What is garter stitch in a knitting pattern?

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Garter stitch is one of the easiest and most common stitch patterns in knitted fabrics. You create garter stitch by knitting every row. (You can create garter stitch by purling every row, too.



Regarding this, is garter stitch the same as knit?

Garter stitch is the fabric pattern you create when you knit every stitch in every row. This is usually the first stitch pattern beginning knitters learn, since it requires no purling. The knit stitch is a technique, but garter stitch is a pattern. In garter stitch, the right side and wrong side look the same.

Likewise, is garter stitch knit every row? Garter stitch is one of the easiest and most common stitch patterns in knitted fabrics. You create garter stitch by knitting every row. (You can create garter stitch by purling every row, too.

Furthermore, why is it called garter stitch?

Like stockinette stitch, garter stitch is not an individual stitch: it is the stretchy and corrugated fabric that results when you knit every row. The name for the stitch was taken from the name for these bands—supposedly garters were knit in garter stitch (which is much more elastic than stockinette stitch).

What is knit one row purl one row called?

Stockinette stitch is a basic knitting stitch. To knit stockinette stitch (abbreviated St st), you alternate a knit row with a purl row. Stockinette stitch (or stocking stitch) is everywhere: scarves, socks, sweaters, blankets, hats — you name it. The right side is typically the smooth side, called stockinette or knit.

29 Related Question Answers Found

Why does my knit stitch look like purl?

Because you're knitting garter stitch. The wrong side of knits is purls, and the wrong side of purls is knits. You see the purls because the knits curl inside, which makes the purls pop out. If you stretch the knitting vertically, you'll see the knits hiding.

What does work in garter stitch mean?

Garter Stitch Is Easy and Useful
Knitting patterns often use a garter stitch to create a border or edge with a striped texture that doesn't curl. It's also great for making a knit fabric that's thick, strong, and slightly stretchy. Working garter stitch is as simple as knitting every stitch, every row.

Is there a right and wrong side to garter stitch?

For some knit swatches, like a garter stitch in all one color, the RIGHT and WRONG side is totally the same, since the same knit stitch is on both sides of the work. The Right Side is the intended pattern on the front and the Wrong Side is the backside.

Does the cast on row count as Row 1?

The cast on itself is not counted, however, some cast on methods create both a cast on and a knitted row. For example, the most popular cast on, the long tail method, creates both a cast on and a knitted row. So in this case, you would count that as the first row.

Is garter stitch reversible?


Garter stitch lies flat and is totally reversible, meaning that both sides look the same. Garter stitch lays flat and is totally reversible. Garter stitch is made up of alternating rows of knits and purls.

What is a purl stitch vs knit?

A stitch that is knitted will have a smooth “V” at its base, whereas a stitch that is purled will have a bump at its base. One of my knitting students told me that the way she could identify a “purlstitch is that it looks like it is wearing a “pearl” necklace!

Does the garter stitch curl?

If knitting back and forth in rows, if you knit one row then purl one row (for your borders) then you will get stockinette stitch, which curls. If you are working in the round you will get garter stitch, which doesn't curl.

How many different knitting stitches are there?

18 Easy Knitting Stitches You Can Use for Any Project
  • Knit Stitch. The knit stitch is one of the most basic and simple stitches you'll learn.
  • Stockinette Stitch. Stockinette stitch is one of the most popular, yet easy knitting stitches.
  • The Seed Stitch.
  • The Linen Stitch.
  • The Purl Ridge Stitch.
  • The Netted Stitch.
  • Bamboo Stitch.
  • The Cartridge Belt Rib Stitch.

Is garter stitch wider than stockinette?

When stretched to its extreme, it can be quite a bit wider than stockinette, but will also get shorter. Garter: When purl stitches are stacked horizontally, the purl bumps stick out and the fabric stretches horizontally. Garter off the needle is more compressed than stockinette, and the fabric lays flat.

What does purl stitch look like?


A purl stitch looks just like the back of a knit stitch. If you purl every row, you get a bumpy texture, which is exactly like a knitted garter stitch. Slide the right needle down, and then bring the tip from front to back through the stitch, bringing the yarn with it.

Is garter stitch stretchy?

Garter stitch is bumpy, stretchy, and lays nice and flat. It is reversible, it looks the same on both sides.

How many rows can you carry yarn?

There is no hard and fast rule but generally if you are going to be working more than 4 rows before needing the color again, strongly consider cutting it. Some people will stretch this to 6 rows. Every time you twist the yarns, you are adding more bulk to the edge.