Beginner knitters usually start by learning the knit stitch, to make garter stitch, then adding the purl stitch to make stocking stitch, and alternating the two for rib stitch, but there's so much more you can do with those knits and purls! Our knit and purl patterns collection will show you just what you can achieve with the two most basic knitting stitches.
Don't be put off by how complex some of these stitches look – if you know how to do a knit stitch and how to purl in knitting you can easily master our knit and purl patterns. Arm yourself with stitch markers and a row counter to help keep track of where you are in the pattern, and you're ready to go.
If knits and purls aren't enough, we've also added increases, decreases and more to bring you a collection of textured knitting stitch patterns to add depth and interest to your knits.
Whether you're designing your own patterns, adding a unique twist to existing ones, or just trying out new stitches for fun, they're sure to provide inspiration.
Here's what you'll find in our stitch patterns collection:
Knit and purl patterns
Two stitches, so many possibilities! Go beyond moss stitch and rib stitch with these beginner-friendly knit and purl patterns. All of our designs use our standard knitting abbreviations.
Here's what's in our collection:
- Checkerboard
- Columns and stripes
- Double basket
- Garter diamonds
- Hurdle stitch
- Little purl chevron
- Raised diamonds
- Rows and columns
- Tessellation
- Two colour dip
Checkerboard
Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 2. (Try 50 sts)
Row 1 (WS) K2, *P4, K2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS) P2, *K4, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 3 K2, *P4, K2; rep from * to end.
Row 4 P2, *K4, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 5 K2, *(wrap yarn twice around needle to purl stitch) 4 times, K2; rep from * to end.
Row 6 P2, *K4 dropping extra loop from previous row, P2; rep from * to end.
These 6 rows form the pattern.
Columns and stripes
Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 3. (Try 39 sts.)
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 Purl.
Rep these two rows once more.
Row 5 K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 6 P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Rep these two rows once more.
Row 9 K1, P1, K1, *P3, K1, P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 10 P1, K1, P1, *K3, P1, K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Rep these two rows once more.
These 12 rows form the pattern.
Double basket
Cast on a multiple of 18 sts plus 10 sts.
Row 1 (RS) *K11, P2, K2, P2, K1; rep from * to last 10 sts, K10.
Row 2 P1, K8, P1, *P1, (K2, P2) twice, K8, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 3 *K1, P8, (K2, P2) twice, K1; rep from * to last 10 sts, K1, P8, K1.
Row 4 P10, *P1, K2, P2, K2, P11; rep from * to end.
Row 5 *K11, P2, K2, P2, K1; rep from * to last 10 sts, K10.
Row 6 P1, K8, P1, *P1, (K2, P2) twice, K8, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 7 *K1, P8, (K2, P2) twice, K1; rep from * to last 10 sts, K1, P8, K1.
Row 8 P10, *P1, K2, P2, K2, P11; rep from * to end.
Row 9 Knit.
Row 10 (P2, K2) twice, P2, *P10, (K2, P2) twice; rep from * to end.
Row 11 *(K2, P2) twice, K2, P8; rep from * to last 10 sts, (K2, P2) twice, K2.
Row 12 (P2, K2) twice, P2, *K8, (P2, K2) twice, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 13 *(K2, P2) twice, K10; rep from * to last 10 sts, (K2, P2) twice, K2.
Row 14 (P2, K2) twice, P2, *P10, (K2, P2) twice; rep from * to end.
Row 15 *(K2, P2) twice, K2, P8; rep from * to last 10 sts, (K2, P2) twice, K2.
Row 16 (P2, K2) twice, P2, *K8, (P2, K2) twice, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 17 *(K2, P2) twice, K10; rep from * to last 10 sts, (K2, P2) twice, K2.
Row 18 Purl.
Garter diamonds
Cast on a multiple of 18 sts plus 19 sts.
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 K2, *P6, K3; rep from * to last 8 sts, P6, K2.
Row 3 and all odd numbered rows Knit.
Row 4 P6, *K7, P11; rep from * to last 13 sts, K7, P6.
Row 6 P4, *K11, P7; rep from * to last 15 sts, K11, P4.
Row 8 P2, *K15, P3; rep from * to last 17 sts, K15, P2.
Row 10 P4, *K11, P7; rep from * to last 15 sts, K11, P4.
Row 12 P6, *K7, P11; rep from * to last 13 sts, K7, P6.
Row 14 K2, *P6, K3; rep from * to last 8 sts, P6, K2.
Row 16 K4, *P11, K7; rep from * to last 15 sts, P11, K4.
Row 18 K6, *P7, K11; rep from * to last 13 sts, P7, K6.
Row 20 K8, *P3, K15; rep from * to last 11 sts, P3, K8.
Row 22 K6, *P7, K11; rep from * to last 13 sts, P7, K6.
