Stockinette Stitch Knitting Pattern for Beginners

The Stockinette Stitch is an easy knitting pattern that creates a smooth, classic texture. You simply alternate two types of knitting techniques. Knitted flat, simply knit the right side and then purl the wrong. It’s even simpler in the round by knitting all stitches on all rows.

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

Stockinette stitch knitted flat on straight knitting needles in white color yarn.

About the Stockinette Stitch

Is the Knitted Stockinette Stitch Reversible?

This is a 2-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern is an easy-level project with a simple combination of knits and purls.

The Stockinette Stitch is not a reversible pattern because each side of your work, the Right and Wrong sides, look different. The right (or front) side has a smooth, classic knitted texture with its V-Stitches. The wrong (or back) side looks like little bumpy waves.

Right and Wrong sides of the Stockinette Stitch texture on knitting needle in blue color yarn.

Why Does Stockinette Stitch Curl?

While knitting up your piece flat on straight needles, all four sides will curl up. The bottom and top edges curl inward, while the side edges curl to the back. My photo below shows the curling from both the right and wrong sides of your swatch.

The curling happens with the Stockinette Stitch because we are alternating between the knit and purl stitches on each row. This push and pull creates tension in your fabric causing it to warp.

While this can be frustrating, there is a solution, so let’s look at those options next.

Stockinette Stitch right and wrong sides curled up.

How to Keep Stockinette Stitch from Curling

Stockinette Stitch curls up, fixing it blocked, and garter border blocked swatch samples.
  • Because all edges of the Stockinette Stitch curl up, it is helpful to block your piece.
  • Adding a border another way to help it lay flat. My favorite border stitches are Garter and Seed stitches.
  • Both adding a border and blocking your piece helps it lay flat the best!
  • The Double Stockinette Stitch is a great alternative to creating a perfectly flat piece with the same smooth texture.

Knit Stitch Pattern Book

Love easy knitting? Get 50 stitch patterns from my Knit Stitch Pattern Book available in both print and digital formats.

Knitting Techniques

Find my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help knit up this project.

Design Suggestion: The Slip Stitch Knitting technique is a favorite way to create smooth edges on the right and left sides of your project. If you’re knitting up a flat scarf, dishcloth, or blanket, you may wish to add selvedge stitches to create a more finished look.

How to Change Yarn Colors in Stockinette Stitch

To avoid purl dash lines when knitting with two or more yarn colors, change yarn at the beginning of your knit row on the right side of your work.

I have a great trick on how to change yarn color when knitting stripes for more knit stitch patterns for you.

How to Knit Stripes with Studio Knit - Stockinette Stitch Pattern

Knitting Instructions

Stockinette Flat on Straight Needles

Cast On any number of stitches onto your straight knitting needle.

Row 1: Knit All Stitches.
The first row is the right side of your work, which is the side that will be visible once it is knitted up.

Row 2: Purl All Stitches.
The second row is all purling from the wrong side of the work.

Row Repeats: Continue knitting Rows 1 and 2 until your work is the length you desire, then bind off your stitches and weave in your ends.

Stockinette Stitch flat on knitting needle in blue color yarn.

Stockinette in the Round on Circular Needles

Cast On any number of stitches onto your circular knitting needle.

Row 1: Knit All Stitches.

Row 2: Knit All Stitches.
It’s so easy to knit this texture in the round on circular or double-pointed needles, since every row is simply the knit stitch.

Row Repeats: Knit all rows until your work is the length you desire, then bind off your stitches and weave in your ends.

Stockinette stitch in the round on circular knitting needles.

Favorite Stockinette Stitch Knitting Patterns


Printable Knitting Instructions

Stockinette stitch knitted flat on straight knitting needles.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Stockinette Stitch is an easy knitting pattern that creates a smooth, classic texture.

Makes: Stockinette Stitch
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Experienced Beginner

Materials

  • Yarn - Any Gauge

Tools

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

Instructions

KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On Any Number of Stitches

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit All
  2. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl All

or

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:

Cast On Any Number of Stitches

  1. Row 1: Knit All
  2. Row 2: Knit All

Notes

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your piece is the length you desire.

Not a Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern

2-Row Repeat

Curls up, does not lay flat

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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

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KNITTING CHART

Knitting chart diagram of the Stockinette Stitch by Studio Knit.

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Thank You for Visiting Studio Knit

I hope you are inspired to knit up this Stockinette pattern in your next knitting project. For more inspiration, please check out my entire library of free stitch patterns!

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