1 of 4

Write now Article Tools

When you look closely at a simple knitted material, you will usually see that the smooth fabric is made up of tiny V-shaped rows. Each of these V-shapes is an individual knit stitch.

As you might guess, the knit stitch is one of the two most basic stitches in knitting. The other is called the purl stitch and it is the reverse of the knit stitch. These two stitches are the building blocks for most pattern stitches. The knit stitch can even be used on its own to make a stretchy pattern stitch known as Garter Stitch.

The Knit Stitch

There are two common methods for knitting: the English Method (also known as American or right-handed) and the Continental Method (also known as German or left-handed). The primary difference in these methods is the way the free hanging yarn is held while the knitting is worked.

In learning the basic knit stitch, there is very little difference in the methods, but differences appear when working some pattern stitches. There are pros and cons to either knitting method. Some knitters recommend learning both methods, but most knitters simply use whichever method they find more comfortable.

Knit Stitch - Continental Method

1. Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand, the empty needle in your right. Hold the free yarn behind the left needle by wrapping it around your left index finger.

2. Insert the right needle through the first loop on the left needle (left to right)

3. Wrap the free yarn around the tip of the right needle (counterclockwise) and use the right needle to pull a loop of yarn back through the first loop. The new loop will be on the right needle.

4. Slip the original stitch off of the left needle.

5. Continue across the remaining stitches, repeating the steps above. When you finish the row, all of the stitches will be on the right needle and the left will be empty.

Knit Stitch - English Method

1. Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand, the empty needle in your right. Hold the free yarn in your right hand, keeping it behind the needles.

2. Insert the right needle through the first loop on the left needle (left to right)

3. Wrap the free yarn around the tip of the right needle (counterclockwise) and use the right needle to pull a loop of yarn back through the first loop. The new loop will be on the right needle.

4. Slip the original stitch off of the left needle.

5. Continue across the remaining stitches, repeating the steps above. When you finish the row, all of the stitches will be on the right needle and the left will be empty.

Whichever method you use, each finished knit stitch should have two legs that make a small V shape. If your knit stitches appear twisted (instead of as open V shapes) then you are most likely inserting the right needle incorrectly.

Making the knit stitch may be awkward in the beginning. With practice, each stitch will soon become a single fluid motion instead of a series of steps.

Learn more about this author, Susan Quilty.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Knitting basics: Understanding the knit stitch?
We want to hear your view. Write now!