Ultimate Guide To Every Type Of Knitting Stitch (73 With Videos)

Knitting stitches are the foundation of this craft, so I’m going to take you through every type of knitting stitch there is!

This article gives you the types of knitting stitches and everything else you need to know.

Expand your knitting skills with my guide. You’ll never be lost for a selection of ideas on what to knit next!

Summary: 73 Types of Knitting Stitches

• 2×2 Rib Stitch
• 5×1 Flat Rib Stitch
• 7×3 Flat Rib Stitch
• Andalusian Stitch
• Bamboo Stitch
• Basketweave Stitch
• Basic Cable Stitch
• Basket Loop Stitch
• Beaded Rib Stitch
• Broken Rib Stitch
• Bubble Stitch
• Cartridge Belt Rib Stitch
• Caterpillar Stitch
• Chevron Rib Stitch
• Chevron Seed Stitch
• Chinese Wave Stitch
• Cross Stitch
• Cut Diagonal Stitch
• Diagonal Basketweave Stitch
• Diagonal Chevron Zigzag Stitch
• Diagonal Rib Stitch
• Diagonal Seed Stitch
• Diagonal Spiral Rib Stitch
• Diamond Honeycomb Stitch
• Double Fleck Stitch
• Double Moss Stitch
• Embossed Leaf Stitch
• Fancy Diamond Stitch
• Flag Knit Stitch
• Garter Stitch
• Garter Checkerboard Stitch
• Garter Ribbing Stitch
• Herringbone Stitch
• Hurdle Stitch
• Irish Moss Stitch
• Large Stacked Triangle Stitch
• Lattice Seed Stitch
• Linen Stitch
• Little Granite Stitch
• Little Raindrops Stitch
• Long Raindrops Stitch
• Netted Stitch
• Parallelogram Stitch
• Pennant Pleating Stitch
• Pique Rib Stitch
• Pique Triangle Stitch
• Purl Ridge Stitch
• Raspberry Stitch
• Reverse Ridge Stitch
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch
• Rib Stitch
• Seed Stitch
• Seeded Rib Stitch
• Seersucker Stitch
• Stockinette Stitch
• Tiles Stitch
• Tile Squares Stitch
• Tumbling Moss Block Stitch
• Waffle Stitch
• Wide Basket Weave Stitch
• Wide Chevron Zigzag Stitch
• Window Stitch

I reviewed and updated this post on Aug 13, 2022.

Table Of Contents

• Knitting Stitches For Beginners
• Intermediate Knitting Stitches
• Advanced Knitting Stitches
• Rib Knitting Stitches
• Cable Knitting Stitches

What Are The Basic Stitches In Knitting?

The most basic stitches in knitting are the knit and purl stitch.

Here are some of the most common ones and their video tutorials.

Have an interest in practicing these options in a small size swatch piece?

Use wood or plastic knitting needles and some kind of basic knitting yarn. (Use a bright color so you can see the stitches.)

Darker colors are difficult to see.

Note: Some stitch methods have different characteristics when you knit in the round.

When working with that technique, use a pattern to help you learn the variation.

Garter Stitch

The most common of the different knitting stitches out there, and the one you should learn first.

The knit garter stitch is the foundation of all other ones.

It’s not just for beginners, as more advanced people love this stitch type for simple garments.

Often used in techniques and designs for childrens’ and baby clothes, cowls, beanies, and cardigans.

It’s easy because it returns the same result with any number of stitches. Great for a beginner!

The name of these knit stitch patterns comes from the stretchy, elastic bands used to hold up stockings many years ago.

• Method – Use the knit stitch (k1) for every row.
• Abbreviation – g st
• AKA – Plain Stitch

Here’s a video tutorial.

Now you’ve learned about some great knitting stitches, let me show you the best baby blanket yarn.

Stockinette Stitch

Another basic one, this is probably the most recognizable.

Knit Stitches are on the right side of the fabric and purl stitches are on the wrong side of the fabric.

(The knit ones look like a v when you work them.)

Remember the edges tend to curl. It’s often used as a background for complex designs or motifs.

• Method – Knit one row, purl the next row, repeat until you reach your desired length.
• Abbreviation – St st
• AKA – Stocking stitch

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Reverse Stockinette Stitch

This is the same as stockinette, but the pattern is made in the reverse order.

You get the purl stitches on the right side and the knit stitches on the wrong side.

It would make a lovely top or cowl.

I created a cowl in mohair/silk yarn that is pictured above using the reverse stockinette stitch.

It’s like wearing a cloud around your neck!

• Method – Purl one row (the first row), knit the second row, continue until you reach your desired length.
• Abbreviation – Rev St st
• AKA – Reverse Stocking Stitch

What yarn to use for arm knitting? Let me show you.

Seed Stitch

These knit stitch patterns are made up of alternating knit and purl stitches to create an interesting texture.

One row is k1, p1 and the other row is p1, kl and this is simply repeated.

Looks lovely as part of dishcloths designs or in some cases, interesting jackets.

• AKA – Sand Stitch, Dot Stitch

Now for the rest of the stitches.

