gartersteek

Garter stitch is a fundamental knitting stitch characterized by its reversible, bumpy texture. It is created by knitting every row, or purling every row, regardless of whether you are working on the right side or the wrong side of the fabric. This consistent stitch pattern results in a flat, slightly elastic fabric that lies evenly and does not curl at the edges, making it ideal for projects where edge finishing is undesirable or difficult.

The name "garter stitch" is derived from its historical use in knitting garters, which were worn to hold up stockings. The stitch's durability and lack of rolling were particularly suited to this purpose. In modern knitting, garter stitch is widely used for a variety of projects, including baby blankets, scarves, hats, dishcloths, and the main body of sweaters. It is also frequently employed in the construction of garments worked in pieces, as it creates a stable fabric that is easy to sew together.

The visual appearance of garter stitch is a series of horizontal ridges. Each ridge is formed by one row of knitting. When knit from both sides, the resulting fabric is identical on both the front and the back, making it a "wrong side" and "right side" indistinguishable fabric. This property simplifies the knitting process for beginners and offers design flexibility. Garter stitch is considered a beginner-friendly stitch due to its straightforward execution.