Basic Knitting Stitches

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When you are learning how to knit the first stitches you need to master are the basic knitting stitches. These stitch patterns are usually the first ones that are learnt or mastered by beginners and can be used for a broad range of knitting projects.

 If you learn stocking stitch, garter stitch, moss stitch and simple ribbing you can begin to make some incredible items for you and your family.  

Basic Knitting Stitch Patterns - Stocking StitchStocking Stitch | © Deborah Mason & Knitting Naturally

Links to Tutorials for Basic Knitting Stitches

All of these stitch patterns use a simple combination of knit and purl stitches and can be used on their own or in combination with other knitting stitch patterns to make just about any knitted item in any pattern you like.

If you are still a beginner, practice these knitting stitch patterns until you can do them in your sleep (almost) and when you can control your tension and produce a consistent result you will be ready to tackle one of the more advanced knitting stitch patterns.

If you can master the knitting stitches on this page, there will be nothing that you cannot do.  Although a lot of knitting patterns look complicated and the end result appears to be intricate, all knitting stitch patterns are just a combination of knit and purl stitches in one form or another. 

Patterns are formed by creating eyelets (holes) by wrapping the yarn around the needle to create a new stitch and decreasing stitches by knitting two or more stitches together.  The cables in aran knitting are just knit and purl stitches that are rearranged on your needle so that they are knitted in  different order to the rows below.  

Colourwork is still just knit and purl stitches using two or more colours.  Practice the basic knitting stitch patterns on this page and before you know it you will be ready to tackle much more complex stitch patterns! 


When you are ready to move past these basic knitting stitches, you might like to check out these pages...

  • If you are planning to knit garments sooner or later you will need to master the 1x1 rib knitting stitch pattern as it is often a feature of jumpers or cardigans and it is also used for knitting scarves.

    1x1 Rib Knitting Stitch Pattern

    If you are planning to knit garments sooner or later you will need to master the 1x1 rib knitting stitch pattern as it is often a feature of jumpers or cardigans and it is also used for knitting scarves.

  • The claw pattern cable is knitted over 9 stitches and 4 rows.  This is a simple and effective cable stitch that can be done with or without a cable needle.

    Claw Pattern Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern

    The claw pattern cable is knitted over 9 stitches and 4 rows. This is a simple and effective cable stitch that can be done with or without a cable needle.

  • The Check Stitch knitting stitch pattern is another fairly simple stitch pattern that is suitable for beginners.  It uses a basic 2x2 rib stitch that alternates between knit and purl every four rows resulting in 'checks' or blocks of broken columns.

    Check Stitch Knitting Stitch Pattern

    The Check Stitch knitting stitch pattern is another fairly simple stitch pattern that is suitable for beginners. It uses a basic 2x2 rib stitch that alternates between knit and purl every four rows resulting in 'checks' or blocks of broken columns.



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