Created by working one knit row, followed by one purl row. The ridge created by these two rows is known as a Garter Stitch Ridge.
The sample shown was worked completely in garter stitch.
To create the clean edges on the right and left side of the work, I always slip (skip) the first peg (with yarn behind the peg), and take my working yarn to the front of peg 2, ready to begin working the row.
On the purl rows (for the sample, it is every even row), I purl until the peg before last, then I always knit the last peg.
The sample shows garter stitch ridges of alternating colors. I switched colors each time I ended a garter stitch ridge (after completing one knit row and one purl row). I carried the unused color up on the side (always on the right-hand side of the fabric).
By the way–the video also shows how to switch yarn colors so your garter stitch rows are perfect and the contrasting color doesn’t show on your right-side of the fabric. In case you were wondering–switch colors after you have completed an entire garter stitch ridge repetition (both a knit row, and a purl row), switch color on the next repetition.
Disclaimer: there are probably other methods of achieving clean garter stitch edges, this method works for me, and thus I am sharing it.
The pattern can be found in the “Sock Loom Projects” book by KBLooms. The video demonstrates Round 2 of the stitch pattern used in the pattern.
Loom used for the demonstration: KB Looms Premium Chunky Round Loom (the smallest one in the set).
Knitting tool: KB Looms tool, came with the package of the Premium Chunky Round Looms.
Yarn used for the demonstration: Malabrigo Rasta. It is a super bulky weight yarn.
Stitches used: knit stitch (k), yarn over (yo), slip stitch (sl), pass over slipped stitch (psso), knit two stitches together (k2tog).
Note on the stitch pattern: I always undo the ewraps created for the YO and I let the yarn ladder sit to the front of the peg. I do this to allow the eyelet created by the YO to be bigger/more noticeable. When I am working the next round/row on the stitch pattern, I undo the ewrap before working the peg.
Another old resource that I have had housed in my previous website. This is also a PDF file. You can download to your computer and save it for future use.
Note, this tutorial is old (2002), I am rehousing it from my other website. I don’t want to lose it and I think people may find it useful, although the knitting looms shown are no longer being manufactured, the techniques still apply to other knitting looms. This is a PDF document.
When in doubt about how much yarn I will need, I consult with a yarn calculator. I recommend the one from Jimmybeanswool.com. I have been using it for a long time and it has always been a good starting point. When I order my yarn, I like to order about 10% more just in case. I much rather have extra than to run out. The above information is an image, you can right click and save it to your computer/phone.
Malabrigo dreams…always. I have been on a kick lately wanting to create items with only Malabrigo Rasta. Thus this headband was born. Grab a skein of Malabrigo Rasta and a Chunky gauge loom and create a toasty headband to wear this winter.
A brief note about my patterns: they are free of charge. Yes, you can use the pattern to create items to sell. Feel free to link to the pattern from your blog–why a link? Just in case I update the pattern with extra information or information that I forgot to add (you probably want to have the corrected version).
PATTERN
ABBREVIATIONS
k=knit stitch (u-stitch, or true knit stitch recommended)
k1b=knit into the stitch below (shown in the video).
p=purl stitch
sts=stitches
rep=repeat
approx=approximately
MATERIALS
Loom: Premium Chunky Round Loom (teal/smallest loom in the set) .
Yarn: Approximately 75 yards of bulky weight yarn. Sample was worked with Malabrigo Rasta in Purple Mystery.
Size: Fits a head circumference up to 21″ (using the loom above and the yarn specified above). Headband is 5″ wide.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 15 stitches.
Row 1 (from left to right): p2, *p2, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, p4.
Row 2: k2, *p2, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, p2, k2.
Row 3: p2, *p2, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, p4.
Row 4: k2, *p1, k1b; rep from * to last 4 sts, p2, k2.
Repeat Rows 1-4 until headband measures 18 inches (or desired length) from cast on edge.
Bind off with basic bind-off method.
Assembly:
Lay item flat, lengthwise, right side up.
Fold it in half.
Grab the end on the left side with your left-hand, grab the end on the right side with your right-hand. With your right-hand, twist your hand in a forward motion, thus twisting the fabric down.
Sandwich the end being held on the right-hand to the edge on the left-hand. Using yarn tail end, sew through all 4 layers. Weave all ends in. Turn headband right-side out.
In an effort to build some of the patterns in the video library, I will be creating some basic patterns and uploading the patterns to YouTube. The Garter Stitch Beanie is pretty basic when it comes to instructions, and you can change it up easily to adapt it to other sizes/knitting looms. The video and pattern were created using the KB Looms Flexee Loom Chunky.
