What's that stitch? Andalusian stitch

Andalusian stitch is a nice easy stitch which uses only knit and purl stitches, making it perfect for beginners.  Come and learn what this stitch is, how to do andalusian stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.  

[Start of image description: a white rectangle with the words " Analusian stitch" and a smaller white rectangle with the words "what's that stitch". Underneath is a wooden table with a blue andalusian stitch rectangle with a border. On the left is a wooden circular needle. End of image description.]

[Start of image description: a wooden table with a blue andalusian stitch square. In the middle is a white rectangle and the words "what's that stitch? Andalusian stitch by Cozy Woodland Cottage Knits.  Underneath is a close up of the andalusian stitch square showing the stitches and the texture.  End of image description.] 

What is Andalusian stitch?

Andalusian stitch creates raised bumps every 3rd row, adding a texture to an otherwise plain stocking stitch background.  It curls slightly but not as bad as stocking stitch does, I would still add a border if you are knitting a square for cloths or a blanket etc to stop this from curling.

What does andalusian stitch look like?

This stitch looks like stocking stitch with raised bumps (purl stitches) along every 3 rows.  Below is a close up of what andalusian stitch looks like and the texture of this stitch.

[Start of image description: a close up of andalusian stitch showing the raised bumps the purl stitches every 3rd row creates. End of image description.]

How do you do andalusian stitch?

To do andalusian stitch you only need to know how to:

• Knit
• Purl

Knitting abbreviations and meanings

K - knit
Knitting abbreviations - Free printable knitting abbreviations sheet

To do andalusian stitch 

Cast on multiples of 2 eg, 2, 4, 6, 8
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: *K1, P1, repeat from *
Row 4: Purl

[Start of image description: a wooden table with a blue andalusian stitch square without a border. End of image description.]

Tips:

• To keep track of the row mark the row repeats on paper or keep a track of the rows using a row counter. 
• If you cast off too tightly use a stretchy cast off.
• Knit a border if your going to make a blanket, cloth etc as it will roll (the square shown without a border I put between two heavy books to straighten it to take photos for this post. 

How to make your own patchwork square

You need to know how to:

• Cast on 
• Cast off
• Knit
• Purl 

Abbreviations

• K - Knit
• P - Purl

Knitting abbreviations - Free printable knitting abbreviations sheet

You will need:

• 5mm knitting needles
• DK/8ply
• 25 grams of yarn (75.5 yards/69 metres) 
• Row counter (If you do not have a row counter you can use pen and paper).

Gauge:

10x10cm

18 stitches and 28 rows

If it is too big go down a needle size and if it's too small go up a needle size. 

Gauge is in stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl the next row and repeat)

[Start of image description: A wooden table with a blue knitted andalusian stitch square with a garter stitch border around it. End of image description.]

Please note the above was knitted on the wrong size needles which is why this is more of a rectangle than a square.

Pattern:

Cast on 40  stitches

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: Knit 

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: Knit

Row 8: Knit

Row 9: Knit

Row 10: Purl

Row 11: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 12: Purl

Row 13: Knit

Row 14: Purl

Row 15: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 16: Purl

Row 17: Knit

Row 18: Purl

Row 19: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 20: Knit

Row 21: Purl 

Row 22: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 23:  Purl

Row 24: Knit

Row 25:  *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 26: Purl

Row 27: Knit

Row 28: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 29: Purl

Row 30:  Knit

Row 31: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 32: Knit

Row 33: Purl

Row 34: *K1, P1 * repeat from *

Row 35: Purl

Row 36: Knit

Row 37: Knit

Row 38: Knit

Row 39: Knit

Row 40: Knit

Row 41: Knit

Row 42: Knit

Row 43: Knit

Row 44: Knit

Row 45: Knit

Row 46: Knit

Cast off 

[Start of image description: a blue andalusian square with a garter stitch border with a wooden circular  needle next to it. End of image description.]

You could use your square to make:

• a blanket 
• a cotton dishcloth
• a cotton facecloth.
• a patchwork blanket using our what's that stitch posts. 
• a scarf 

What can you make using andalusian stitch?

Using andalusian stitch you could knit a scarf, cushion, pouch for your phone, a mug cozy, laptop/Ipad/notebook case, beanie, throw, cardigan, jumper or a knitted bag.

[Start of image description: a wooden table with an andalusian stitch rectangle with a border around it in the middle. On the left side is a wooden circular needle and a pair of scissors. On the right at the top is a  yellow smiley face mug with a cup of herbal dandelion and lemon tea. End of image description.]

Have fun learning how to do andalusian stitch and making a project using this stitch.

If you love this please pin

[Start of image description: A photo of a blue andalusian stitch rectangle with a white rectangle underneath. On the rectangle is the words "Andalusian stitch" and the words "To do andalusian stitch you cast on in multiples of 2 eg. 2, 4, 6, 8 stitches. Row 1: knit Row 2: purl Row 3: *K1, P1, repeat from * Row 4:purl repeat these four rows. End of image description.]

Thank you for visting Cozy Woodland Cottage Knits!

Have fun learning how to do basket stitch and making a project using this stitch. Check our stitch library What's that stitch? for more stitch pattern posts like this one. 

[Start of image description: Arjaye's signature with a blue feather floating in the air. Below is a meadow with yellow flowers with a a basket of pastel yarn and a hedgehog next to it. In the middle is two toadstools and a black cat running through the grass. End of image description.]

Related posts

What's that stitch? - Page of photos and links to all posts in the what's that stitch series.
Knitting abbreviations - Free printable knitting abbreviations cheat sheet in downloadable pdf file
Free printable knitting sheets - Free printable handy knitting sheets all in downloadable pdf files