
The Caterpillar Stitch Pattern is a great pattern to create a modern pop of texture. This 12-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern is perfect for dishcloths or anything you can dream up. This vintage Caterpillar Stitch is also called Vertical Dash. You may be interested in checking out a similar pattern, the Long Raindrops Stitch, which also has a design of vertical texture, but it is clustered up for extra stretchability.
Keep reading to get all your materials, techniques, along with written and charted instructions to knit this pattern both flat on straight needles and in the round on circular needles. This pattern is also found on pages 47-48 of my Knit Stitch Pattern Book!
WATCH CATERPILLAR KNIT STITCH VIDEO INTRO
Find the full stitch-by-stitch video tutorial below!
KNITTING MATERIALS
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Feel free to use any size yarn and needles for your creative project. My Caterpillar Stitch sample was created with size 7 US knitting needles and worsted weight yarn, along with a Tapestry Needle and Scissors.
HOW TO KNIT THE CATERPILLAR STITCH
The Caterpillar Stitch is an easy combination of simple Knit and Purl Stitches. Find my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help knit up this project.
- How to Cast On Without a Slip Knot or Slip Knot
- Cast On
- K = Knit Stitch
- P = Purl Stitch
- Cast Off
- Weave-in Yarn Ends
KNIT STITCH: 50 KNIT + PURL PATTERN BOOK
Find the Caterpillar Stitch on pages 47-48 of my Knit Stitch Pattern Book, now available as both a print book and digital download. Get your free printable pattern further down in this post!
CATERPILLAR STITCH PATTERN
Click to Play Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Caterpillar Stitch Printable Knitting Pattern
The Caterpillar Stitch Pattern is a great pattern for light summer knitting that looks very modern. This 12-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern is also called Vertical Dash.
Materials
- Yarn - Any Gauge
Instructions
KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:
Cast On in Multiples of 6
- Row 1 (Right Side): * K1, P5 *
- Row 2 (Wrong Side): * K5, P1 *
- Row 3: * K1, P5 *
- Row 4: * K5, P1 *
- Row 5: * K1, P5 *
- Row 6: * K5, P1 *
- Row 7: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 8: * K2, P1, K3 *
- Row 9: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 10: * K2, P1, K3 *
- Row 11: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 12: * K2, P1, K3 *
or
IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:
Cast On in Multiples of 6
- Row 1 (Right Side): * K1, P5 *
- Row 2: * K1, P5 *
- Row 3: * K1, P5 *
- Row 4: * K1, P5 *
- Row 5: * K1, P5 *
- Row 6: * K1, P5 *
- Row 7: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 8: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 9: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 10: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 11: * P3, K1, P2 *
- Row 12: * P3, K1, P2 *
Notes
Repeat Rows 1 through 12 until your piece is the length you desire.
Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks
Not a Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern
12-Row Repeat
Lies Flat
_____
KNITTING TECHNIQUES
- Slip Knot
- CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
- K = Knit Stitch
- P = Purl Stitch
- BO = Bind Off
- Weave In Ends
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KNITTING CHART
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THANK YOU FOR VISITING STUDIO KNIT
I hope you are inspired to knit up this Caterpillar Stitch pattern in your next knitting project. Check out my entire library of free stitch patterns! If you’d like even more great knitting ideas, please make sure you join my mailing list. Subscribing to my YouTube channel Studio Knit is another easy way for us to stay connected and help support my work for free.
Happy Knitting to You!