The Granite Stitch

Knit flat with a straight edge selvedge, knit flat with standard instructions and knit in the round.


How to knit the Granite Stitch

I prefer to knit with a slipped stitch at the beginning, and a knit stitch at the end, as I like the way the edges look. If you would like the stitch as written without this edging, scroll down to the second set of instructions.

Terms:

k =  knit             k2tog = knit two together             kfb = knit front and back

p = purl             p2tog = purl two together             sl = slip             sts = stitches    rep = repeat

Terms & Abbreviations explained at end of post.



Granite Stitch: Multiple of 2

Knit with straight edging

Pattern is four rows, repeated until desired length is reached.

Start Pattern:

Row 1:  sl1, knit to end.

Row 2: sl1, k2tog to last st, k1.

Row 3:  sl1, kfb to last st, k1.

Row 4:  sl1, purl to last st, k1.

Repeat these 4 rows until desired length is reached.

When slipping the first stitch, slip the stitch as if you are going to knit it, with the yarn in back.


Granite Stitch: Multiple of 2

Written with the standard stitch instructions

The top knitting piece is the straight edge work, and the bottom piece is knit using the standard instructions. As you can see the standard instructions results in a bit of a wobbly looking edge.

Pattern is four rows, repeated until desired length is reached.

Start Pattern:

Row 1:  knit to end.

Row 2: k2tog to end.

Row 3:  kfb to end.

Row 4:  purl to end.

 

Repeat these 4 rows until desired length is reached.


The Granite Stitch in the Round: Multiple of 2

Knit seamless using double pointed needles or a circular needle.

Pattern is four rounds, repeated until desired length is reached.

Start Pattern:

Round 1: knit to end.

Round 2: p2tog to end.

Round 3: kfb to end.

Round 4: knit to end.

Repeat these 4 rounds until desired length is reached.




Terms:

k =  knit            k2tog = knit two together           kfb = knit front and back

p = purl            p2tog = purl two together          sl = slip

sts = stitches             rep = repeat




Terms & Abbreviations:

k & p abbreviations: describe the detailed workings of the pattern. For example; k1, p4, k2 written in a pattern means you knit 1 stitch, then purl 4 stitches, then knit 2 stitches.


k2tog: is a stitch decrease, you knit two stitches at the same time, insert the right hand needle into two stitches on the left hand needle as if you are going to knit and knit them both at the same time, you will end up with one less stitch in your work.


kfb: is a stitch increase, where you insert the right hand needle into the stitch on the left hand needle and knit, but leave the stitch on the left hand needle. Then you knit into the part of the loop that is on the back of the needle. Then slip the stitch off the left hand needle onto the right hand needle, you will now have made two stitches from one stitch, and completed the kfb increase.    


Multiples: some patterns require a certain number of stitches to form a complete pattern, the number of stitches cast on the needle must be divisible by this number. In the beginning of the pattern when stated multiples of 5, this means to cast on a number that 5 can go into, such as 10, 15 or 20, you get to choose the number depending on what it is you are making. If a pattern asks for a multiple of 3 + 1 this means you cast on a number that 3 can go into, then add 1 additional stitch, for example if you want to use 9 as your multiple of 3 you would cast on 10 stitches then add 1 stitch for a total of 10 stitches cast on.


p2tog: is a stitch decrease, you purl two stitches at the same time, insert the right hand needle into two stitches on the left hand needle as if you are going to purl and purl them both at the same time, you will end up with one less stitch in your work.


Repeat: written as rep in a pattern.

sl: this abbreviation means you transfer the stitch from the left hand needle on to the right hand needle without knitting it, then you follow the directions for  the next stitch. For example; sl1, k1 written in a pattern means you slip the first stitch from the left hand needle on to the right hand needle without knitting it, then knit the next stitch.

stitch(es): abbreviated as st or sts in a pattern.



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