If you’ve perfected the knit and purl stitches, then challenge yourself with these beginner stitch patterns.
These ten beginner stitches use a combination of knits and purls (with a few extra techniques thrown in).
These stitches are numbered from the easiest to the hardest. But the “hardest” stitches are still quite easy!
Best Beginner Stitches Video
To watch an introduction to these beginner stitches, watch the video above.
1. Rib Stitch
Rib Stitch is all about stretch. It uses a combination of knits and purls. Because of it’s stretch, it’s used for the cuffs of mittens, sleeves, hats, socks and more.
It’s a very practical stitch. You’ll encounter it in a lot of patterns. It’s a great way to practice switching from knits to purls.
2. Seed Stitch
Seed Stitch is a pretty nubby pattern that’s made up of knits and purls. It’s a variation of rib stitch, but with a twist. Where rib stitch produces a neat column of knits and purls, seed stitch breaks up the pattern. The resulting fabric is textured and resembles scattered seeds.
3. Moss Stitch
Moss stitch is very similar to seed stitch. While seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches every row, Moss Stitch alternates every other row. You can think of Moss Stitch as a “longer” version of seed stitch.
The result is a four-row pattern that’s beautifully nubby in texture. It can stand alone in a pattern (as with the Moss Stitch Scarf) or serve as a background stitch to a complex cable pattern.
Moss Stitch lays flat and is fully reversible, making it perfect for scarves, shawls and blankets.
4. Mistake Rib Stitch
Mistake Rib Stitch is just a one-row repeat. It’s made entirely of knits and purls and creates a textured rib pattern that’s deceptively easy to knit.
The stitch is stretchy and reversible.
5. Double Woven Rib
The Double Woven Rib is a textured stitch pattern that looks slightly woven. Though it looks complex, this stitch is just a two-row repeat.
The woven rib texture is created by slipping two stitches with the yarn in front. The rest of the stitches are just knits or purls, making the Double Woven Rib a great pattern for beginners.
This stitch tends to curl so it needs a border (like garter stitch) to keep it lying flat.
6. Hurdle Stitch
Hurdle stitch is a textured pattern created from knits and purls. It consists of rib stitch that’s interrupted by two rows of garter stitch. This garter ridge resembles the hurdles that horses jump over, which is where the stitch gets its name.
Because it uses only knits and purls, hurdle stitch is great for beginners looking to expand beyond garter and stockinette stitch.
Hurdle stitch lays flat and is reversible and stretchy, making it a good choice for blankets, scarves, sweaters, socks and more!
7. Purse Stitch
Purse Stitch is a beautiful lace stitch that’s created by a yarn over and a decrease. It’s just a one row repeat!
This stitch lays flat and is reversible. Like most lace stitches, it has some stretch to it.
Purse Stitch would look great knit into a breezy tote bag or a wide scarf or a shawl. I can also imagine it knit into a blanket with chunky yarn!
8. Open Honeycomb Stitch
Open Honeycomb Stitch creates an open lacy stitch that resembles a honeycomb pattern.
It’s a four-row repeat that lays flat and looks pretty on the reverse side.
The Open Honeycomb stitch tilts towards the left but it can be blocked out. However it will always have a left-leaning bias.
This pattern would look lovely knit into wide scarf or a shopping tote bag.
9. Feather and Fan Stitch
The Feather and Fan stitch is a well-known Shetland pattern. It’s sometimes called “Old Shell” or “Old Shale” because the stitch resembles the ocean waves rolling onto sand shales.
With its four-row repeat, Feather and Fan is a great introduction to lace knitting. For such a gorgeous pattern, it’s deceptively easy to knit up.
The stitch pattern lays flat and has a scalloped edge that extends from the cast on edge to the cast off edge. It looks pretty on the reverse side as well.
10. Indian Pillar Stitch
The Indian Pillar Stitch is a gorgeous two-row pattern that features a column of bobbles and a pretty faux-lace pattern.
Use a larger pair of needles for this stitch. Go up 1-2 needle sizes for a lacy look.
The Indian Pillar Stitch lays flat and looks pretty on both sides. It would look beautiful knit into a scarf or as a decorative panel in sweaters, mittens or socks.
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