Knitting Stitch How To: Linen Stitch

I love playing with different stitches in knitting, and the Linen Stitch is one of my favorites. The linen stitch is a lovely slipped stitch knitting pattern which makes a dense and finely detailed stitch. The fabric looks almost woven. It is solid and beautiful to look at. The linen stitch is great for warmth or a stiffer fabric. Try adding new stitch knitting patterns to basics you love, like a hat or scarf, to give an old favorite brand new life. Or, If you’re looking for some simple, free linen stitch patterns, I’ve included links to some of my favorites at the end of this post.

Once you start trying different stitch patterns, you’ll be addicted. My suggestion when trying any new stitch is to make a full swatch (6 x 6 inches) so you can really get a feel for the pattern, how it will hang, and understand its true gauge. If applying to an favorite knitting pattern, you may need to adjust the pattern accordingly. I’ve written out this stitch patterns in both the traditional way and with step-by-step photos to illustrate that pesky knitting terminology that everyone is magically supposed to know. It’s so easy to follow these instructions, so don’t be scared. Dive in and try something new!

In the linen stitch, you slip every other stitch and knit (or purl) every other stitch. At the same time, you carry the yarn in front of the slipped knit stitch on the right side of the work or behind the slipped purl stitch on the wrong side of the work.

Above is the wrong side of the pattern. I think it still looks beautiful.

Linen Stitch Pattern

Note: Though you can work this pattern over an even number of stitches, I like to add an extra stitch, though, to make the sides have an even look to them. It is a two row repeat.
When slipping stitches, slip purl-wise (with the needle in front of the slip stitch, not behind).

Cast on an odd number of stitches,

Row 1: slip 1 (purlwise) *knit 1, bring yarn to front, slip 1 (purlwise), bring yarn to the back; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *purl 1, move yarn to the back, slip 1 (purlwise), bring yarn to the front; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.
Repeat these two rows to form the pattern.

Below, I have included step-by-step photos with descriptive instructions so you can see exactly how the stitch works. These are not meant to replace the instructions above but to clarify specific aspects of it.

This is how the fabric will look from the right side. You can see the slipped stitch coming from the prior row. On this side of the work, these are the stitches you will be knitting.

Knit one stitch.

Bring the yarn to the front of the work.

Slip the next stitch purl wise (bring the right hand needle to the front of the left hand needle, instead of behind).

Bring the yarn to the back of the work.

Knit the next stitch. Repeat this series of steps until the end. Turn the work.

On the wrong side, you complete a similar set of stitches except you are purling the stitch that had been slipped on the opposite side and you carry the yarn on the back of the work. Purl 1 stitch.

Bring the working yarn to the back of the work and slip the next stitch.

Bring the yarn back to the front of the work and purl the next stitch. Repeat until the end.

That’s it! I hope you find lots of new and lovely uses for your newly acquired stitch pattern! Are you looking for a gorgeous project to try your new stitch with? Try this stunning colorblock wrap or this simple linen stitch scarf.

This post was created for MarthaStewart.com by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine as a Contributor. It was published there on September 30, 2015. Have fun exploring my profile and work there.