plainknitting

Plain knitting, also known as stockinette stitch or stocking stitch, is the most fundamental and common stitch in knitting. It is created by alternating rows of knit stitches and purl stitches. When viewed from the front, a fabric knitted in plain knitting will appear smooth and V-shaped, while the back will have a bumpy, ridged texture.

To create a knit stitch, the right needle is inserted into the front loop of a stitch on the left needle from left to right. Yarn is then wrapped around the right needle, and the loop is pulled through the stitch, creating a new stitch on the right needle. A purl stitch is created by inserting the right needle into the front loop of a stitch on the left needle from right to left. Yarn is wrapped around the right needle, and the loop is pulled through the stitch.

Plain knitting lies flat when worked on straight needles, making it suitable for garments like sweaters, scarves, and hats. However, when worked in the round, it creates a tubular fabric that curls inwards at the edges. This tendency to curl can be managed by incorporating a border of ribbing or garter stitch, or by using a different stitch pattern altogether. Its simplicity and versatility make plain knitting a foundational technique for knitters of all skill levels.