Wyndlestraw Designs
  • Home
  • Reversible Knitting Stitches Book
    • What's in the book – Chapter Information
    • Using Reversible Knitting Stitches
    • Project ideas
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Blogposts
  • About
  • Contact

Blogposts

To dream, to laugh, to knit . . . A day well spent.

Glorious Garter Stitch

17/3/2019

0 Comments

 
Ugly Blanket by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
A question for you: what is the first stitch every knitter learns? Well that's a bit of a trick question since there are only two possible answers, a knit or a purl, but if I was to answer that I suppose I'd say most people learn the knit stitch first.

And now a 2nd question: can you name two stitch patterns using only knit stitches? This time there would be a few options to choose from, but here are two: if you were working in the round, you would probably be working in Stocking Stitch (or as they call it over here, Stockinette Stitch).

However, if you were working back-and-forth on straight needles, then that would most likely be Garter Stitch. Every Row: Knit to end. Simple, easy, yet so versatile.
Patchwork Cushion by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
Garter Stitch is a dense, compact stitch which produces deep areas of colour with a wonderful stitch definition and texture. It can be worked all in one colour, but I think it really comes into its own when sections of Garter Stitch in different yarns are worked side-by-side. For example, in Anna's Patchwork Cushion, blocks of Garter Stitch in different colours co-ordinate to give a dynamic, modern result.
Winsford Stroller Blanket by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Garter Stitch is also absolutely gorgeous when worked in stripes. For example, in the Winsford Stroller Blanket above, the pattern features bands in solid and two-colour stripes.

This is a variation of Garter Stitch called Wide Garter Columns from our book, 
Reversible Knitting Stitches, and it gives a wonderful blending of the two colours used in the pattern.
Ugly Blanket by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
However, you don't need to work any variation of Garter Stitch for a striped pattern. At the top of this blogpost and in the photo above, you can see how well stripes work in the basic stitch. This is Anna's Ugly Blanket which has been worked in a variety of colours.

I love that name! It stems from an initial impression of some left-over yarns as they looked so unpromising when all mixed together in their basket. However, Garter Stitch came to the rescue and blended them perfectly in the finished blanket!
Quilted Hot Pad by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
Garter Stitch has several other qualities too. Firstly, it is a reversible pattern, meaning that both sides look good so you don't have to choose which side is the "Right Side". In fact, it is one of those rare species: a truly reversible stitch, so both faces are identical.

One result of this reversibility is that Garter Stitch lies flat. I have written about this here and here, but to recap: knitwear has a tendency to curl when one side has more purl "bumps" than the other. The purl stitches push outwards and the result is a curl in the finished item. Sometimes this is desirable, such as when you want to make an easy roll-necked sweater. However, this is not usually a good feature.
Quilted Hot Pad by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
Garter Stitch is perfectly balanced with exactly the same number of purl "bumps" on both sides, so lays absolutely flat. This quality can be used for items that need to be level, such as rugs and hot pads. For example, in Anna's Quilted Hot Pads above, a T-shirting yarn has been used to make a pad with raised stitches over a Garter Stitch base giving a perfectly flat, insulated layer for your saucepans.

Another quality of Garter Stitch is that it tends to push out widthwise so can hold other designs open. In the Quilted Hot Pads, this is important so that the insulating ribs of the stitch are held securely in place.

In other patterns, small sections of Garter Stitch can be used to give warmth and texture to a design. I will come back to that next time and see how panels of Garter Stitch can be used in a baby blanket.
Glorious Garter Stitch E-book by Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway Designs
Meanwhile, if you have enjoyed seeing some of Anna's wonderful explorations of Garter Stitch, then please visit her website and read more about her new E-Book, Glorious Garter Stitch.

If you would also like to read more about our Reversible Knitting Stitches book, then please click here.

