There’s more to knitting than garter and stockinette, and although these stitches form the solid foundation of many of my favourite knits, it’s nice every once in a while to break the monotony and explore! So here are a few of my personal favourite stitch patterns and instructions on how to do them.
Bee stitch
This beautiful textured stitch pattern is made up of a combination of alternating knit and knit one below stitches. Simply cast on an odd number of stitches onto straight needles (multiple of 2 stitches plus 1), then repeat the following over 4 rows until you reach your desired length.
Row 1: Knit all stitches
Row 2: (Right Side): *(K1, K1b); Repeat from * across to last stitch K1.
Row 3: Knit all stitches
Row 4: *(K1b, K1); repeat from * across to last stitch, K1b.
Basketweave stitch
Created using a series of leaning cables across each row, basketweave is perfect for scarves and cowls. All you need to make sure is that you cast on multiples of 4 +2 onto straight needles and you’re away!
Row 1(RS): K2, *4CF (repeat * to end)
Row 2(WS): Purl all stitches
Row 3: *4CB (repeat * to last 2 sts), K2
Row 4: Purl all stitches
Raspberry stitch
This great little bobble stitch can be used for everything and personally I’d love blankets, scarves, hats and jumpers in nothing but this! It can also be known as blackberry stitch, or trinity stitch. Cast on multiples of 4 and carry out the following pattern, repeating until you reach the length you need.
Knitted flat (for working raspberry stitch in the round, click here):
Row 1 (RS): Purl all stitches
Row 2: *p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) into the next stitch; rep from * to end.
Row 3: Purl all stitches
Row 4: *(k1, p1, k1) into the next stitch, p3tog; rep from * to end.
Key:
K1B – Knit one into the row below (knit 1 below)
4CF – put next 2 stitches onto a cable needle, hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
4CB – put next 2 stitches on cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are a few sites with patterns that you can try these stitches out on:
Image credits: Knit Picks, Cocoknits