Knitting is based on the basic knit and purl stitches, but did you know the unlimited combinations these can offer? With winter just a few months away, gathering your knitting needles and yarn to stitch up warmth is the perfect season. Knitting is a beautiful craft for creating warm and cozy winter garments. Here are ten easy knit stitch patterns that you can use to make winter accessories like scarves, hats, and mittens.
How do you plan knitting projects for warmth in winter?
When working on your winter projects, choose a suitable yarn that provides warmth and comfort, such as wool or a wool blend. Working with heavier-weight yarns, such as bulky varieties, will also assist in planning a warm knitted fabric. So, gather your favorite knitting needles in the correct size, matching the yarn weight. The versatile circular knitting needles can be used for projects knitting back and forth as well as in the round. Single-pointed needles are great for practice on projects such as a scarf. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) serve great for small circumference projects such as baby socks, hats, and even garments. Also, remember to select the appropriate needle size for your chosen yarn to achieve the desired gauge. Practice these stitch patterns, and soon you'll have a collection of cozy winter knitwear to keep you warm during the cold months!
- Thermal Stitch
A four-row repeat, the Thermal stitch is a relatively simple pattern. Still, it provides a beautiful texture suitable for various knitting projects, especially those intended to keep you warm in cold weather. You can use it for scarves, blankets, hats, or any other item with desired warmth and texture.
You can knit the stitch pattern with even and odd cast-on stitches. You simply work with knit and purl stitches and the slip stitch technique. There’s one in crochet, too, which appeals due to its warm texture and the ease of making it for flat and round projects.
- Double Knit Stitch
More than a stitch pattern, double knitting is a technique that creates two sides of Stockinette stitches. Both sides can be knit with a unique colour, making it one of the exciting colourwork knitting techniques. With your regular circular knitting needles, you can work this technique for any project. Just make sure to cast on, knit, or purl every stitch and even bind off with the yarns (same or different colours) you are knitting with.
You can get some practice with a scarf or cowl before getting started with a garment. With proper finishing, the project will turn out to be entirely reversible, offering two unique shades.
- Brioche Stitch Patterns
Brioche is a wide range of textured stitch patterns. Browse our previous blog to learn more about knitting the brioche stitch in easy steps. The reversible stitch pattern is warm and can be knitted with two colours. Its techniques and even abbreviations make it a stitch pattern with many possibilities. You can create a reversible fabric that looks beautiful both ways. Creating a warmer fabric with brioche stitch patterns is possible by working with a chunky weight yarn.
You can knit any winter garment or accessory. You can start with something easy as a scarf, and then work it out on a sweater or cardigan.
- Fishermen’s Rib
Ribbing combines knit and purl stitches, creating a stretchy and textured fabric. Common ribbing patterns include 1×1 (k1, p1), 2×2 (k2, p2), and 3×1 (k3, p1). Ribbing is frequently used for cuffs, collars, and hat bands. Fishermen’s Rib is one of the historic stitch patterns known for its warm fabric that fishermen use to stay cozy in the spray of cold seawater. It is also much tighter than a normal rib stitch pattern. You should work with a knitting needle size two or three sizes smaller than the needles you would be working on a Stockinette stitch.
Traditionally, the stitch pattern graced sweaters, but now it can be easily added to hats, socks, and even scarves.
- Cables
Cables are the most straightforward textured stitch pattern with knit and purl stitches. A cable needle is used to knit, or purl stitches out of turn. The twists in the stitches give it a cabled effect. There are multiple possibilities with cable stitches. The proper placement of cables can create a warm fabric for winter. You can work the stitch pattern on any knitting project, from socks to blankets. Our previous blog on how to work cable knitting patterns will guide you through the steps.
For your cables to pop out, you can work them on a plain background of a garter or Stockinette pattern.
- Basketweave Stitch Pattern
With the appearance of woven rather than knitted, the stitch pattern is a perfect stitch to provide warmth. There are multiple ways to knit basketweave stitches. You just need your basics right and can apply them for projects. The combinations of knit and purl stitches can be changed according to your requirements. You can have a woven basket effect or have a wavy effect. There are multiple basketweave stitches in crochet, too, that also work for making a warm blanket for the season.
- Bubble Stitch
The knit stitch pattern looks like bubbles. It is made with a combination of purl and knit stitches. Start with cast-on with any technique you prefer. The pattern would be multiples of 4 plus 3. You can work the pattern flat or in the round.
If you work the stitches back and forth with either a pair of single pointed needles or circulars, start with a row of purl stitches on the wrong side of the pattern. The first row of purl stitches will always be worked on the WS of the pattern. After 5 rows of purl and knit stitches, you will work on knit 4 below, followed by regular knit stitches. The instruction of knit 4 below means simply slipping off 4 stitches from the left needle and making ladders. You secure the ladders by picking up a stitch from below the ladders.
For patterns knit in the round, you knit every round on the right side for 5 rounds. On the 6th round, the pattern follows knit 4 below and 3 knit stitches. The cast on (4+3) will remind you of this.
With this blog on stitch patterns, get ready for some warmth in winter. You can have fun with some gift-making or try out them yourself. KnitPro’s wide range of knitting needles and related accessories are here to assist you. Explore single points, double points, fixed circular and interchangeable circular needles, and sets in standard sizes.
