Knitting is a craft that provides the opportunity to create amazing knitted items for the home, clothing, gifts for family and friends, and more.
Even as a beginner, an individual would have the chance to come up with some amazing designs, which in most cases would involve following a set pattern.
However, along with a person’s skill level increasing are new opportunities for making a wider selection of items and creating amazing designs with unique knitting stitch patterns.
Although it takes time to hone a knitting skill, with practice and determination, there is no reason an individual would not succeed. One of the many great things about knitting is that the craft can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In fact, there are many younger children and older people that have learned to knit and in some cases, use knitting as a means of therapy. We want to focus on how knitting stitches can enhance a design but also provide information as to what some of the more unique stitches are.
Enhanced Design
When using the basic knit/purl stitch as a beginner, usually single-colored yarn would be used to create an item that has two different types of rows. One row is knit and the other purl. By alternating these stitches, the item has texture and begins to take on a character of its own. For things such as scarves, shawls, and other easier items, the stitches work just fine.
However, with a developed skill, a person would possess ability to use seven, eight, or nine different colors of yarn along with multiple stitches. As imagined, this completely changes the types of items that could be made but also appearance. In fact, a person could still make a beautiful scarf but by using more advanced knitting stitches, it would have a completely different look and feel.
Stitches to Consider
There are many wonderful stitches available for an expert knitter. Because of this, listing each one in this article would be difficult. Instead, we chose a few of the more unique knitting stitch patterns as example of just how far knitting can be taken.
Shadow Rib – For this, multiples of 3 plus 2 stitches is the basis. One row would be knit with the second row comprised of purl 2, knit one through the back loop, purl 2. This would then be repeated from the knit one across. To complete the pattern, both rows would be repeated. Although not an overly difficult knitting stitch to learn, what makes it unique is that the look on the front is different from the back.
Trinity Stitch – This is another great option that is also called the Bramble or Cluster stitch. In fact, some people refer to the stitch as bobbles but for the purpose of finding information, we suggest using the formal name of Trinity. Working on multiples of 4 stitches the following four rows of stitches would create a gorgeous pattern that can be used for multiple projects.
- First Row – Purl
- Second Row – Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1 using the same stitch but then purl 3 together. This would be repeated from knit 1 across.
- Third Row – Purl
- Fourth Row – Purl 3 together consisting of knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, again in the same stitch that would be repeated across from purl 3
Twisted Tree – We also want to mention this as one of the more unique knitting stitch patterns typically used by more advanced knitters. In this case, panels consist of nine stitches, creating gorgeous finished products. The rows for the Twisted Tree pattern is as follows:
- Row One – On the right side, purl 3, knit 3 through the back loop, purl 3
- Row Two – Knit 3, purl 3 through the back look, purl 3
- Row Three – Purl 2 with the next stitch slipped on a cable needle and held in the back, knit 1 through the back loop, purl from the cable needle, knit 1 through the back loop with the next stitch on the cable needle but this time held in front, purl 1, and then stitched using the cable needle going through the back loop, purl 2
- Row Four – Knit 2, purl 1 through the back loop, knit 1 twice, purl 1 through the back loop, knit 2
- Row Five – Purl 1, back cross, purl 1, knit 1 through the back loop, purl 1, front cross, purl 1
- Row Six – Knit 1, purl 1 through the back loop, knit 2 twice, purl 1 through the back loop, knit 1
- Row Seven – Back cross, purl 1, knit 3 through the back loop, purl 1, front cross
- Row Eight – Purl 1 through the back loop, knit 2, purl 3 through the back loop, knit 2, purl 1 through the back loop
Cable Panel Stitch – The last of the unique knitting stitch patterns we wanted to provide information on is worked as nine stitches wide but on a Reverse Stockinette Stitch field. For this, an individual would follow the instructions below, repeating to create the overall pattern.
- Row One – Slip two stitches onto a cable needle held in front, purl 1, and knit 2 off the needle. Slip 1 stitch onto the cable needle but this time, held in back, knit 2 and purl 1 off the needle. Then, the front cross would be repeated.
- Row Two – Purl 2, knit 2, purl 4, knit 1
- Row Three – Purl 1, slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle with it held in back, knit 2, knit 2 from the needle, and then purl 2, knit 2
- Row Four – Purl 2, knit 2, purl 4, knit 1
- Row Five – Cross back just as was down in row 1, followed by crossing front, followed by repeating the cross back
- Row Six – Knit 1, purl 4, knit 2, purl 2
- Row Seven – Knit 2, purl 2 and then slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle with it held in front. Knit 2, knit two from the needle, and then purl 1.
- Row Eight – Knit 1, purl 4, knit 2, purl 2
- One note pertaining to the Cable Panel Stitch is that for projects in which more width is needed, Reverse Stockinette stitches could be added to both sides.
Final Note … Another way to make your knitting projects truly original or unique is to add some pretty embellishments that match the stitching and yarn. An example would be these self-adhesive rhinestones that come on a handy roll. You’ll find them over here.