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Caterpillar Stitch Knitting Pattern for Beginners

The Caterpillar Stitch Pattern is a great pattern to create a modern pop of texture. This 12-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern is created with a simple combination of knits and purls. It is perfect for dishcloths with pretty ridges for texture.

Get your free written pattern instructions with video tutorials below. You may also purchase my ad-free Knit Stitch Pattern Book in both hardcopy and e-book formats.

Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in white yarn on knitting needle.
Table of Contents

🐛 Caterpillar Stitch Texture

This vintage Caterpillar Stitch is also called Vertical Dash. This pattern’s background is Reverse Stockinette with alternating vertical stripes in 6 rows in Stockinette.

You may be interested in checking out a similar pattern, the Long Raindrops Stitch, which also has a similar design but is clustered up for extra stretchability.

Hands holding swatch of Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in green color yarn.
Studio Knit visit my pattern shop with knit stitch book, bubble beanie hat, heart cable scarf, and blanket.

🧶 Tools and Materials

Feel free to use any size yarn and needles for your creative project.

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Yarn: Cascade 128 Superwash (white sample)
Lily Sugar ‘N Cream Hot Green (green sample)
Knitting Needles – Size 10 US
Tapestry Needle
Scissors

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Green cotton yarn and knitting needles.

💡 Knitting Techniques

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.

Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern

📖 Knit Stitch Pattern Book by Kristen McDonnell

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!

Knit Stitch Pattern Book with Caterpillar Stitch Pattern by Studio Knit

📺 Watch Video Tutorial

Printable Knitting Instructions

Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in white yarn on knitting needle.

Printable Knitting Pattern

Yield: Caterpillar Stitch Pattern
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Experienced Beginner

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

Tools

  • Knitting Needles - Appropriate Size for Yarn
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On in Multiples of 6

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): * K1, P5 *
  2. Row 2 (Wrong Side): * K5, P1 *
  3. Row 3: * K1, P5 *
  4. Row 4: * K5, P1 *
  5. Row 5: * K1, P5 *
  6. Row 6: * K5, P1 *
  7. Row 7: * P3, K1, P2 *
  8. Row 8: * K2, P1, K3 *
  9. Row 9: * P3, K1, P2 *
  10. Row 10: * K2, P1, K3 *
  11. Row 11: * P3, K1, P2 *
  12. Row 12: * K2, P1, K3 *

or

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:

Cast On in Multiples of 6

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): * K1, P5 *
  2. Row 2: * K1, P5 *
  3. Row 3: * K1, P5 *
  4. Row 4: * K1, P5 *
  5. Row 5: * K1, P5 *
  6. Row 6: * K1, P5 *
  7. Row 7: * P3, K1, P2 *
  8. Row 8: * P3, K1, P2 *
  9. Row 9: * P3, K1, P2 *
  10. Row 10: * P3, K1, P2 *
  11. Row 11: * P3, K1, P2 *
  12. 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

  1. Slip Knot 
  2. CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
  3. K = Knit Stitch 
  4. P = Purl Stitch
  5. BO = Bind Off
  6. Weave In Ends

_____

KNITTING CHART

Knitting Chart of Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern Chart with Video Tutorial by Studio Knit

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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!

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Happy Knitting to You!

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