Again, they’re organized by category and in alphabetical order to make it easier for you to find a stitch pattern to try.

Intermediate Knitting Stitches

Andalusian Stitch

These knit stitch patterns have a vintage twist on the classic stockinette. It’s named after a region in Southern Spain.

Bamboo Stitch

I made a beautiful infinity scarf for a Japanese friend using this pattern. It creates a thick and cozy fabric.

An elegant stitch pattern resembling bamboo stalks uses slipped stitches and yarn overs to achieve this effect.

This stitch does use up quite a lot of yarn.

Basketweave Stitch

A unique stitch creating a woven look without being super complicated.

Again it is a combination of knit stiches and purl stitches.

Diamond Honeycomb Stitch

A beautiful diamond-shaped pattern using slipped stitches to create a look reminiscent of honeycomb.

Create lovely pieces of work for your family or friends with knitted diamonds.

Diagonal Seed Stitch

A textured variant of the seed stitch. Each lot of slanting rows on the material are pleasing to the eye.

Double Moss Stitch

A variant of the seed stitch, this textured and durable pattern is perfect for garments like hats and face cloths.

Flag Knit Stitch

A triangle pattern using a variant of stockinette to create the little flag shapes. This version would make an excellent motif.

Irish Moss Stitch

Often confused with seed stitch, these knit stitch patterns are equally beautiful but a different pattern entirely.

Follow the tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

Large Stacked Triangle Stitch 

This simple-looking and beautiful pattern is a bit difficult, but it’s worth it for the lovely results.

It produces what looks like alternating large triangles. These fabrics are great for pillows and bags.

(The structure is a little fiddly because of all the decreases and increases.)

Linen Stitch

A simple pattern producing an interesting texture. Its appearance is reminiscent of linen fabric, hence its name.

Adds some lovely sophistication to any method.

Little Granite Stitch

A great way to make an intricate design with a few stitches.

It creates the impression of small bumps (granites) in horizontal bars on the body of the fabric.

Netted Stitch 

An interesting texture created with a variety of knit, purl stitch patterns, knitting stitches together, and yarnovers.

This makes an open lattice-style fabric resembling lace or cobwebs.

Purl Ridge Stitch

The Purl Ridge Stitch features a sleek alternating pattern of stockinette rows and purl stitches.

They run horizontally across the fabric. Great for interesting cuffs on sleeves, collars, or a border of a clothing piece.

Reverse Ridge Stitch

The reverse ridge stitch provides texture to knitting projects by adding a distinctive horizontal design.

This rib knit stitch is a stretchy, reversible six-row repeat pattern. Good for colorwork!

This stitch is unlike most ribbing patterns because it stretches vertically.

Seersucker Stitch

It creates rows of raised diamond shapes bordered by stockinette sections.

This 8-Row repeat pattern looks complicated but is a simple combination of knits and purls.

Tiles Stitch

This repeating pattern alternates knitting and purling.

I recommended it for big knitting projects such as blankets, sweaters, shawls, or throws.

Tile Squares Stitch

It’s nearly identical to the previous stitch.

Still, it creates a tiled pattern of squares with a divider of garter every few sections.

Waffle Stitch

A lovely textured pattern resembling the surface of a waffle, hence the name! It would be great for a sweater.

Wide Basket Weave Stitch

This stitch is similar to the classic basket weave.

The alternating “weave” knitting patterns are much wider than usual.

Advanced Knitting Stitches

Want to level up your skills and become a pro? Try these series of stitches!

Though they may be difficult at first, the trick is patience and lots of practice.

Basket Loop Stitch

A unique spin on the classic basket weave.

Instead of straight lines ‘woven’, the vertical ones are straight, and the horizontal ones are curved.

Bubble Stitch

A lovely, playful pattern with a 3D texture.

Caterpillar Stitch

This textured pattern gets its name from the resemblance of a caterpillar.

It uses lines of garter interspersed between stockinette stitches. The lines look a bit like ruffles or waves on the fabric.

Chevron Seed Stitch

This stitch produces a wavy pattern like zigzags or raised seeds.

It’s called chevron seed because it’s similar in appearance to seed stitching.

Chinese Wave Stitch

A pretty wavy pattern resembling waves of water. The mesh design would make a great produce bag for shopping!

Cross Stitch

Want to create something knitted that looks like it’s woven? Try using this technique.

Cut Diagonal Stitch

This produces diagonal lines from one side of the fabric to another in alternating directions, and it’s reversible too!

Diagonal Chevron Zigzag Stitch

The diagonal zigzag stitch is a combination of knit and purl stitches. An inventive pattern for socks or afghans!

It produces alternating diagonal lines from one edge of the fabric that’s wavy in appearance.

Double Fleck Stitch

This produces a feature of small alternating rectangular knitting patterns in a checkerboard fashion.

A simple-looking but timeless texture.

Embossed Leaf Stitch

This is a unique, textured pattern. It produces an amount of small, raised bumps resembling the surface of leaves.

Here’s a tutorial.

Garter Checkerboard Stitch

A unique pattern alternating stockinette and garter stitch. This is one of several variations of the classic basic stitch.

