technique
Garter Stitch
Garter Stitch is a ridged fabric made by knitting every row when working flat.
What it is
Garter Stitch is soft, stable and less likely to curl than stockinette. In the round, it is made by alternating knit and purl rounds.
How Ruke patterns use it
Ruke Knowledge uses Garter Stitch as a calm base fabric reference. It helps beginners understand how rows, ridges and fabric behavior change with stitch structure.
Pattern notation examples
- It is useful for scarves, edges, beginner swatches and simple texture.
- It helps compare flat knitting with knitting in the round.
When to use it
Use it for stable fabric, simple texture or beginner practice before reading more complex pattern sections.
What to check
Check edge neatness, row count and whether the fabric changes width after washing or blocking.
Common mistakes
Forgetting that Garter Stitch in the round needs purl rounds, or measuring rows without accounting for ridges.