Everything You Need to Know About Garter Stitch Knitting
Garter stitch is one of the simplest and most basic knitting stitches. It is an easy pattern of knitting every row, producing a fabric that is flat and reversible, with ridges on both sides. It is a great stitch for beginners, as it is easy to learn and practice.
In this article, we’ll go over the basics of garter stitch, including how to create it, what it looks like, and some easy patterns to try. We’ll also provide some tips for knitting garter stitch, and answer some common questions about this stitch.
How to Knit Garter Stitch
To knit garter stitch, you will need some yarn and a pair of knitting needles. You can use any type of yarn and needles you like, but for beginners, we recommend a medium weight yarn and a size 8 or 9 needle.
To create garter stitch, simply knit every row. Here’s how to do it:
- Cast on a few stitches using the long-tail cast-on method.
- Hold the needle with the stitches in your left hand, and insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from front to back.
- Wrap the yarn around the right needle, from back to front.
- Pull the right needle back through the stitch on the left needle, bringing the new stitch through with it.
- Slip the old stitch off the left needle, and repeat steps 2-4 until you reach the end of the row.
- Turn the work around, so that the needle with the stitches is in your right hand, and the empty needle is in your left hand.
- Repeat steps 2-6 until you have knitted as many rows as you like.
That’s all there is to it! By knitting every row, you will create a fabric that is made up entirely of garter stitch.
What Garter Stitch Looks Like
Garter stitch creates a fabric that is flat and reversible, with ridges on both sides. The ridges are created by the purl bumps on the wrong side of the fabric. Because garter stitch is reversible, it is a great stitch for scarves, shawls, and blankets, as both sides look good.
Here are a few tips to help you knit garter stitch:
- Make sure you knit every row. If you accidentally purl a row, you will create stockinette stitch, not garter stitch.
- Keep your tension even. Garter stitch can be a bit stretchy, so make sure you are not pulling the stitches too tight or too loose.
- Count your stitches. It’s easy to accidentally add or drop a stitch when knitting garter stitch, so count your stitches every few rows to make sure you are on track.
- Use stitch markers. If you are working on a larger project, like a blanket, it can be helpful to use stitch markers to keep track of where you are in the pattern.
The garter stitch is an essential stitch for beginners in knitting. It is a simple yet versatile stitch that is easy to learn and practice, making it an ideal choice for various projects such as scarves, shawls, and blankets. With its reversible fabric and ridges on both sides, garter stitch allows for plenty of design possibilities. This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating garter stitch, including easy patterns to try and tips for knitting. Whether you’re new to knitting or an experienced crafter, the garter stitch is an excellent technique to add to your repertoire.
