What I really like about the knitting stitches below is that they are made up of only 4-6 rows making them easy to memorize after a couple rounds. Some stitch patterns are in the range of 18 rows or more - beautiful but you need to pay attention. Once you know the basic knit stitches - knit, purl, slip stitches and yarn overs, then there are hundreds of stitch patterns based on combinations of these that you can use to knit unique scarves, blankets, shawls, even hats and socks. See
Knitting Stitches Books.
If you like to do practice squares, consider making them 8" X 8" and sending them to Africa where they'll be made into blankets for AIDs orphans. For more information see Knit a Square.
Knitting Abbreviations
K=Knit, K1=Knit one stitch
P=Purl, P1=Purl one stitch
YO=Yarn Over
Yf=yarn in front (alt:YiF or Yfwd=yarn forward)
Yb=yarn to back
S1=Slip one stitch, usually with needles tip to tip or purlwise
PSSO=Pass Slip Stitch Over
K2tog=Knit two together (decreases a stitch)
Each pattern will indicate how many stitches to cast on in some multiple. The number depends on how wide you want the project to be. The * (star) symbol around a group of stitches tells you to repeat these until the end of the row. In an actual project pattern you will be told how many repetitions to complete.
Patterns such as this, where every other row is a Purl row, can easily be converted to working in the round (ie. on double pointed or circular needles). Because you're always working the front, just change the purl to a knit round.
Use one dark colour, one light colour.
Cast on a multiple of 2
Repeat * to *
Row 1:Dark * S1 purlwise, K1 * Row 2:Dark P Row 3:Light * K1, S1 purlwise * Row 4:Light P
Imitation Embroidery Pattern
Cast on multiple of 6 stitches plus 3 extra.
Row 1: K1, P2, K3 *P3 K3*. Repeat * to * until 3 stitches remain, P2, K1. Row 2: K3 *P3 K3 *. Repeat * to * Row 3: K1, P2 *YO K3tog YO P3*. Repeat * to * until 6 stitches remain, YO, K3tog, YO, P2, K1. Row 4:Repeat Row 2.
Here's an easy
Hat Pattern
based on this knitting stitch.
Laburnum Stitch
Cast on multiple of 5 plus 2 extra
Repeat * to *.
Row 1: P2, * Yf, S1, Yb, K2tog, PSSO, YO needle twice in reverse (bring yarn from back over the right needle, then under and over again), P2 * Row 2: K2, * P into back of first YO, then into front of second YO, P1, K2 * Row 3: P2, * K3, P2 * Row 4: K2, * P3, K2 *
The Laburnum and Imitation Embroidery stitch above are good examples of knitting stitches patterns that can be used as a fancier variation of the more common K2, P2 rib stitch.
Row 1: Purl Row 2: K3 *YO K2 S1 knitwise K1 PSSO K2tog K2 YO K1 *. Repeat * to * until 1 stitch remains K1. Row 3: K2, P to last 2 stitches, K2 Row 4: K2 *YO K2 S1 K1 PSSO K2tog K2 YO K1*. Repeat * to * until 2 stitches remain, K2. Row 5: Repeat Row 2 Repeat Row 2 to Row 5 as required.
The Lace Leaf Pattern is being used in the scarf below. The K2 at the beginning and end of every row is carried over into the plain stockinette stitch (K one row, P the next) to help limit curling in. Two sections will be made and then grafted together in the center.
This is a really useful stitch to know. It makes a very plain fabric, but a nice change from the stockinette stitch. The front has the look of a woven fabric and it lies very flat and drapes nicely. The back has more of a bumpy texture.
