Garter Stitch Knitting Patterns

Garter Stitch Scarf

The basic Garter Stitch Scarf is the quintessential first knitting project and with good reason. A scarf is made with rows that have few stitches, so you make progress pretty fast. It doesn't have to fit, and you don't really even have to keep exactly the same number of stitches on each row if you can't manage. It also gives you plenty of practice with the knit stitch. This scarf is worked in bulky yarn so it knits up quick—a great confidence boost for a new knitter.

Pocket Scarf

The Pocket Scarf isn't really any more involved of a project than the basic Garter Stitch Scarf, but it seems like a step up just because of the addition of pockets to the ends of the scarf (you make them by just folding up the ends to the depth of pocket you would like and sewing the side seams). Working garter stitch in a bumpy yarn like this one brings even more texture to the party.

Fuzzy Garter Stitch Scarf

Yet another look for basically the same garter stitch scarf is this fuzzy design, accomplished by combining a smooth cashmere blend yarn with novelty yarn. Knitting with two yarns at the same time automatically makes your yarn bulkier, cutting your knitting time, and the combination of textures makes both the knitting and the finished project more interesting.

You could go on forever knitting nothing but garter stitch scarves, just changing up the colors, textures, and yarns each time. (But there are many, many other fun things to knit, so I don't recommend that!)

Skinny Garter Stitch Scarf

A skinny scarf is an even smaller project that's great to use when teaching someone to knit. I thought of this one in particular for teaching a teen or younger person to knit because the skinny style is stylish and can also be used as a belt. Each row on this project is just 10 stitches, so even the slowest knitter will be able to see her progress as she knits.​

Garter Stitch Tie

If you're ready to add a little basic shaping to your garter stitch projects, check out this Garter Stitch Tie. This tie is cast on with just three stitches, then an ​easy increase (knit in the front and back) is used to get the tie to the width it needs. Use any decrease you like to shape the back part of the tie.

Garter Stitch Striped Baby Blanket

Another easy way to make garter stitch more interesting is to throw in stripes, as in this super warm baby blanket. Just remember that, if you want the stripes to be solid with clean breaks between them, you need to always change colors on the same side of the work (the "wrong" side will then show choppy color changes).

Garter Stitch Bib

Another great baby project that uses garter stitch is the Garter Stitch Bib. Bibs are great because they're basically knit washcloths with some kind of ties or closure to keep it on the child. In this case, I-cords are used, which still only require the knit stitch to make.

Garter Stitch Eyelet Washcloth

If you want to fancy up garter stitch just slightly, throw in a regular (or irregular, if that's your style) row of eyelets. Here, again, you just need basic increasing (yarn overs) and decreasing (knit 2 together) skills to bring a whole new dimension to basic Garter Stitch.

Garter Stitch Stripes Coaster

Add a little fun to your exploration of garter stitch (and a little color to your table) with these simple three-color coasters. They're great for patriotic or summer celebrations and beyond, or knit in any colors you like.

Garter Stitch Armwarmers

These pretty arm warmers/fingerless gloves are simple rectangles of knitting that are seamed up the side after knitting. Check below for a matching headband/​ear warmer pattern, too.

Garter Stitch Headband

This easy headband incorporates a little bit of shaping and a buttonhole to give you a cute look that will keep you warm in no time flat.

Garter Stitch Cowl

Garter stitch in the round is a little different from flat knitting because you have to knit a round and then purl a round to get it to come out right. This simple cowl with a little sparkle is great for everyday or special events where you need a little extra warmth.

Bias Knit Garter Stitch Doll Blanket

The bias method of knitting is an easy way to give garter stitch squares a different look. All it involves is increasing on each side of a project up to the width you want, then back down on the other side until you get to the number of stitches you started with. I illustrated this technique with the Bias Garter Stitch Doll Blanket.

Two-Color Garter Stitch Washcloth

A slightly more advanced thing you can do with garter stitch is to make color blocks in your knit fabric, as is done in this Two-Color Garter Stitch Washcloth. The technique used here, intarsia, is not a beginner skill; this project just goes to show you that you don't necessarily have to leave Garter Stitch behind when you become a more skilled knitter.