Simple (and free) knit stitch patterns for beginners to try are something that has been on my mind for a long time. I remember when I started to knit. You can do the Garter and Stockinette stitch only in a certain amount of time.

But these stitch patterns don’t have to be beginners only - they will be interesting for advanced knitters as well (although you might already know many of them). More advanced and interesting patterns get tiring sometimes. Or maybe you just want to watch TV and knit something mindlessly 🙂

All of today’s patterns are using two knitting techniques - knit and purl. Easy right? (and no, not boring.) You might be surprised by what you can do with only two types of knitting methods.

Before we continue I have a disclaimer to make. These are the patterns my grandmother taught me when I started to learn knitting. I don’t know the correct names, and though I tried to research, I have no idea if they are all “proper” stitch names.

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Abbreviations

• RS - right side;
• WS - wrong side;
• st(s) - stitch(es);
• k - knit;
• p - purl;
• rep - repeat;

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Stitch #1

Moss stitch

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1) rep to last stitch, k1.
• Row 2 (WS): (k1, p1) rep to last stitch, k1.

Repeat rows 1 to 2 to form a pattern.

The logic behind it is that you will alternate the stitches on each row - knit the purl stitches as they appear, and purl the knit stitches.

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Stitch #2

Double moss stitch

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1) rep to last stitch, k1.
• Row 2 (WS): (k1, p1) rep to last stitch, k1.
• Row 3: (p1, k1) rep to last stitch, p1.
• Row 4: (p1, k1) rep to last stitch, p1.

Repeat rows 1 to 4 to form a pattern (alternating the stitches every 2 rows).

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Stitch #3

1/1 Rib

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1) rep to last stitch, k1.
• Row 2 (WS): (p1, k1) rep to last stitch, p1.

Repeat rows 1 to 2 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #4

2/2 Rib

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4+2 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k2, p2) rep to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 2 (WS): (p2, k2) rep to last 2 stitches, p2.

Repeat rows 1 to 2 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #5

5/1 Rib

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 6+5 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k5, p1) rep to last 5 stitches, k5.
• Row 2 (WS): (p5, k1) rep to last 5 stitches, p5.

Repeat rows 1 to 2 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #6

3/3 Garter Stitch Rib

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 6+3 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): p3, (k3, p3) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 2 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #7

Broken Rib

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): p1, (k1, p1) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 2 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #8

Granite Stitch

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: (p1, k1) rep to last st, p1.
• Row 4: (k1, p1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 5: knit all stitches.
• Row 6: purl all stitches.
• Row 7: (k1, p1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 8: (p1, k1) rep to last st, p1.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #9

Seersucker Stitch

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1, k1, p1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 2 (WS): (p1, k1, p1, k1) rep to last st, p1.
• Row 3: (p1, k3) rep to last st, p1.
• Row 4: (k1, p3) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 5: (k1, p1, k1, p1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 6: (p1, k1, p1, k1) rep to last st, p1.
• Row 7: (k2, p1, k1) rep to last stitch, k1.
• Row 8: (p2, k1, p1) rep to last stitch, p1.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #10

Garter Stitch Ridges

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: knit all stitches.
• Row 5: purl all stitches.
• Row 6: knit all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 6 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #11

Stockinette Stitch With Garter Ridge

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: knit all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 4 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #12

Garter Stitch Rectangles

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 14+7 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): knit all stitches.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: k7, (p7, k7) rep to end.
• Row 5: knit all stitches.
• Row 6: knit all stitches.
• Row 7: knit all stitches.
• Row 8: p7, (k7, p7) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #13

Cobblestones

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 18+5 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: purl all stitches.
• Row 5: (k9, p5, k4) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 6: (p9, k5, p4) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 7: (k9, p5, k4) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 8: (p9, k5, p4) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 9: (k9, p5, k4) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 10: (p9, k5, p4) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 11: knit all stitches.
• Row 12: purl all stitches.
• Row 13: knit all stitches.
• Row 14: purl all stitches.
• Row 15: knit all stitches.
• Row 16: purl all stitches.
• Row 17: (p5, k13) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 18: (k5, p13) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 19: (p5, k13) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 20: (k5, p13) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 21: (p5, k13) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 22: (k5, p13) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 23: knit all stitches.
• Row 24: purl all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #14

5/5 Checks

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 10+5 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 2 (WS): (p5, k5) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 3: (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 4: (p5, k5) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 5: (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 6: (p5, k5) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 7: (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 8: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.
• Row 9: (p5, k5) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 10: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.
• Row 11: (p5, k5) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 12: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.
• Row 13: (p5, k5) rep to last 5 sts, p5.
• Row 14: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 14 to form a pattern.

You can modify this pattern by varying the number of stitches and rows in each square.

