What's that stitch? Stocking stitch

Welcome to what's that stitch series! Stocking stitch stitch is 2nd most commonly used stitch in knitting and usually the 2nd stitch beginner knitters learn how to knit.  Learn what this stitch is, how to do stocking stitch and get few project ideas for using this stitch.

What is stocking stitch?

Stocking stitch is also called stockinette stitch.  This stitch creates a machine knitted look and is great for knitting jumpers.  Stocking stitch tends to curl up on itself which can be solved by adding a garter stitch border or blocking the knitted item.

What does stocking stitch look like?

Below is a close up of what stocking stitch looks like, the texture of this stitch and how the stitch curls up.  The curl can be worse than shown below depending on what you are knitting for example, a scarf will curl at the sides without a border.

How do you do stocking stitch?

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

• Knit
• Purl

Knitting abbreviations and meanings

K - knit
P - Purl
Knitting abbreviations - Free printable knitting abbreviations sheet

To do stocking stitch 

On straight needles, knitting back and forth on circular needles
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Repeat these two rows

On circular needles knitting in the round (in a circle not back and forth like you do on straight needles)

Row 1: Knit
Repeat row 1

What can you make using stocking stitch?

Using stocking stitch you could knit a blanket, a scarf or a beanie. This stitch also looks nice jumpers and cardigans.

How can I block stocking stitch?

Blocking can be done by dampening the knitted piece so that it is wet but not dripping with warm water.  Spread the piece out on a towel or a foam blocking board on the floor so it can dry.  Gently stretch out the piece as needed to meet the pattern you are using.  Use rust-proof safety pins or straight blocking pins to hold the knitted piece to the towel or sheet.  As it dries, it will retain the shape that you gave it.

Have fun learning how to do stocking stitch and making a project using this stitch, a new stitch in the stitch series what's that stitch will be posted next Thursday.

Patterns

Here are a few free patterns using stocking stitch form my collection:

• Fields of dreams headband
• Simple stocking stitch scarf

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