Row 24 K4, *P11, K7; rep from * to last 14 sts, P11, K4.
Hurdle stitch
Cast on a multiple of two plus any edge stitches you might like.
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 (WS) Knit.
Row 3 K1, P1 to end
Row 4 K1, P1 to end.
These 4 rows form the pattern.
Little purl chevron
Cast on a multiple of 10 sts plus 1 st. (Try 41 sts.)
Row 1 (RS) P1, *K1, P1, (K2, P1) twice, K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 K1, *P2, (K1, P1) twice, K1, P2, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 3 P1, *K3, P3, K3, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 4 K2, *P3, K1, P3, K3; rep from * to last 9 sts, P3, K1, P3, K2.
Rep Rows 1-4 to form pattern.
Raised diamonds
Cast on a multiple of 4 sts plus 3.
Row 1 (RS) Purl to end.
Row 2 Knit to end.
Row 3 P3, *insert needle into st 2 rows below next st and K1, drop unworked st above, P3; rep from * to end.
Row 4 Knit to end.
Row 5 Purl to end.
Row 6 Knit to end.
Row 7 P1, *insert needle into st 2 rows below next st and K1, drop unworked st above, P3; rep from * to last 2 sts, insert needle into st 2 rows below next st and K1, drop unworked st above, P1.
Row 8 Knit to end.
Rows 1-8 form pattern.
Rows and columns
Cast on a multiple of 2 sts plus 1.
Row 1 (WS) K2, *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 2 K1, *knit next st in row below (dropping unworked st from left needle above), P1; rep from * to end.
Row 3 K2, *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 4 K1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 5 K2, *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 6 K1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 7 K2, *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 8 K1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to end.
Row 9 K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 10 K1, P1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 11 K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 12 K1, P1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 13 K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 14 K1, P1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 15 K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 16 K1, P1, *knit next st in row below, P1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Rows 1-16 form pattern.
Tessellation
Cast on a multiple of 12 sts.
Row 1 (RS) *K6, P1, K5; rep from * to end.
Row 2 *P4, K3, P5; rep from * to end.
Row 3 *K4, P5, K3; rep from * to end.
Row 4 *P2, K7, P3; rep from * to end.
Row 5 *K2, P9, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 6 Purl to end.
Row 7 *P1, K11; rep from * to end.
Row 8 *K1, P9, K2; rep from * to end.
Row 9 *P3, K7, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 10 *K3, P5, K4; rep from * to end.
Row 11 *P5, K3, P4; rep from * to end.
Row 12 Purl to end.
Rows 1-12 form pattern.
Two colour dip
Lastly, try something a little trickier! Knit into a stitch 6 rows below to create these elongated stitches.
Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches plus 2 (try 42) with Yarn A and purl one row.
Rows 1 & 3 (WS) Purl with Yarn B.
Rows 2 & 4 (RS) Knit with Yarn B.
Row 5 Knit with Yarn A.
Row 6 With Yarn A K1, *insert RH needle from front under purl loop of st 6 rows below next st, knit an extra st in this st, then knit the next st on the LH needle and pass the extra st over it; K7, rep from * to last st, K1.
Rows 7 & 9 Purl with Yarn B.
Rows 8 & 10 Knit with Yarn B.
Row 11 Knit with Yarn A.
Row 12 With Yarn A K5, *insert RH needle from front under purl loop of st 6 rows below next st, knit an extra st in this st, then knit the next st on the LH needle and pass the extra st over it; K7, rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.
These 12 rows form the pattern.
Conquer cable knitting!
Take your knitting beyond knit and purl patterns with our beginners' tutorial on how to cable knit.
Textured knit and purl patterns
Adding some increases and decreases to your knits and purls opens up a whole new world of textured knitting stitch patterns (not to mention lace knitting too)!
Follow our guides to find out how to increase a stitch in knitting and how to decrease in knitting, then give the stitches below a try. You'll be surprised what you can create with just a little extra effort.
Textured knit and purl patterns look fab on scarves, blankets and more, so why not use them as a springboard for creating your own unique designs? You could even learn how to design your own socks! Whatever you're making, scroll down for loads of knitting inspiration…
As ever, these patterns use our standard knitting abbreviations. Here's what you can try:
Berry stitch
Cast on a multiple of 4 sts. (Try 44 sts.)
Row 1 (WS) K2, *(K1, P1, K1) into next st, p3tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Rows 2 & 4 Purl.
Row 3 K2, *p3tog, (K1, P1, K1) into next st; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Repeat these 4 rows to form pattern.
Busy bees
Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 5. (Try 47 sts.)