Until next time - Happy Knitting!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: A return to winter and a new scarf
Next Up: Of tree branches and baby blankets

​​Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Patterns/Cushions, Patterns/Blankets, Patterns/Home Extras,
Garter Stitch, reversible stitch, reversible knitting, reversible blanket, Anna Ravenscroft, Anna Alway,

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Moira Ravenscroft in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA

    About me...

    Moira knits & drinks tea as she travels around the USA, Sweden & the UK.


    Search


    Blogpost Links:

    REVERSIBLE STITCHES:
    ◼︎ ​Reversible Knitting Stitches E-book

    ​
    ​​​◼︎ ​ 12 for 12: Twelve Reversible Knitting Stitches & Patterns

    ​
    ​KNITTING TECHNIQUES:
    ​​​◼︎ ​Tips & Techniques
    ​​​◼︎ ​Gauge​​
    ​​​​​◼︎ ​Colour Notes​
    ​​​◼︎ ​​Yarn Notes
    ​
    ​
    ​​​◼︎ ​Seeing Double – Using two ends of yarn held together
    ​

    PROJECT IDEAS:
    ​​​​​◼︎ ​Knitting Ahead
    ​​​​​◼︎ ​Autumn Accessories
    ​​​​​◼︎ Winter Knits​​​

    ​PATTERNS:
    ​
    ​​​◼︎ ​Mens Patterns
    ​
    ​    – Scarf Size Notes
        – Scarf Yarn Notes
    ​
    ​​​◼︎ ​Women's Scarves
    ​     & Wraps

    ​​​◼︎ ​Accessories
    ​​​◼︎ ​For Little Ones
    ​​​◼︎ ​Bags
    ​​​​    – BYOB Bags:
           Pattern variations
    ​​​​​​
    ​​​    – BYOB Market Bag:
            Knit-along
     ​
    ​​​
    ◼︎
     ​Placemats &
        Table Settings

    ​​​◼︎ ​Cushions
    ​​​◼︎ ​Blankets
    ​​​◼︎ ​Rugs​​​
    ​​​◼︎ ​Home Extras

    ​NEWS & UPDATES:
    ​
    ​​​◼︎ ​News & Updates​​​
    ​◼︎
     ​Notes & Travels

    Categories

    All
    Book/Reversible Knitting Stitches
    Book/Twelve Reversible Stitches & Patterns
    Knitting/Colour Notes
    Knitting/Gauge
    Knitting/Tips & Techniques
    Knitting/Using Two Ends Of Yarn Together
    Knitting/Yarn Notes
    News & Updates
    Notes & Travels
    Patterns/Accessories
    Patterns/Bags
    Patterns/Bags – BYOB Bags
    Patterns/Bags – BYOB Market Bag Knit Along
    Patterns/Bags – BYOB Market Bag Knit Along
    Patterns/Blankets
    Patterns/Cushions
    Patterns/For Little Ones
    Patterns/Home Extras
    Patterns/Mens Patterns
    Patternsmens-patterns-scarf-notes
    Patternsmens-patterns-scarf-notes
    Patterns/Placemats & Table Settings
    Patterns/Rugs
    Patterns/Women's Scarves & Wraps
    Series/Autumn Accessories
    Series/Knitting Ahead
    Series/Winter Knits

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    February 2012
    October 2009
    August 2009
    October 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008


    Newsletter

    Please click here to be added to our Newsletter list for all future posts!

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    February 2012
    October 2009
    August 2009
    October 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008

Wyndlestraw Designs, www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com

Wyndlestraw Designs

Knitting patterns – inspired by nature – crafted with nature in mind

Home
​Contact
About
Knitting Patterns
Reversible Knitting Stitches Book

Blogposts
Where I like to knit
Pattern Information
​Updates and Errata
  • Home
  • Reversible Knitting Stitches Book
    • What's in the book – Chapter Information
    • Using Reversible Knitting Stitches
    • Project ideas
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Blogposts
  • About
  • Contact