Garter stitch is knit and purl on every row, in the same column

Garter stitch is made by knitting every stitch on every row. That's it. You knit the first row, turn your work around, and knit the second row the same way. No purling, no pattern changes, no counting stitches differently on alternate rows. The result is a bumpy, textured fabric that looks the same on both sides.

The bumps you see are the loops created when you knit a stitch that was purled in the row below (or knitted, depending on how you look at it). Because you're knitting every stitch, every row creates the same texture. This makes garter stitch forgiving: if you drop a stitch or make a mistake, it's usually invisible in the pattern.

Garter stitch is thicker and less stretchy than stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row). It also curls less at the edges, which is why it's often used for borders on sweaters and scarves. Beginners often start with garter stitch because there's nothing to remember between rows.

Key Takeaways

  • Garter stitch requires only the knit stitch, worked on every row without any purl rows or pattern changes.
  • The fabric is bumpy and textured on both sides, making mistakes harder to spot than in other stitches.
  • You cast on your stitches, then knit every stitch of every row until your piece reaches the length you want.
  • Garter stitch is thicker and less stretchy than stockinette, so it works well for scarves, blankets, and garment edges.
  • The stitch looks the same whether you're reading the pattern or watching the fabric grow on your needles.

Cast on your stitches and hold the needles correctly

Start by casting on the number of stitches your pattern calls for. If you're practicing without a pattern, cast on 20 to 30 stitches on needles sized for your yarn. The cast-on row sits on your left needle; the working yarn hangs from the right needle.

Hold the needles however feels natural to you. Some knitters hold the right needle like a pencil (the pencil grip), and others hold it like a knife (the knife grip). Both work for garter stitch. The important thing is that you can move the right needle easily to insert it into stitches and pull yarn through.

Knit every stitch on the first row

Insert the right needle through the first stitch on the left needle, from left to right, going under the left needle. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle (usually from back to front, depending on your hand position), then pull the right needle back through the stitch, bringing the new loop with it. The old stitch slides off the left needle.

Repeat this motion for every stitch on the left needle. When you reach the end of the row, all stitches will be on the right needle. You've completed row one.

Turn your work and knit the second row the same way

Swap the needles in your hands so the needle with stitches is now on your left. The working yarn should hang from the right needle. Knit every stitch on this row exactly as you did the first row: insert the right needle, wrap yarn, pull through, and slide the old stitch off.

This is where garter stitch becomes straightforward. You don't switch to purling. You don't count rows or change your technique. You knit row two the same way you knit row one. When you finish, swap the needles again and knit row three the same way.

Keep the tension even as you work

Tension means how tightly you hold the yarn as you knit. Uneven tension makes some stitches loose and others tight, which shows as bumpy, irregular fabric. To keep tension steady, hold the working yarn at a consistent distance from the needle and wrap it the same way on every stitch.

If your first few rows look loose or uneven, don't worry. Tension usually improves after the first 10 to 15 rows as your hands learn the rhythm. Garter stitch is forgiving because the bumpy texture hides small tension changes better than smooth stitches do.

Bind off when your piece reaches the length you want

When your fabric is as long as you need it, you bind off to find the stitches so they don't unravel. Knit two stitches, then use the left needle to lift the first stitch over the second stitch and off the right needle. Knit one more stitch, then lift the previous stitch over it. Repeat until one stitch remains, then cut the yarn and pull the end through the last stitch.

Binding off is the same for garter stitch as for any other stitch. The goal is to lock each stitch into the one below it so the edge doesn't come undone.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The most common mistake is accidentally purling a stitch when you meant to knit. This breaks the garter stitch pattern and creates a smooth stripe. If you notice it right away, you can drop back to that row and fix it, but garter stitch is forgiving enough that one purl stitch usually blends in after a few rows.

Another common issue is dropping a stitch and not noticing until several rows later. Garter stitch makes this straightforward to miss because the bumpy texture hides the gap. If you spot a dropped stitch, you can pick it back up with a crochet hook by pulling the working yarn through each row above it until the stitch is restored.

Twisted stitches (where the stitch sits sideways on the needle) are less noticeable in garter stitch than in stockinette, but they do make the fabric tighter. If you see them, you can usually just keep knitting and they'll even out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to knit every single row, or can I purl some rows?

If you purl some rows, you're making stockinette stitch, not garter stitch. Garter stitch is defined by knitting every row. That said, if you knit one row and purl one row, you get a different texture that some knitters prefer. Both are valid; they're just different stitches.

Why does my garter stitch look different on the front and back?

It shouldn't. Garter stitch looks identical on both sides. If one side looks smooth and the other bumpy, you may have accidentally purled some rows or switched stitches partway through. Check your last few rows to see where the pattern changed.

Can I use garter stitch for a whole sweater?

Yes. Garter stitch is thicker and less stretchy than stockinette, so a garter stitch sweater will be warmer and hold its shape better. It will also be heavier. Many knitters use garter stitch for the body and stockinette for the sleeves to balance weight and stretch.

What happens if I accidentally drop a stitch?

The stitch will unravel downward until you catch it. Use a crochet hook to pick it back up by pulling the working yarn through each row. Garter stitch makes this easier because the bumpy texture helps you see where the stitch should go.

Is garter stitch the same on both needles, or do I do something different on the second needle?

It's exactly the same. You knit every stitch on the left needle with the right needle, then swap and knit every stitch on the new left needle. No changes, no pattern to follow, no switching between knit and purl.