Basic stitch patterns

Only the very basic stitch patterns are used to make the knitted pets in this book. They are mostly knitted in stockinette stitch, with a few details knitted in reverse stockinette stitch and garter stitch.

STOCKINETTE STITCH

Stockinette stitch (also referred to as stocking stitch by Europeans) is the knitted fabric that features most often in this book. It is created by knitting one row and purling the next row when knitting back and forth, or by knitting every row in the round. The knitted side forms the ‘right side’; the purl side forms the ‘wrong side’.

REVERSE STOCKINETE STITCH

Reverse stockinette stitch is made in the same way as stockinette stitch, but the purl side forms the right side. I have used reverse stockinette stitch to give Tortellini Tortoise's legs a more wrinkled-looking texture.

GARTER STITCH

Garter stitch is made by knitting every row when knitting back and forth. This creates quite a dense fabric that looks the same on both sides. The Haughty Hens' tail feathers are knitted in garter stitch to help them stand up.