Stocking Stitch

Stocking Stitch

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How to Knit the Stockinette Stitch
Most Knitting Patterns Don't Explain this Basic Stitch

Sarah E. White is a highly regarded knitting expert with over two decades of hands-on crafting and writing experience. She has authored three books on the subject, including "Quick and Easy Baby Knits," and was an editor for the website Love to Know Crafts.

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Stockinette (or stocking stitch) is a basic stitch that most knitting patterns don't explain because they assume it's already in the crafter's repertoire. If you're a seasoned knitter, chances are you are already well on your way to understanding this stitch and may even be using it regularly.

You begin by learning the knit stitch. Then, once this stitch is mastered, you learn to purl. Next, you learn that when the knit stitch is repeated on every row (or conversely, if the purl stitch is repeated on every row), it yields a " garter stitch " pattern. However, knitting one row, purling the next, and then repeating this process consecutively creates the most classic pattern of all, known as stockinette stitch.

Stockinette stitch works with any number of stitches per row and it can be used on patterns that call for both an odd or an even number of stitches, as long as you follow the pattern. Yet, when working in the round , stockinette stitch is formed by knitting every stitch of every round. You do not purl any of the stitches when working this way, as you do not change the direction of your knitting.

A pattern for flat-knitting stockinette stitch looks something like this:

Note: You may see stockinette stitch abbreviated in a pattern as "St st."

Stockinette stitch creates what's commonly known as "knit fabric." You'll find it used in sweaters , hats, scarves, and any other type of handmade or machine-knit, store-bought garment. The "front" (or "right") side of the fabric looks like it contains a series of V's, while the "back" (or "wrong") side resembles rows of waved ridges.

Alternatively, reverse stockinette stitch is made when the first row is purled and the second is knitted. Working in this way, the purled side (the wavy, bumpy side of the fabric) is meant to be the front.

Stockinette stitch is used in almost any knitting pattern. Try it out on a simple project, like a basic hat pattern or baby socks . You can also simply cast a dozen, or so, stitches onto your needle and work the stockinette stitch back and forth to create a scarf. Making one of these quick projects gives you the practice to you need to master the stitch.

Patterns using stockinette stitch are usually great for beginner knitters . Even still, stockinette will continue to be implemented in advanced projects as well, even those that mix in intricate stitches.

The versatility of stockinette stitch goes unparalleled. It's simple and it's easy to increase and decrease stitches without messing up the pattern. It knits up quickly, making it perfect for pieces that need to be reproduced. Once you've had some practice, you can knit stockinette stitch without even paying attention to what you're doing, making it a great stitch to tackle while watching TV and during travel.

Stockinette provides a great backdrop for embellishment, too. For instance, you can easily add stripes to a project worked in stockinette stitch without changing the gauge of your needle or yarn. You can also add designs by integrating a duplicate stitch on top of an already knitted piece. Embroidery or beads added on top of this stitch can make a project more interesting, as well.

Lastly, stockinette is commonly used to frame cables and other advanced patterns. These highly textural patterns stand out beautifully from the flat background created by stockinette.

One of the perils of stockinette stitch is the infamous " curl " it tends to produce on the edge of a garment when left to its own devices. Some yarns show this tendency more than others, but this stitch structure cannot always be predicted.

Some projects use the curl as an advantage—for edging sock cuffs or creating curled scarves. And if your edges will be sewn together for a sweater seam, the curl is only a nuisance when it needs to be flattened to check measurements. It will not affect the look of your finished project.

For flat projects like scarves and dishcloths, avoid the curl by adding a border of ribbing, garter stitch, or another non-curling pattern to the edges.

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How to knit stockinette stitch
Published on March 6, 2019 By Yazmin 3 min read
How to stockinette stitch step-by-step
How to count your row in 2 easy steps

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Stockinette stitch, known as the stocking stitch in British terms, is one of the most popular knitting stitches you’re likely to come across in the knit-esphere, popping up in most patterns and appearing in your favorite knitwear from socks, hats, cushion covers and scarves. Once you know how to knit a row and purl stitches , stocking stitch is the perfect next step as you learn how to knit ! In patterns you might be more familiar with its abbreviation ‘st st’, short form for (you’ve guessed it) st ockinette st itch.
Despite being absolutely everywhere, people often neglect to explain what the stockinette stitch actually is or mention it by its full name! If you’re a knitting newbie the mere mention of st st might have you scratching your head, so let us give you a quick rundown on what it means to stocking stitch and how to do a stocking stitch step by step.
Stockinette stitch is where you knit one entire row, and then purl an entire row, and then repeat. The result is a wonderful even flat texture made up of those gorgeous stacked ‘v’ shaped stitches on the ‘right’ (or ‘front’) side of the fabric. The ‘wrong’ or ‘back’ side of the fabric has yarny river like ridges which tend to curl.
First row. Tie a slip knot and cast on the number of stitches you'd like to knit. Knit one row, by inserting the tip of the right needle into the stitches cast onto the left needle, knitwise.
Second row. When you come to the end of your knitted row, swap hands so the needle containing the knitted stitches is in your left hand. Now purl an entire row, by inserting the tip of the right hand needle purlwise into the stitches in your left hand needle.
Third row. After you have purled an entire row, it's time to knit again.
Repeat knit and purl alternate rows to build your stockinette fabric, and watch your beautiful 'v' rows emerge in all their glory!
If you’re perfecting your stitches, we’d recommend using a bulky yarn so that you can easily see every stitch and keep track of your progress. It’s easier to spot blips when you’ve got a nice thick yarn!
When knitting stockinette stitch you might find your fabric beginning to curl around the edges. Don’t worry, this is completely normal! The reason for this is because of the difference in tension between knit and purl stitches. Knit stitches tend to be shorter and tighter compared to purl stitches, so when you have all your knit stitches on one side of your fabric, as you do in stockinette stitch, the tighter knit side tends to curl.
Great question! Sometimes a curled edge can make a beautiful design feature on a cozy cowl or brimmed hat, but if it’s not the effect you’re after there are few great techniques to stop your fabric from curling. From creating a border in an alternative flat stitch (like rib or seed stitch) to changing the elasticity of the fiber for acrylic yarns, we’ll show you lots of great ways to stop your knitting from curling .
Reverse stockinette stitch is the same as stockinette stitch, alternating between knit and purl rows, except you start with a purl row, which means your ‘right side’ of fabric is made up of purl stitches instead of knit stitches. Remember purl stitches are characterised by little ‘bumps’ which will appear in the right side of your fabric, if you are knitting the reverse stockinette stitch. On the knitted side of the fabric, your knit stitches will take the shape of little ‘v’s.
The easiest way to count the number of rows in stockinette stitch, is to turn your fabric to the knitted side and count the number of v’s stacked on top of one another.
Turn your knitted fabric ‘right side up’ if you are knitting ordinary stockinette stitch (‘wrong side up’ if you’re knitting reverse stockinette stitch).
Count the number of ‘v’ shaped stitches stacked on top of each other (vertically), which will tell you how many rows you have.
Most knitting-muggles will recognize the stockinette stitch as a ‘classic’ knitting stitch. For us knitters, stockinette stitch gets its name from early knitting artefacts dating back to the thirteenth and fourteenth century, which saw this characteristically stretchy stitch used to create stockings and sock-heels.
As a classic stitch, stockinette stitch is brilliant for beginner knitting projects , from beautiful beanies and hats to snuggly scarves and baby blankets . This classic flat texture is also the perfect stitch to get creative with colorwork and intarsia. Advanced knitting designs often combine the stockinette stitch with more complex stitches, from seed stitch to romantic lace, for playfulness and character.
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Hello knitters! In this video I show you how to knit stocking stitch, which is also known as stockinette.

If you're looking for more detailed videos about the basic stitches, please visit my channel to find two videos about those stitches: one about the knit stitch, and one about the purl stitch.

Happy knitting!

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