In this blog post we’ll walk you through 5 knitting stitches for beginner knitters that are surprisingly easy, whilst giving your work beautiful texture. If you’re just starting out on your knitting journey, it can be easy to get stuck in the trap of only making things in stockinette or garter stitch, we hope this list will give you some inspiration for new stitches to try.
Seed Stitch
Seed stitch is our first stitch for beginners that we recommend. It is similar to a 1×1 rib in the sense you alternate knit and purl stitches. However, instead of making columns of knit and columns of purl stitches, you alternate a purl sitting on top of a knit and visa versa.
This creates a textured, bumpy fabric that looks like little seeds. If you’re making something such as a scarf that you want to add a bit of texture to, try this! This stitch also lies flat, unlike stockinette which curls in at the edges.
Broken Rib / Mistake Rib
The next stitch we recommend for beginner knitters is the broken rib – also known as a mistake rib. Unlike it’s appearance, broken rib is a really easy stitch to master. It consists of a row of 1×1 rib, and then a row of plain knit.
This simple 2 row repeat makes for a textured squishy fabric. Technically there is a right and wrong side to the fabric it creates, however, the wrong side of broken rib is equally as lovely as the front. It would therefore be a great option for scarves, hats, pillow covers, blankets etc.
Basket Weave Stitch
Basket weave stitch is the next beginner knitting stitch in this line up. Basket weave stitch creates an amazing 3 dimensional look to your work. It’s name is self explanatory – it creates a texture similar to that of a woven basket.
This stitch is made up of knitting (often 4) knit stitches, followed by 4 (or whatever the multiple in the pattern you’re following is) purl stitches, and repeating this until the end of the row. Every 4/5 rows or so you’ll do a row of just knit.
Basket weave stitch would be a great option for making coasters, tea towels etc, if you were to use a hard wearing cotton, as it creates a sturdy and dense fabric.
Waffle Stitch
Our penultimate beginner knitting stitch is the waffle stitch. Aptly named like the last, after it’s waffle like appearance. Also similarly to basket weave stitch, waffle stitch would make great dishcloths and coasters, due to the thickness and density of the fabric it creates. Like most f the stitches in this blog, waffle stitch also lies flat, making it suitable for scarves and blankets.
This is another stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches for several rows, before 2 plain rows of knit and purl.
Diagonal Seed Stitch
The last stitch in our beginner knitters stitches roundup is the diagonal seed stitch. This creates a beautifully elegant look and would be a really nice option for jumpers and items of clothing.
This is a simple construction of stockinette (one row of knit, one row of purl) and purling / knitting (the opposite of whatever row you’re on), every 5 stitches to create the bump. The following row the little bumps will be shifted along one stitch to create the diagonal line.
And that’s it for our stitches for beginner knitters round up! We hope this list inspired you to try something new, and hopefully put your mind at ease that knitting isn’t always as complicated as it looks.
Be sure to check out our other blog posts for all things knitting and crochet.
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