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Stitch #15

Basket Weave

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 6+2 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: (k2, p4) rep to last 2 sts, k2.
• Row 4: (p2, k4) rep to last 2 sts, p2.
• Row 5: (k2, p4) rep to last 2 sts, k2.
• Row 6: (p2, k4) rep to last 2 sts, p2.
• Row 7: knit all stitches.
• Row 8: k5, purl all stitches.
• Row 9: (p3, k2, p1) rep to last 2 sts, p2.
• Row 10: k2, (k1, p2, k3) rep to end.
• Row 11: (p3, k2, p1) rep to last 2 sts, p2.
• Row 12: k2, (k1, p2, k3) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 12 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #16

Interrupted Rib 1

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4+2 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k2, p2) rep to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 2 (WS): (p2, k2) rep to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 3: purl all stitches.
• Row 4: knit all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 4 to form a pattern.

Check the wrong side too. Quite interesting.

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Stitch #17

Woven Rib

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 12 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: purl all stitches.
• Row 5: (k3, p6, k3) rep to end.
• Row 6: (p3, k6, p3) rep to end.
• Row 7: (k3, p6, k3) rep to end.
• Row 8: (p3, k6, p3) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #18

5/5 Garter Stitch Checks

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 10+5 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 2 (WS): purl all stitches.
• Row 3: (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 4: purl all stitches.
• Row 5: (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 6: purl all stitches.
• Row 7: (k5, p5) rep to last 5 sts, k5.
• Row 8: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.
• Row 9: knit all stitches.
• Row 10: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.
• Row 11: knit all stitches.
• Row 12: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.
• Row 13: knit all stitches.
• Row 14: k5, (p5, k5) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #19

Grid Stitch

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 2+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 2 (WS): (p1, k1) rep to last st, p1.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: knit all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 4 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #20

Interrupted Rib 2

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4+2 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k2, p2) rep to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 2 (WS): (p2, k2) rep to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: knit all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 4 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #21

Squares

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 5+4 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): p4, (k1, p4) rep to end.
• Row 3: knit all stitches.
• Row 4: p4, (k1, p4) rep to end.
• Row 5: knit all stitches.
• Row 6: knit all stitches.

Repeat rows 1 to 6 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #22

Diagonal to the left

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 6 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (p1, k5) rep to end.
• Row 2 (WS): (p5, k1) rep to end.
• Row 3: (k1, p1, k4) rep to end.
• Row 4: (p4, k1, p1) rep to end.
• Row 5: (k2, p1, k3) rep to end.
• Row 6: (p3, k1, p2) rep to end.
• Row 7: (k3, p1, k2) rep to end.
• Row 8: (p2, k1, p3) rep to end.
• Row 9: (k4, p1, k1) rep to end.
• Row 10: (p1, k1, p4) rep to end.
• Row 11: (k5, p1) rep to end.
• Row 12: (k1, p5) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 12 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #23

Diagonal to the right

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 4 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k2, p2) rep to end.
• Row 2 (WS): (k2, p2) rep to end.
• Row 3: (k1, p2, k1) rep to end.
• Row 4: (p1, k2, p1) rep to end.
• Row 5: (p2, k2) rep to end.
• Row 6: (p2, k2) rep to end.
• Row 7: (p1, k2, p1) rep to end.
• Row 8: (k1, p2, k1) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #24

Fake cables to the right

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 6 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (k4, p2) rep to end.
• Row 2 (WS): (k2, p4) rep to end.
• Row 3: (k4, p2) rep to end.
• Row 4: (k2, p4) rep to end.
• Row 5: (k2, p2, k2) rep to end.
• Row 6: (p2, k2, p2) rep to end.
• Row 7: (k2, p2, k2) rep to end.
• Row 8: (p2, k2, p2) rep to end.
• Row 9: (p2, k4) rep to end.
• Row 10: (p4, k2) rep to end.
• Row 11: (p2, k4) rep to end.
• Row 12: (p4, k2) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 12 to form a pattern.

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Stitch #25

Diamonds

For symmetry, work on a multiple of 8+1 stitches, and an additional 1 edge stitch on each side. The pattern is given for the main pattern and edge stitches are not included.

• Row 1 (RS): (p1, k7) rep to last st, p1.
• Row 2 (WS): p1, (k1, p5, k1, p1) rep to end.
• Row 3: (k2, p1, k3, p1, k1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 4: p1, (p2, k1, p1, k1, p3) rep to end.
• Row 5: (k4, p1, k3) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 6: p1, (p2, k1, p1, k1, p3) rep to end.
• Row 7: (k2, p1, k3, p1, k1) rep to last st, k1.
• Row 8: p1, (k1, p5, k1, p1) rep to end.

Repeat rows 1 to 8 to form a pattern.

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