• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

love. life. yarn.

  • About
    • About Amanda
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Join Facebook Group
    • Follow on Pinterest
    • Press
  • Free Patterns
    • Free Crochet Patterns
    • Free Knitting Patterns
  • Tutorials
    • Crochet Tutorials
    • Knitting Tutorials
  • Love.Life.Yarn Library
  • Shop

How to Knit Stockinette Stitch (Ultimate Guide)

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

By amanda

Help support free patterns - click to share!

  • Share
  • Flipboard

Everything you need to know to knit perfect Stockinette stitch every time. How to work Stockinette stitch flat and in the round, count your rows and more.

Anatomy of Stockinette Stitch Knitting

Stockinette stitch pushes all of the loops to the back of the fabric, resulting in a smooth right side. If you look at a piece of knitting made in Stockinette, you will see that one side looks like “V’s” and the other side is very bumpy.

The smooth “V” side is always the right side, unless you are working reverse Stockinette, in which the bumpy side is showing.

The front of a Stockinette stitch fabric

Before we begin… let’s get Social.

I would love for you to come follow me on
Instagram (get sneak peeks of what’s coming up!)
My Facebook Page (come join the fun!)
Follow me on Pinterest (I pin tons of free patterns to my boards!)
Also, you can find me on Ravelry or join more than 14K subscribers on YouTube.

How to Knit Stockinette Stitch

If you know the basic knit and purl stitches, it is super easy to knit this stitch. These are instructions for working flat.

This stitch pattern can be worked over any number of stitches.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Purl

Repeat rows 1-2 as desired.

Stockinette Stitch in the Round

Working this stitch in the round is even easier!! What?? How can that be?

Well, you just knit every row! Talk about easy!

How do you count the rows in Stockinette knitting?

With this stitch it’s fairly easy to count rows. You will look for the “V” of a stitch and count the number of V’s in a column.

Remember to always count the stitches that are active on the needle.

Also, something that I didn’t know starting out was when to knit or purl a row once I put it down and came back to it.

If the V’s are facing you as you work, you will knit. If you are looking at the bumpy side, you’re ready to purl.

The back of a Stockinette fabric – you’re ready for a purl row

Stockinette Stitch Video Tutorial

How to Knit: Stockinette Stitch

The Most Common Problem with Stockinette Stitch

It curls on the edges. This is part of the nature of Stockinette. It curls, and no amount of blocking is going to help it lie flat for long.

If you are going to seam it, then it is fine to leave it as is. When you seam Stockinette, the edges will be hidden in the seam and it will stop curling.

But what if you’re making something that needs to lie flat, such as a blanket or a scarf?

The only option you have in this case is to knit a border in a pattern that doesn’t curl. The most common option is Garter Stitch, but you could also use a rib pattern.

Patterns that use Stockinette stitch

Elbow Patch Sweater (Knit flat and seamed)
Easy Knit Mittens (Knit Flat)
Easiest Knit Hat (Knit Flat)

Filed Under: Knitting Tutorials

Previous Post: « How to Crochet: Reverse Single Crochet (Crab Stitch)
Next Post: 25 Heartfelt and Free Heart Knitting Patterns »

Bloggers: Seeking designs for your upcoming roundup? I’d love for you to feature my work! You have my permission to use one photo in your roundup post as long as a link is provided back to the associated pattern page. Please let me know when your post is published so I can share it on my social media, too. Thank you!

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe for Video Tutorials!

Here at love. life. yarn. we specialize in creating modern knit & crochet patterns for the whole family. Read More about Amanda here

Footer

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Recent Posts

  • Textured Checkerboard Stitch
  • Irish Mesh Lace Sweater (Free Knitting Pattern)
  • Simple Textured Crochet Dishcloth
  • Easy Crochet Wristlet Keychain
  • Mermaid Scales Sock Knitting Pattern

Amazon Affiliates Disclosure

Amanda Saladin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Copyright Amanda Saladin© 2025 ·