What is the Difference Between Knit and Garter Stitch

Knit stitch and garter stitch are both important parts of knitting, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference between knit and garter stitch helps beginners create different textures and patterns in their projects.

What is the difference between knit and garter stitch? Knit stitch is a single basic stitch used in knitting, while garter stitch is a fabric pattern created by knitting every stitch on every row.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Knit Stitch
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Garter Stitch
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Knit and Garter Stitch
     – Comparison of Key Differences
4. FAQ: Knit and Garter Stitch
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Knit Stitch, Garter Stitch, Knitting

What is a Knit Stitch

The knit stitch is one of the first and most important stitches you learn when you start knitting. It’s the basic building block for many patterns. Once you know how to knit, you can mix it with other stitches, like the purl stitch, to create different patterns, such as ribbing, stockinette, and moss stitch.

To make a knit stitch, you insert the right-hand needle into the front of the first stitch on the left needle, moving from left to right. Then you wrap the yarn around the right needle counterclockwise and pull it through the stitch. Finally, you slide the old stitch off the left needle, leaving the new stitch on the right needle.

When you look at your knitting, a knit stitch looks like a little “V” shape, with the right side of the V facing you. In knitting patterns, the knit stitch is usually shortened to just a “k.” For example, if a pattern says “k1,” it means you knit one stitch, and “k all” means you knit every stitch across the row.

What is a Garter Stitch

Garter stitch is a classic knitting pattern that creates a fabric with a bumpy, ridged texture. Both sides of the fabric look the same. This makes it completely reversible. Garter stitch is made by knitting every stitch on every row, whether you’re on the front (right side) or the back (wrong side) of your project.

To knit each stitch, you insert the right needle from left to right into the first stitch on the left needle. Then you wrap the yarn clockwise around the tip of the right needle, pull the yarn through the stitch to create a loop, and slip the old stitch off the left needle. You repeat this for every stitch across the row—and keep doing the same thing on every row.

Difference Between Knit and Garter Stitch

Definition

• Knit stitch is one basic movement in knitting used to create many different patterns, while garter stitch is a pattern created by knitting every stitch in every row.

Appearance

• Knit stitch looks like a small “V” shape on the needle, whereas garter stitch creates a bumpy, ridged texture that looks the same on both sides.

Fabric Behavior

• On its own, the knit stitch can curl the fabric if not mixed with other stitches. The garter stitch produces a flat, reversible fabric that doesn’t curl at the edges.

FAQ: Knit and Garter Stitch

1. Is garter stitch the same as knit?

No, garter stitch is not the same as knit. The knit stitch is a single stitch, while garter stitch is a pattern made by knitting every stitch on every row.

2. What is the opposite of garter stitch?

The opposite of a garter stitch is usually considered a stockinette stitch. In stockinette stitch, you knit one row and purl the next, which creates a smooth side and a bumpy side, unlike garter stitch, which is bumpy on both sides and looks the same.

3. Is stitch the same as knit?

No, a stitch and knit are not the same. A stitch is one loop of yarn on your needle — it’s the small unit that makes up the fabric. Knit is the action you do to create a stitch, or it can refer to a specific type of stitch called the knit stitch.

4. Why is it called knit?

It’s called knit because the word comes from an old English word that meant “to tie” or “to knot.” In knitting, you tie loops of yarn together with needles to make fabric.

Reference:

1. “Knit Stitch.” Purl Soho.

2. “Knit Basics: Garter Stitch.” Stolen Stitches By Carol Feller.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Person Holding Knitting Needles” (CC0) via Pexels.com

2. “Garter Stitch – Baby Cardi for Axel DPP_0004” By miracle design (CC BY-ND 2.0) via Flickr