
- Eyelet stitch,
- Diamond pattern,
- Mandarin stitch,
- Daisy stitch,
- Moiré stitch,
- Noughts and crosses pattern,
- Honeycomb pattern,
- Bobble stitch,
- Nop stitch,
- Cat's eye stitch,
- Butterfly stitch,
- Dotted stitch,
- Woven stitch,
- Tweed stitch,
- Linen stitch,
- Honeycomb stitch,
- Teepee stitch,
- Eiffel Tower stitch,
- Triangle stitch,
- Turkish stitch,
- Chinese wave stitch,
- Sandstorm stitch,
- Whelk stitch.
Rib stitches
Ribbing is also commonly used in knitting. Some popular variations include:
- 1x1 rib,
- 2x2 rib,
- Fisherman's rib,
- Horse rib,
- Pearl rib,
- Textured rib,
- False Fisherman's rib.
Lace and eyelet stitches
Lace and eyelet patterns are also frequently used in knitting. Depending on the project, you might come across:
- Jellyfish lace stitch,
- Leaf lace stitch,
- Cat's eye lace stitch,
- Open mesh stitch,
- Openwork embroidery stitch,
- Ice cream cone lace stitch,
- Semi-openwork stitch.
Good to know: There are plenty of online knitting tutorials that can help you learn these patterns step by step. If you are new to knitting, however, it is better to start with the easiest stitches first.
Knitting stitches for beginners: where should you start?
When learning to knit, it is best to start with an easy knitting stitch. Some of the simplest options are garter stitch, stocking stitch and basic ribbing. Here is how they work.
How to knit garter stitch
Garter stitch is one of the most basic and beginner-friendly knitting stitches. When knitting flat, you simply work every row in the same way, usually by knitting every stitch. This makes the pattern very easy to remember. To work garter stitch:
- Step 1: Cast the required number of stitches onto one knitting needle;
- Step 2: Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand and insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch;
- Step 3: Wrap the working yarn around the right-hand needle and draw it through to form a new stitch;
- Step 4: Slide the old stitch off the left-hand needle so the new stitch remains on the right-hand needle;
- Step 5: Repeat this process across the row, then continue in the same way for each following row.
How to knit stocking stitch
To work stocking stitch, you alternate rows of knit and purl stitches. Depending on which side you want to display, you can:
- Work standard stocking stitch by knitting every stitch on the first row, purling every stitch on the second row, and repeating these two rows.
- Work reverse stocking stitch by purling every stitch on the first row, knitting every stitch on the second row, and repeating these two rows.
Because it only requires knit and purl stitches, stocking stitch is one of the classic knitting patterns for beginners.
How to knit rib stitch
Ribbing is also relatively easy to learn. You simply alternate knit and purl stitches. Popular variations include:
- 1x1 rib: Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch and repeat to the end of the row. On the next row, work each stitch as it appears.
- 2x2 rib: Knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches and repeat to the end of the row. On the next row, work the stitches as they appear.
- Garter rib: Depending on the pattern, rows of knit stitches are combined with rows that alternate knit and purl stitches.
- Textured rib: Knit and purl stitches are combined in a set sequence and repeated over several rows.
Easy and original knitting stitches
Once you feel comfortable with the basics, you can try easy but slightly more decorative stitches such as seed stitch, moss stitch and garter ridge patterns.
How to knit seed stitch
Seed stitch is a textured knitting pattern that is still fairly easy to learn. To work it:
- On the first row, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch and repeat to the end;
- on the following row, purl every stitch that appears as a knit stitch and knit every stitch that appears as a purl stitch;
- continue repeating this principle for the rest of the project.
How to knit moss stitch
Moss stitch also alternates knit and purl stitches, but the pattern is offset after several rows rather than every row. One possible version is:
- Row 1: Knit 1, purl 1 and repeat;
- Rows 2 and 4: Work the stitches as they appear;
- Row 3: Purl stitches that appear as knit stitches and knit stitches that appear as purl stitches.
If you are working with an odd number of stitches, you can adjust the sequence accordingly:
- Begin and end Row 1 with a knit stitch;
- begin and end Rows 2 and 3 with a purl stitch;
- begin and end Row 4 with a knit stitch.
Garter ridge pattern
A garter ridge pattern is another simple way to continue building your knitting skills. One easy variation is worked as follows:
- Knit all stitches on Rows 1, 3, 4 and 6;
- purl all stitches on Rows 2 and 5;
- repeat these six rows throughout the project.
This pattern creates a textured surface with horizontal ridges and can be used for a wide range of small knitting projects.
In short, to learn most easy knitting stitches for beginners, you mainly need to know how to knit and purl. Once you feel comfortable with these two basic techniques, you can gradually move on to ribbing, seed stitch, moss stitch and many other creative patterns.
