How to Knit a Woven Stitch Pattern

The woven stitch creates woven rectangular boxes by combining knit and purl stitches. You can use the woven stitch pattern to knit sweaters and blankets.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting needles
• Project pattern
• Yarn

Instructions

1. Select a project such as a scarf, blanket or make a sample of the woven stitch to check for gauge. Select a pattern and follow its instructions carefully on yarn choice, gauge and needle size. If you're a beginner, learn a basic knit and purl stitch.

2. Cast on the appropriate number of stitches based on the size of the project. Typically, the woven stitch uses multiples that are divisible by 4 plus two. For example, cast on 16 stitches for a project divisible by 4, and then add 2 more to make 18. There are various methods available to cast on stitches to create specialized borders.

3. Start by knitting all the cast-on stitches for the first row. To complete row two, purl all the stitches to the end.

4. Use a simple knit stitch and an equal number of purl stitches for the third row. Alternate knit and purl stitches based on the multiple you selected for the project. Begin row three by knitting 2, purling 2, and then continue this pattern until you reach the end of row three. Switch to the opposite combination of stitches for row four. Purl 2, knit 2 and repeat until the end of the row.

5. Create row five by repeating row one, in which you knitted all of the stitches. For row six, purl all the stitches. Take note that row seven is a repetition of row four and row eight is the same combination of stitches as row three. This completes the pattern for the woven stitch. The full pattern is a cycle of eight rows. Begin at row one again and repeat until you achieve the required length or width.

6. Cast off the stitches. Knit or purl the last row according to the pattern's instructions. Take each stitch of the final row as you complete it. Then slip the loop over to the opposite knitting needle, one-by-one. Repeat for each stitch to bind off. Weave the yarn or tail into the knitted stitches for a professional touch.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn to cast on and bind off stitches. Check for the gauge and use the appropriate size of knitting needles, according to the instructions from your pattern.

• For shaping socks, sweaters or hats, learn to increase and decrease the stitches.

Resources

• Review a glossary of stitch patterns.