Row 1 and all odd rows (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (RS) K4, *yo, K3, pass yo over last 3 knit stitches, K3; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 4 K4, *yo, K3, pass yo over last 3 knit stitches, K3; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 6 K4, *yo, K3, pass yo over last 3 knit stitches, K3; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 8 K1, *yo, K3, pass yo over last 3 knit stitches, K3; rep from * to last 4 sts, yo, K3, pass yo over 3 knit stitches, K1.
Row 10 K1, *yo, K3, pass yo over last 3 knit stitches, K3; rep from * to last 4 sts, yo, K3, pass yo over 3 knit stitches, K1.
Row 12 K1, *yo, K3, pass yo over last 3 knit stitches, K3, rep from * to last 4 sts, yo, K3, pass yo over 3 knit stitches, K1.
These 12 rows form the pattern.
Cocoon
To create stripes with the Cocoon stitch simply change colours on rows 3, 9 and 15.
Cast on a multiple of 8 sts plus 3 sts.
Row 1 (WS) P1, K1, P1, *K5, P1, K1, P1; rep from * to end, turn.
Row 2 K1, P1, K1, *P5, K1, P1, K1; rep from * to end, turn.
Row 3 P1, M1, (K1, P1, K1) into the same st, M1, P1, *p5tog, P1, M1, (K1, P1, K1) all into same stitch, M1, P1; rep from * to end, turn.
Row 4 K1, P5, *K1, P1, K1, P5; rep from * to last stitch, K1, turn.
Row 5 P1, K5, *P1, K1, P1, K5; rep from * to last stitch, K1, turn.
Rows 6 & 7 As rows 4 & 5.
Row 8 As row 4.
Row 9 P1, p5tog, P1, *M1, (K1, P1, K1) into the same st, M1, P1, p5tog, P1; rep from * to end, turn.
Row 10 As row 2.
Row 11 As row 1.
Rows 12 & 13 As rows 10 & 11.
Row 14 As row 10.
Row 15 As row 3.
Repeat rows 4-15 until desired length is reached, then repeat rows 10 & 11 once more.
Cast off and weave in ends.
Faux smocking
Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 3. (Try 39 sts.)
Row 1 (RS) K1, *K4, P2; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Rows 2, 3 and 4 Work all sts in the manner that they present.
Row 5 K1, *insert the right-hand needle after the 4th st on the left-hand needle, take yarn round needle and draw up a loop, K1, P2, K3; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 6 K1, P1, *P3, K2, p2tog; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 7 K1, *K1, P2, K3; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Rows 8, 9 and 10 Work all sts in the manner that they present.
Row 11 K2, *K2, insert the right-hand needle after the 4th st on the left-hand needle, take yarn round needle and draw up a loop, K1, P2, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 12 K1, *P1, K2, p2tog, P2; rep from * to last 2 sts, P1, K1.
Row 13 K2, *K3, P2, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 14 Work all sts in the manner that they present.
Repeat rows 3 to 14 to form the pattern.
Little clusters
Cast on a multiple of 2 sts plus 2. (Try 40 sts.)
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 K1, *k2tog; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 3 K1, *kfb; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 4 Purl.
These 4 rows form the pattern.
Little wings
Cast on a multiple of 9 sts plus 3 (try 48 sts).
Row 1 K2, *yo, K8, yo, K1; rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 2 K3, *P8, K3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 3 K3, *yo, K8, yo, K3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 4 K4, *P8, K5; rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.
Row 5 K4, *yo, K8, yo, K5; rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.
Row 6 K5, *P8, K7; rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.
Row 7 K5, *k4tog tbl, k4tog, K7; rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.
Row 8 Knit.
Repeat these 8 rows to form the pattern.
Puffed wheat
Cast on a multiple of 4 sts plus 3 (try 43 sts).
Row 1 and every alt row (WS) Purl.
Row 2 K3, *yo, P1, yo, K3; rep from * to end of row.
Row 4 K4, yo, P1, yo, *K5, yo, P1, yo; rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.
Row 6 K5, yo, P1, yo, *K7, yo, P1, yo; rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.
Row 8 K6, yo, P1, yo, *K9, yo, P1, yo; rep from * to last 6 sts, K6.
Row 10 K3, *k4tog tbl, P1, k4tog tbl; rep from * to end of row.
Row 12 K3, *p3tog, K3; rep from * to end of row.
Rep these 12 rows to form the pattern.
Master the basics using knit and purl patterns…
Trying out new stitch patterns is a great way to improve your knitting skills. Begin with the simplest knit and purl patterns to master switching between the two stitches, then when you're feeling confident with the basics start adding in other stitches.
You'll be amazed how quickly you progress, and how many different patterns you can create!
…then take it further with Gathered
For even more patterns to help expand your knitting knowledge, take a look at our complete collection of knitting stitches. With over 120 patterns to try, you'll find a stitch for every project!
