Linen Stitch
About this stitch
Row 1 (RS): *k1, slip 1 purlwise wyif; rep from *. Row 2 (WS): *p1, slip 1 purlwise wyib; rep from *. A dense, woven-looking fabric — needles one to two sizes larger than your usual gauge.
A reliable ground stitch for sweaters, blankets, scarves, and the body of any project where the focus is on yarn or shape rather than stitch pattern.
Stitch chart
Read RS rows right-to-left, WS rows left-to-right. The bottom-right cell is row 1, stitch 1.
knit on RS, purl on WS
V
slip 1 purlwise wyib
•
purl on RS, knit on WS
v
slip 1 purlwise wyif
Row-by-row written instructions
- Cast on a multiple of 2 stitches (any number works for stockinette and garter).
- Row 1 (RS): See description.
- Row 2 (WS): See description.
- Repeat Rows 1–2 for pattern.
Abbreviations used
- k knit
- p purl
- sl slip purlwise
- wyif with yarn in front
- wyib with yarn in back
Knitter's tips
- Block your swatch before measuring final gauge — wet-blocking changes most fabrics by 5–10%.
- Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front for a tidy chain edge.
Recommended materials
This stitch is most flattering in Worsted-weight yarn on 7 (4.5 mm) needles, at a working gauge near 26 stitches and 44 rows over four inches in stockinette. Open the yarn weight reference or the needle conversion chart for substitutions.