The result is a checkerboard-like fabric with raised bumps on one side. I love how it plays with textures and shape.

Flat ridges in the middle, and more raised bumps on the other side. It’s reversible too!

Fancy Diamond Stitch

A pretty, raised diamond pattern. It looks like a complex design but is great for intermediate knitters.

Here is an excellent tutorial.

Herringbone Stitch

This pattern is similar to the basket stitch, but it produces raised lines resembling small alternating diagonal flecks.

It’s popular for garments, home décor, and blankets.

Hurdle Stitch

This stitch produces raised vertical lines and flat ridges in between, hence the name hurdle.

Lattice Seed Stitch

This pattern looks like a lattice window, hence the name. In between the latticing is the seed stitch texture.

It’d be great for scarves and shawls or other accessories.

Here’s a tutorial.

Little Raindrops Stitch

This creates a wavy, raindrop-looking pattern. It’s great for garments or pillows as it’s not reversible.

Here’s a great tutorial.

Long Raindrops Stitch

Similar to the previous pattern, this one is also not reversible and produces wavy lines with a droplet-like appearance.

Parallelogram Stitch

This produces a lattice-like pattern with parallelograms instead of blocks.

Pennant Pleating Stitch

This pattern produces an interlocking triangle texture with ridges on all three sides.

Pique Triangle Stitch

The Pique stitch creates a 3D effect of miniature triangles by alternating knit and purl stitches.

The triangles are knit in stocking stitch, which showcases their details.

Raspberry Stitch

A textured, staggered bobble stitch resembling a raspberry. A great way to add dimension to various projects.

It’s also called Trinity Stitch or Blackberry Stitch.

I so enjoyed making the above dishcloth incorporating this stitch.

Tumbling Moss Block Stitch

A great texture for garments, this pattern produces a dense knit of tumbling blocks resembling moss.

It’d look lovely in a green yarn!

Wide Chevron Zigzag Stitch

This produces a chevron-like pattern with repeating zigzag lines horizontally across the fabric. It’s a lovely look!

Here’s how to do it.

Window Stitch

This pattern produces rows of knit stitches and purl stitches.

The result is an elegant, lattice-like fabric resembling the appearance of a windowpane.

Here is an excellent tutorial.

Rib Knitting Stitches

These rib stitches have combinations of knit stitch patterns and purl stitch patterns to make vertical columns.

Use them for many purposes and settings. The simpler ones make a great collection of stitches for a garment project.

(Most of these are one row basic knit patterns, not involving two rows or more.)

Rib Stitch

This classic rib pattern alternates between knit and purl stitches. (AKA the single rib knit stitch.)

The 1 rib stitch is reversible, comfortable to wear, and stretchy too! Get back to basics with this.

Here are some other ribbed stitches for you to try.

2×2 Rib Stitch

This knit stitch pattern is similar to the previous one, but it alternates between two knit and two purl stitches.

5×1 Flat Rib Stitch

This alternates between five knit stitches and one purl stitch.

Here is an excellent tutorial.

7×3 Flat Rib Stitch

This knit stitch pattern alternates between seven knit stitches and three purl stitches.

Here’s a tutorial.

Broken Rib Stitch

This knit stitch pattern produces a zigzag vertical rib with alternating knit stitches and purl stitches.

It’s an interesting-looking one!

Beaded Rib Stitch

In this, the ribs aren’t separate. Instead, they look like they’ve been woven or beaded together.

Hence why it’s called what it is. It’d be great for scarves or shawls!

Cartridge Belt Rib Stitch

This unique take on the ribbed pattern is a little complicated but worth it if you want a distinctive texture.

Chevron Rib Stitch

This pattern is similar to the Wide Chevron Zigzag Stitch, but it produces a rib chevron-like design with zigzags.

Diagonal Spiral Rib Stitch

This knitting pattern creates beautiful diagonal lines with a unique rib design.

Garter Ribbing Stitch

This knitting pattern is made up of alternating ribs and garter stitch to create a reversible ribbed effect.

Goes with any color scheme.

Diagonal Rib Stitch

This knitting pattern is similar to the Spiral Rib Stitch.

Still, the ribs are thinner on this fabric stitch, closer together, and have a slightly different look.

Pique Rib Stitch

This knitting pattern is similar to the Pique Triangle Stitch but with a ribbed effect.

Seeded Rib Stitch

This knitting pattern is similar to the Rib Stitch, but it includes seed stitches, creating a beautiful texture.

Cable Knitting Stitches

Basic Cable Stitch

This is a knitting technique where you twist the stitches intentionally to create a variety of wonderfully textured knits.

The end result of this repeat stitch is lovely.

Here’s a basic pattern to try, though it gets quite fiddly!

Diagonal Basketweave Stitch

A slightly complicated variant on the basketweave, but the result is beautiful.

There are so many different types of knitting stitches out there! (Others include Fair Isle and Norwegian knitting.)

Hope you enjoyed this list of knowledge and found your favorite new stitch to practice.

Happy knitting and have fun learning some new skills!

If there’s one I forgot to add, please let me know in the comments. (Your email address is never published.)

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