Learn how to knit this pretty diagonal stitch knitting pattern both flat and in the round for your next knitting project!
There may or may not be an official name for this diagonal stitch knitting pattern, but some variation of this stitch has been among my favorites for a long time. I love how it looks seamless and repeats perfectly but it’s actually really quite easy to knit.
What is diagonal stitch?
Diagonal stitch creates diagonal lines of purl stitches that repeat seamlessly across a field of stockinette stitch. This stitch looks lovely on flat or round projects.
What’s awesome about diagonal stitch?
- The repeat is seamless. No matter how many repeats in the project, the diagonal lines will keep lining up
- Diagonal stitch is pretty good at laying flat.
- Diagonal stitch looks very pretty when knit in the round.
What does diagonal stitch look like?
Here is a photo of the right side of diagonal stitch:
Here is a photo of the wrong side of diagonal stitch:
As you can see this stitch is not reversible.
Tips & Tricks for knitting diagonal stitch:
- While this stitch does a better job laying flat that some others, if you are using it for a flat knitting project consider adding a border on either side of something like garter or seed stitch.
- It may help to place stitch markers between every 4 stitches to help you keep track of the pattern repeats as you get started.
Diagonal Stitch Knitting Pattern (knit flat)
Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches.
Row 1: (k3, p1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 2: (p3, k1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 3: k1 (p1, k3) repeat to the last 3 stitches, then p1, k2
Row 4: p1 (k1, p3) repeat to the last 3 stitches, then k1, p2
Repeat rows 1-4.
Here is a chart showing how to knit diagonal stitch flat:
Diagonal Stitch Knitting Pattern (in the round)
Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches and join to knit in the round.
Round 1: (k3, p1) repeat to the end of the round
Round 2: (p1, k3) repeat to the end of the round
Round 3: k1 (p1, k3) repeat to the last 3 stitches then p1, k2
Round 4: k2 (p1, k3) repeat to the last 2 stitches then p1, k1
Repeat rounds 1-4.
Here is a chart showing how to knit diagonal stitch in the round:
How To Knit Diagonal Stitch
Learn how to knit this pretty diagonal stitch knitting pattern both flat and in the round for your next knitting project!
Materials
Tools
Instructions
Diagonal Stitch Knitting Pattern (knit flat)
- Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches.
- Row 1: (k3, p1) repeat to the end of the row
- Row 2: (p3, k1) repeat to the end of the row
- Row 3: k1 (p1, k3) repeat to the last 3 stitches, then p1, k2
- Row 4: p1 (k1, p3) repeat to the last 3 stitches, then k1, p2
- Repeat rows 1-4.
Diagonal Stitch Knitting Pattern (in the round)
- Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches and join to knit in the round.
- Round 1: (k3, p1) repeat to the end of the round
- Round 2: (p1, k3) repeat to the end of the round
- Round 3: k1 (p1, k3) repeat to the last 3 stitches then p1, k2
- Round 4: k2 (p1, k3) repeat to the last 2 stitches then p1, k1
- Repeat rounds 1-4.
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Marilyn Trunk says
I hope you can answer this. Do those stocking caps (such as the one which is gray with the pink hearts) go to a bigger size? I want to make one for my granddaughter, however, she wears a size 7/8 already. Will this pattern go that big? Thanks! Hope you can respond to this.
Cassie May says
Hi! Send me an email at cassie@littleredwindow.com and I can tell you how to make most of them bigger. Thanks!