Learn how to knit the linen stitch knitting pattern, a wonderful dense and subtly textured stitch that lays flat on its own with this easy tutorial for beginners!

Linen stitch is one of my all-time favorite knitting stitches. I absolutely love the texture of the right side. It’s relatively subtle and low-textured but it’s SO pretty. I also love that knitting linen stitch is incredibly easy. Yet, despite that, it’s not a frequently used knitting stitch! Let’s make it more popular!

What is Linen Stitch?

Linen stitch is an beautiful textured stitch created by alternating knit stitches with slipped stitches with the working yarn held in front. The result is a dense beautiful fabric with an equally lovely, yet differet, wrong side.

What is there to love about linen stitch?

• Linen stitch is incredibly easy to knit, all you need to know, again, are knit, purl and slipped stitches.
• Because of the slipped stitches, linen stitch knits up quickly.
• Linen stitch lays flat on its own with curling along the edges or the ends.
• Although linen stitch is not reversible, the back side of linen stitch is quite attractive and looks similar to seed stitch which makes it great for projects where you might see both sides like a scarf or cowl.

What does linen stitch look like?

Here is a photo of the right side of a linen stitch swatch.

Here is a photo of the wrong side of a linen stitch swatch.

Tips & Tricks for Knitting Linen Stitch

• The slipped stitches in linen stitch should always be slipped purlwise.
• When you are slipping stitches with the yarn in front of behind your work, make sure that the working yarn you are carrying across is not too tight!
• If possible, knitting linen stitch in the round is the easiest possible way to do it.
• If you use two different colors of yarn and alternate each row, your linen stitch will have a checkerboard color pattern!

Linen Stitch Knitting Pattern (knit flat)

Notes:

sl1 = slip one stitch purlwise

wyif = with working yarn in front

wyib = with working yarn in back

Cast on an odd number of stitches.

Row 1 (RS): (k1, sl1 wyif) repeat until the last stitch, then k1

Row 2: (WS): (sl1wyib, p1) repeat until the last stitch then sl1 wyib

Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Here is a chart for knitting linen stitch flat:

Linen Stitch Knitting Pattern (in the round)

Notes:

sl1 = slip one stitch purlwise

wyif = with working yarn in front

Cast on an odd number of stitches and join to knit in the round.

Round 1: (k1, sl1 wyif) repeat to the last stitch of the round, k1.

Round 2:(sl1 wyif, k1) repeat to the last stitch of the round, sl1 wyif.

Repeat rounds 1 & 2.

Here is a chart for knitting linen stitch in the round:

Linen Stitch Video Tutorial

Yield: 1 swatch

How To Knit Linen Stitch

Print

Learn how to knit the linen stitch knitting pattern, a wonderful dense and subtly textured stitch that lays flat on its own with this easy tutorial for beginners!

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn

Tools

• US 7 (4.5mm) straight knitting needles (for knitting flat)
• US 7 (4.5 mm) circular knitting needles

Instructions

Linen Stitch Knitting Pattern (knit flat)

1. Cast on an odd number of stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): (k1, sl1 wyif) repeat until the last stitch, then k1
3. Row 2: (WS): (sl1wyib, p1) repeat until the last stitch then sl1 wyib
4. Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Linen Stitch Knitting Pattern (in the round)

1. Cast on an odd number of stitches and join to knit in the round.
2. Round 1: (k1, sl1 wyif) repeat to the last stitch of the round, k1.
3. Round 2:(sl1 wyif, k1) repeat to the last stitch of the round, sl1 wyif.
4. Repeat rounds 1 & 2.

Notes

• sl1 = slip one stitch purlwise
• wyif = with working yarn in front
• wyib = with working yarn in back

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Lion Brand Yarn (1 Skein 860-108A Vanna's Choice, Dusty Blue Yarn
• 
  ChiaoGoo Single Point 9 inch (23cm) Bamboo Dark Patina Knitting Needle Size US 7 (4.5mm) 1031-7
• 
  Clover 3016/16-07 Takumi Bamboo Circular 16-Inch Knitting Needles, Size 7

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Cassie May

Craft and Knitwear Designer at Little Red Window Design

Welcome to Little Red Window! I’m Cassie, a professional craft and knitwear designer working in the field for more than 10 years. I have a degree in Art History from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I've designed more than 300 separate knitting patterns, hundreds of craft projects, and I love to bring joy to your crafts and knitting with well-designed, easy to understand tutorials and patterns.

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