Definition

Noun: A basic and common knitting stitch pattern created by alternating rows of knit stitches and purl stitches. This produces a smooth, flat fabric on one side (the "right" or "knit" side) and a bumpy, textured fabric on the other side (the "wrong" or "purl" side). It is the fundamental stitch used for items like stockings, sweaters, and many other knitted garments.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun (the stitch pattern itself):
  • The simplest project for a beginner is a scarf in stockinette stitch.
  • Her sweater was made using stockinette stitch, giving it a classic, smooth look.
• Referring to the resulting fabric:
  • The stockinette stitch tends to curl at the edges unless bordered by a different stitch.

Advanced Usage

• "Work in stockinette stitch": A common instruction in knitting patterns meaning to continue knitting in this specific alternating pattern.
  • For the body of the sweater, work in stockinette stitch for 10 inches.
• "Stockinette stitch fabric": Refers to the material produced by this stitch.
  • The drape of stockinette stitch fabric is ideal for lightweight tops.

Variants and Related Words

• Stocking stitch: A British English term that is a direct synonym for "stockinette stitch."
• Reverse stockinette stitch: The same stitch pattern, but with the purl side treated as the right side of the fabric, making the bumpy texture the dominant visual feature.
• Knit stitch and Purl stitch: The two fundamental stitches combined to create the stockinette stitch pattern.

Synonyms

• Stocking stitch (primarily UK)
• Plain knitting (in some instructional contexts)

Notes on Meaning

The term specifically refers to the pattern created by the sequence of stitches (knit one row, purl the next row in flat knitting), not to the individual knit or purl stitches themselves. It is the default and most recognizable knitted fabric.

Noun

1. knitting stitch having alternate rows of knit stitches and purl stitches, producing a fabric as for stockings