Multiple Ways to Use Garter Stitch
Ruffled Scarf Made in Garter Stitch
I Was Surprised at What Could Be Done with this Simple Knitting Stitch
The garter stitch is often thought of as plain, and not very pretty. For years I completely ignored it, refused to use it. Recently though, probably because it is so easy I can almost knit it without looking at my work, I began to look for more interesting ways to use this stitch, and came up with multiple ways to use garter stitch. I found more uses for it than I expected. In this photo you see my favorite of all the things I have made using this one stitch. Below I have shared with you some of the items I have knitted using only, or primarily, this stitch. This photo is a ruffled scarf I made for one of our granddaughters who is a college student. This dark blue is one of her school's (Auburn University) colors. She has graduated, and now her younger sister is now a student at Auburn.
Zoomed in on Garter Stitch
What Is Garter Stitch?
This very simple stitch is the pattern that emerges when every row is knitted -- no purls, no yarn overs, only knit stitches. It produces a fabric that looks the same on both sides. Sometimes it's a plus to have a reversible garment. This photo shows a worked garter stitch. The scarf in this photo was knitted on size 10 needles. The ruffle was formed by gradually decreasing the number of stitches used. I cast on about 300 stitches, then decreased on every other row. To make the ruffle at the other end, just reverse the process by gradually increasing the number of stitches.
The winter-white afghan shown below shows the stitches really well. For a closer look at this stitch worked, as well as the directions for the border used on that afghan, please see my lens entitled, "Free Simple Afghan Pattern for Beginning Knitters".
Ivory Garter Stitch Afghan
These are the circular needles I used to knit both afghan shown in this article
Zoomed in on Shaggy Garter Stitch Scarf
Zoomed In On a "Shaggy" Scarf
Here you can see how "shaggy" type yarn works up in garter stitch. It makes a thick and opaque fabric that is especially nice on very cold days. With this type yarn, the stitches cannot be seen at all. This is one of my favorite scarves, but it is really too long for me -- I'm pretty short. So I have passed it on to my daughter who is 4 or 5 inches taller than me.
Pay attention to the growing length when knitting scarves. With this one, I was watching a movie, and kept on knitting until I ran out of yarn. Opps! My finished product was a really, really long scarf. A downside to this type yarn is that it is difficult to take out stitches, so this one remains too long for shorties like me.
Shaggy Garter Stitch Scarf
These are the needles I used to knit this scarf.
Garter Stitch Border
Variegated Garter Stitch Afghan with Fringe
Ruffled Garter Stitch Scarf
A Poll About Knitting Stitches
What is your favorite knitting stitch pattern?
Are you a knitter, or do you do other types of needlework? Please share your thoughts / experiences on various stitches with all of us knitters, cross-stitchers, and needlepointers. And, thank you for visiting.
© 2013 MariaMontgomery