How to knit the Basket stitch: Chunky and cozy

In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit the Basket stitch: Easy (to knit and to memorize) and ideal for knitting any sort of warm and cozy clothing (hats, blankets, cowls, sweaters, etc.).

This is a four-row repeat pattern, perfect for beginners (the only techniques required are knitting and purling).

This version of the Basket stitch shares the same DNA than the Waffle stitch, we learned sometime ago, and because of the slipped stitches, it tends to curl…

No need to panic though 🙂 There is always a solution: Either you knit a nice edge on each side of the work, or block the piece once it’s finished.

Without further ado, grab your needles and let’s get started!

Abbreviations

CO: Cast on

st: Stitch

RS: Right side of the work

K: Knit

P: Purl

sl1pw: Slip one stitch purl wise (pass the stitch as if to purl onto the right-hand needle)

wyif: With yarn in front (bring the yarn to the front, or yarn forward)

yb: bring the yarn to the back

BO: Bind off

N.B.:

The odd rows form the right side of the work.

We’ll start with a set up row (I like to call it “row 0”), which won’t be repeated again. 

How to knit the Basket stitch

CO an odd number of stitches.

Set up row: P across

1º row (RS): K across

2º row: P across

3º row: *K1, sl1pw*. Repeat from * to *, to last st, ending with K1.

4º row: *K1, wyif sl1pw, yb*. Repeat from * to *, to last st, ending with K1.

These last four rows create the pattern (1-4). Repeat them until the desired length is reached. When finished, BO purlwise after a row 4.

This is the other side of the work (wrong side):

Enjoy the new video tutorial, in English and Continental style:

Basket stitch knitting pattern

I hope you like it! And don’t forget to share it, if you think someone else is going to like it too 😉

Hugs and happy knitting,

Carolina – So Woolly