Stamen Stitch Knitting Pattern

The Stamen Stitch knitting pattern creates a textured design with simple knits and slip stitches. The alternating rows with horizontal slips create a dimensional piece for extra coziness. See how this easy 4-row repeat is knit with one or several colors, both flat and in-the-round.

Get your written pattern instructions both flat and in the round, along with a knitting chart and video tutorial.

Color changes of the Stamen Knit Stitch in pink and beige colored yarn on knitting needles.

About the Stamen Stitch

Stitch Techniques

A series of easy knits and purls with slipped stitches create the textured pattern. It looks similar to Brioche, but it is even easier than the Garter Stitch!

Row Repeat

Knit up the Stamen Stitch in a simple 4-row repeat.

Lays Flat

It is a favorite stitch choice because this pattern easily lays flat.

Easy to Memorize

Because we are knitting up this texture in an easy series of knit and slip stitch techniques, this is a very easy-to-memorize pattern.

Is this Stamen Stitch Reversible?

No, this is not a reversible pattern. As you can see, the right side of the work displays the slipped stitch design while the wrong side looks more like the garter stitch.

Right and Wrong sides of the Stamen Stitch knitted with beige colored yarn.

Knitted Flat: Create a striped piece by easily changing yarn colors. For a clean color stripe, it is best to change yarn colors at the beginning of any right side row while knitting all stitches.

Knitted In-the-Round: You may wish to create stripes by changing yarn colors on every odd-numbered row. However, changing yarn colors on the even-numbered rows with the slipped stitches is a wonderful way to create extra visual interest.

Can this stitch be knit in the round on circular needles?

Yes, this pattern includes written instructions to knit in the round. Try it out with either circular or double-pointed needles to knit up hats, sweater sleeves, or infinity cowls.

Stamen Stitch knitted in the round on circular needles with pink colored yarn.

Watch Video Tutorial

Knitting Techniques

For this slipped Stamen Stitch design, we are using the following knitting techniques and abbreviations:

Stamen stitch knitting texture in pink yarn color.

Printable Knitting Instructions

Stamen Stitch knitted in beige color yarn.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Stamen Stitch knitting pattern creates a textured design with simple knits and slip stitches.

Makes: Stamen 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 size gauge for your knitting project

Tools

  • Knitting Needles - Sized appropriately for your yarn gauge
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES

Cast On: An Odd Number of Stitches

  1. Row 1 (right side): Knit All
  2. Row 2 (wrong side):  K1, * Sl1P WYIB, K1 *
  3. Row 3: Knit All
  4. Row 4: Sl1P WYIB, * K1, Sl1P WYIB *

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until your work is the length you desire.

_____

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES

Cast On: An Even Number of Stitches

  1. Round 1 (right side): Knit All
  2. Round 2:  * P1, Sl1P WYIF *
  3. Round 3: Knit All
  4. Round 3:  * Sl1P WYIF, P1 *

Repeat Rounds 1 - 4 until your work is the length you desire.

_____

When Do You Change Yarn Colors in the Stamen Stitch?

Knitted Flat: Create a striped piece by easily changing yarn colors. For a clean color stripe, it is best to change yarn colors at the beginning of any right side row while knitting all stitches.

Knitted In-the-Round: You may wish to create stripes by changing yarn colors on every odd-numbered row. However, changing yarn colors on the even-numbered rows with the slipped stitches is a wonderful way to create extra visual interest.

Notes

Repeat Pattern between * *

Non-Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern.

Lays Flat.

KNITTING TECHNIQUES

  • Slip Knot
  • CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
  • K = Knit Stitch
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • Sl1P WYIB = Slip One Stitch Purlwise with Yarn in Back
  • Sl1P WYIF = Slip One Stitch Purlwise with Yarn in Front
  • Bind Off

KNITTING CHART

Knitting Chart of the Stamen Stitch by Studio Knit.

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Kristen McDonnell
Author & Designer

After publishing her first knitting tutorial video, Kristen founded StudioKnit LLC. Enamored with teaching online, she films knitting lessons and designs from her vibrant production studio on Half Moon Bay’s California coast.

Kristen McDonnell is the author of the highly acclaimed book Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns featuring vintage and unique designs.

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