A brief note about my patterns: they are free of charge. Yes, you can use the pattern to create items to sell. Feel free to link to the pattern from your blog–why a link? Just in case I update the pattern with extra information or information that I forgot to add.
PATTERN
ABBREVIATIONS
K=knit stitch (u-stitch, or true knit stitch recommended)
P=purl stitch
SSK=direct translation from needle knitting, it stands for “slip one, slip one, knit two together”. The decrease slants to the left on the knit side of the work.
Size: Fits a head circumference up to 21″ (using the loom above and the yarn specified above).
WAIT, WAIT….I don’t have the above loom, what other loom can I use? If you don’t have the Flexee Loom Chunky and you want to use Bulky weight yarn, you can use any other large gauge knitting loom that is close in loom gauge. If you want to use a different loom gauge, then I suggest using the loom that creates a hat that is the desired size and yarn weight suitable for that loom gauge.
The decreases at the top of the crown may not be feasible if you are using a loom that doesn’t allow you to remove links or move sliders down–in this case, work until the hat is about 7.5 inches in length (length will vary depending on size of hat you are creating), then bind off with the gather removal method.
Note: the combination of the loom gauge and the yarn you use will determine the size of your hat. If you use a different loom and a different yarn, your gauge may be completely different than the one I obtained. Please adjust accordingly to fit your needs.
INSTRUCTIONS
Assemble 22 Flexee Chunky Links into a circular configuration to work in the round.
Cast on 44 sts, join to work in the round.
Round 1-10: *k1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd. (Approx 2.5″)
Round 11: k to end of rnd.
Round 12: p to end rnd.
Repeat Rounds 11 and 12 until hat measures approx 7″ from cast on edge. (The ridges created by these two rounds is what is known as “garter stitch”).
Next round: *ssk; rep from * to end of rnd.
Next round: p to end of rnd.
Next round: *ssk, rep from * to end of rnd.
Bind off with gather removal method. Weave all ends in.
Gently tug vertically on the hat to set the stitches.
VIDEO
Garter StitchBits of Knowledge
The garter stitch in the round or flat (only in loom knitting) is created by alternating a knit round/row (any kind of knit stitch) and a purl round/row. In needle knitting, when knitting a flat panel, the garter is created by working the knit stitch both on the right side and wrong side rows.
The garter stitch creates a ridged texture fabric. These ridges create a thick fabric that doesn’t curl-it lies flat. Typically, you will see this texture around the edges of blankets, scarves, shawls as it prevents the edges from curling in. Another great characteristic of the garter stitch–it is reversible! Both sides will look the same.
I shared this on my instagram account and there were a few people interested in the pattern. I don’t really have a name for this hat, although I have created it over 50 times with different yarns, I don’t think I ever gave it a name. It is my default pattern when I knit for gifts or for fun while I watch tv. I can’t sit and watch tv without knitting on my lap, it makes me feel guilty to be “wasting” time, so I have to knit to make myself feel less guilty.
The pattern is pretty simple, and of course, it uses my favorite yarn of all time, Malabrigo Rasta.
Flexee Loom set up in the round (sample shows it with 22 links)
ABBREVIATIONS
K=knit stitch (u-stitch, or true knit stitch recommended)
Size: Fits a head circumference up to 21″ (using the loom above and the yarn specified above).
WAIT, WAIT….I don’t have the above loom, what other loom can I use?
If you don’t have the Flexee Loom Chunky, you can use any other large gauge knitting loom that has a peg multiple of 4 (36, 40, 44, 48 pegs etc). Use the stitch chart below to help you in keeping track of your rounds. The decreases at the top of the crown may not be feasible if you are using a loom that doesn’t allow you to remove links or move sliders down–in this case, work until the hat is about 7.5 inches in length then bind off with the gather removal method.
Note: the combination of the loom gauge and the yarn you use will determine the size of your hat. If you use a different loom and a different yarn, your gauge may be completely different than the one I obtained. Please adjust accordingly to fit your needs.
INSTRUCTIONS
Assemble 24 Flexee Chunky Links into a circular configuration to work in the round.
Cast on 48 sts, join to work in the round.
Round 1-6: *k2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd. (The brim is approximately 2″)
Round 7: *k3, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Round 8: *k2, p1, k1; rep from * to end of rnd.
Round 9: *k1, p1, k2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Round 10: *p1, k3; rep from * to end of rnd.
Repeat Rounds 7-10 until item measures approximately 7 inches from cast on edge.
Next round: *k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. (24 sts remain)
Next round: *k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. (12 sts remain)
Bind off with gather removal method. Weave in all ends. Gently tug vertically on the knitted item to set the stitches.
Chart of the stitch pattern (multiple of 4 stitches in the round).
