How to knit the spine stitch

Ready for a new stitch? The spine stitch is a mixture between eyelet stitch, braids and rib stitch. Even though it looks like a rather complicated stitch it is actually made up of just two rows. The stitches cross each other bit by bit which makes it look like little columns.

If you want to see how to knit this stitch, we will show you how in the following video:

You need a number of stitches that is a multiple of 4. It is not reversible.

Row 1: *knit the second stitch on the left hand needle through the back loop without taking it off the needle and then knit the first stitch on the left hand needle through the back loop as well. Slide both stitches off the left hand needle. Knit the fourth stitch on the left hand needle through the front loop without taking it off the needle and then knit the third stitch on the left hand needle through the front loop as well. Slide both stitches off the left hand needle*. Repeat these instructions until you have completed the row.

Row 2: purl all stitches.

Repeat these two rows until you have reached the desired length.

As you can see, basically all you do is knit the stitches in groups of two, changing the order in which they are knitted. Doing that we create little braids along the whole project.

Do you like the spine stitch? Its laces make it the perfect stitch to knit spring or summer clothes.

In our example we have used the Cotton in orange, but you can of course use any color you like and 5MM wooden needles.

No matter whether you are already an expert in this technique or whether you have just started to use it, we are always interested in seeing your own creations. You can share them with us on Instagram with the hashtag #weareknitters!