Textured Stitch

Linen Stitch

Intermediate Textured
Linen Stitch finished swatch

Used For

  • Bags
  • Coasters
  • Placemats
  • Sturdy, woven-look fabric

A dense slip-stitch fabric with a woven, fabric-like appearance, good for bags and coasters.

Instructions

  1. Cast on an odd number of stitches.
  2. Row 1 (RS): Knit 1, *slip 1 stitch purlwise with the yarn held in front, knit 1; repeat from * to the end.
  3. Row 2 (WS): Purl 1, *slip 1 stitch purlwise with the yarn held in back, purl 1; repeat from * to the end.
  4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for the desired length.

Tips & Notes

  • Holding the yarn on the opposite side of the work each row — front on right-side rows, back on wrong-side rows — is what leaves a little floating strand across every slipped stitch, building the woven look.
  • Linen stitch fabric is noticeably firmer and less stretchy than stockinette, which is exactly why it holds its shape well in bags and placemats.
  • Because slipped stitches sit slightly proud, linen stitch is also a popular background for cross-stitch style duplicate embroidery.

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