The garter stitch is the perfect beginner stitch — all you need to know is the knit stitch, making it a wonderful first project. This easy triangle scarf requires no increasing, decreasing, or shaping, just a little decorative ribbing at the bottom. You can even skip the purl stitches entirely and it will still look beautiful.
Check out our post on how to purl as well, for when you're ready to move beyond garter stitch.
The Garter Stitch is an easily recognizable stitch that's perfect for beginners and is the first stitch in our Sampler Stitch Project. When I first learned, knitting garter stitch scarves became my go-to project. Looking back at my collection of scarves that varied greatly in length, I could tell how long I stayed with a project by how big the scarf grew — and I'm still so appreciative of my family's support of my crafting hobbies.
Step 1 — Cast On
Begin with a long tail cast on using Mary Maxim's Best Value Yarn:
- 10" block: 46 stitches
- 5" block: 23 stitches
These stitch counts, measured after a few rows, give approximately 9¾ inches worked in garter stitch. Garter stitch is stretchy and will loosen slightly with use, so this allows for that. If your swatch isn't landing between 9¾" and 10¼", recount how many stitches you need and start again.
Step 2 & 3 — Knit the Rows
Step 2: Knit the entire row of stitches, turn.
Step 3 (stockinette edge): Purl the first two stitches, knit across until the last two stitches, purl the last two stitches, turn.
Compare the garter stitch and the stockinette stitch side by side: garter stitch lies flat at the edges, while stockinette curls under itself. To keep a finished garment flat, designers often work a few stitches of garter or moss stitch into the pattern edge — usually just a few stitches is enough to do the job.
What to Knit Next
Once garter and stockinette feel comfortable, try combining knits and purls in the Seersucker Stitch for a beautiful textured fabric.
We have lots more knit stitches coming your way and will be starting our Crochet Beginner Stitches soon as well. There's so much more to come, so make sure to subscribe and never miss a thing!
FAQ
Is garter stitch good for beginners?
Yes — it's widely considered the easiest knit stitch because every row is a knit row, with no purling required.
Does garter stitch curl like stockinette?
No. Garter stitch lies flat on both sides, which is exactly why it's often used as a non-curling border on stockinette projects.
