Garter Stitch Knitting Patterns for New Knitters

The first knitting stitch that most people learn is Garter Stitch because it’s the easiest. Just learn the knit stitch and repeat it. This sounds like it might be boring but there’s actually a lot you can make just with this one stitch pattern. Here are some fun and easy Garter Stitch knitting patterns for new knitters to try.

The Lily Sugar’n Cream knit dishcloth is a perfect beginner knitting project. It’s worked with their classic cotton yarn and big needles so it works up fast. The free pattern is available at Yarnspirations.

Nostalgic Fingerless Mitts (Ravelry link) by Stephanie Bonner are worsted weight mitts work flat and sideways, with a provisional cast on for the thumb. This isn’t a beginner technique but you could just knit a rectangle to your desired width and sew it together, leaving a hole for the thumb. This is a free pattern.

The Ellis Garter Sweater from Stitch & Story is a simple chunky sweater worked flat in pieces. It’s a great first sweater project and because of the bulky yarn it won’t take that long to knit, either.

Or if you’re in summer mode, try the Soho top Garter Stitch tank top pattern from Caidree on Etsy. The pattern is available in English and French and comes in 10 sizes up to a chest measurement of 53.5 inches.

Knit a Garter Stitch shawl for an 18-inch doll and you’ll have a cute little project where you can also learn your basic increases. This is a free pattern from ABC Knitting Patterns.

If you want a person-sized Garter Stitch shawl, check out the Simple Garter Stitch Shawl by Diane Stavola on Ravelry. This one uses worsted weight yarn, and you can use a multicolored yarn or make it a stash busting project if you have stash that needs using.

Gina Michele has cute Garter Stitch sweaters for babies. You can find her cardigan and pullover options as free patterns on her blog.

Give your Garter Stitch a little twist with this simple headband from Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days. So cute and a great gift idea that doesn’t look like a beginner made it!Looking for more knitted socks designs and patterns to keep you warm this winter? Check out these knitted sock patterns Etsy. And these Knitting Pattern books on Annies.

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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