How to knit Vertical Stripes: A two-row repeat pattern that doesn’t curl - So Woolly

In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit vertical stripes. A two-row repeat pattern, that combines knitting and purling, easy to knit, ideal for beginners. It shares the same DNA of the Slip Stitch Rib we learned sometime ago.

The Vertical Stripes stitch is perfect for knitting scarves, infinite cowls, blankets, etc., because although it’s not reversible, it doesn’t curl, and it’s unisex: It will work for women’s and men’s garments.

Knit it with single-color fibers, or, as I did for this tutorial, using a variegated cotton yarn. It’s one of those stitches that really pops with those kind of yarns.

So, if you are a beginner, and you just know how to knit and purl, practice this one. I’m sure you can do it 😉

Let’s get started!

Abbreviations

CO: Cast on

st: Stitch

RS: Right side of the work

K: Knit

P: Purl

Sl1pw: Slip one stitch purlwise (pass the stitch as if to purl onto the right-hand needle).

BO: Bind off

N.B.:

The even 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.

Vertical stripes knitting stitch: An easy, unisex pattern that don't curl. So Woolly.

How to knit Vertical Stripes

CO multiples of 5; i.e.: 5 * 3 = 15 stitches.

Row 0: P across

1º row (RS): K2, *Sl1pw, K4*. Repeat from * to *, to last 3 st, ending with Sl1pw, K2

2º row: K2, *P1, K4*. Repeat from * to *, to last 3 st, ending with P1, K2.

These last two rows (1 and 2) create the pattern. Repeat them until the desired length is reached. When finished, BO purl wise after a row 1 (wrong side).

This is the other side of the work: