How to Knit A Gorgeous Basket Weave Stitch + Video
The Basket Weave stitch is one of those textures that stops you in your tracks. 😊
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That gorgeous interlocking pattern — blocks of knit and purl creating the illusion of a woven fabric — has been beloved by knitters for generations.
And for good reason. It’s rich, tactile, deeply satisfying to knit, and absolutely beautiful to look at.
Ready to start knitting?
In the video tutorial below, I’ll show you how to work this super easy 6-row Basket Weave stitch step by step:
I first fell in love with it watching The Mexican — a film with Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt — where Julia wears the most stunning cardigan with this exact texture. I remember thinking: I need to knit that 😄
And now, here we are.
But here’s what makes this version special: most basket weave patterns are not reversible. This one is. And unlike many textured knit-and-purl patterns, it lays completely flat; no border needed, no fighting with curling edges.
The good news is that you don’t need to memorize 6 rows! It’s much simpler than that (you’ll see), and the result looks like something that took years to master.
Grab your needles. Let’s go.
Where to Use this Basket Weave Stitch
You could use it for:
- Blankets
- Hats
- Scarves and wraps
- Sweaters & Cardigans
- Cushions
- Place mats
- Dishcloths
- Basically, any kind of project, to tell you the truth!
It’ll work for both, small and large projects.
So Many Basket Weave Stitch Patterns!
There isn’t just one basket weave stitch pattern. In fact, there are many different versions, and I’ve shared quite a few of them here on So Woolly over the years.
You’ll also find similar designs called Wicker Stitch or simply Basket Stitch. And that’s where things get interesting: the name doesn’t always tell you exactly how the stitch is made.
Some basket weave patterns use crossed stitches, bringing cable-knitting techniques into the design. Others, like this one, create the woven effect using nothing more than knit and purl stitches. And some use slipped stitches to create their texture.
So don’t get too hung up on the name 😉
What matters is finding the stitch that inspires you for the project you’re working on right now.
Maybe you want something chunky and three-dimensional. Maybe you want a simpler knit-and-purl texture. Maybe you love the look of slipped stitches.
There are so many possibilities — there’s a basket weave stitch for every knitter.
Explore more basket weave designs
Here are some of the other basket weave-inspired patterns I’ve shared:
Choose the one that makes you want to grab your needles and start knitting.
My Best Tip For Knitting Basket Weave Stitch Patterns
Pay Attention to Your Tension
Basket weave patterns are made with combinations of knit and purl stitches, and tension is key if you want those little woven blocks to look crisp and well defined.
Here’s my little trick:
After every purl stitch, give your yarn a little tug.
That’s it.
When you work a purl stitch, the yarn moves from the front to the back of your work before you knit again. It’s very easy to leave a little extra yarn there, creating a loose loop between the stitches.
That tiny loop might not seem like a big deal while you’re knitting, but once several rows of basket weave start piling up, those loose loops can make the pattern look untidy.
So I simply give the yarn a gentle tug immediately after every purl stitch, before continuing with the next stitch.
It takes almost no effort, it’s incredibly easy to remember, and it makes a HUGE difference to the finished texture.
Just remember:
Purl → little tug → keep knitting 😉
And don’t pull so hard that you make the stitches tight. You’re simply taking up that little bit of excess yarn so everything sits neatly and evenly.
I repeat, such a simple thing to remember. Such a big difference!
✨ Want to knit this without ads or scrolling?
👉 Click on this line if you want to download the printable pattern (PDF file)
Materials
For this swatch I used:
US 7 (4.5 mm) bamboo knitting needles (lightweight, smooth and easier to hold) #ad
And 100% Merino wool yarn (smooth, soft, structured and machine washable) #ad
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Abbreviations
CO: cast on
st (s) = stitch (es)
RS: right side of the work
K: knit
P: purl
WS: wrong side
BO: Bind off
How to Knit This Basket Weave Stitch Pattern
Stitch Multiple
CO multiples of 8 plus 2 (no edge sts included).
For example: 8 * 3 = 24 + 2 = 26 sts. If you like to have edge/selvage sts, add 2 to your calculation.
Instructions
Row 1 (RS): K2, *P6, K2*. Repeat from * to * to end.
Row 2 (work each st as it presents): *P2, K6*. Repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, P2.
Row 3: K across
Row 4: *K4, P2, K2*. Repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 5 (work each st as it presents): P2, *P2, K2, P4*. Repeat from * to * to end.
Row 6: P across
Repeat rows 1 – 6. When finished, BO working each st as it presents after row 5 (WS).
This is the other side of the work:
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A big hug, and happy knitting,
Carolina – So Woolly
PS: You can explore more designs like this in the Textured Stitch Patterns collection.
