With every kind of craft, there are new terms to learn. In knitting, we talk about stitches as well as the different ways they can be combined into stitch patterns. Here is some general information about the different types of knitting stitches you may see in your baby knitting pattern.

The two main stitches used in knitting are the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Each stitch can be knit in one of two methods, the English method or the Continental method. Basically, the difference between the two involves which hand holds the working yarn. The knit stitch looks like a “V” while the purl stitch resembles a little bump. The knitting side of a project is called the right or the public side while the purl side is called the wrong or the non-public side.

Here are some of the more common stitch patterns you will encounter in your knitting patterns:

Garter stitch – This is when you knit every stitch of every row and is the easiest knit stitch you can do.

Stockinette – This is the most commonly seen pattern. It involves alternating between the knit stitch done on the right side and the purl stitch done on the wrong side of your project.

Reverse stockinette – This is the opposite of the stockinette. You purl the stitches on the right side of your work and knit the stitches on the wrong side.

Ribbing – This is alternating the knits and purls to create different versions of the same affect. For example, you may knit one stitch and then purl one stitch for a number of rows and stitches to create a pattern. Alternately, you could choose to knit two stitches and then purl two stitches for your pattern.

Seed stitch – This is a textured stitch achieved by doing the opposite of ribbing. On the first row, you knit one stitch and then purl one stitch alternating to the end of the row. On the next row you purl  one stitch and then knit one stitch to the end of the row. Throughout your project, you continue alternating rows in this manner.

Once you have the basic knitting stitches down pat, you will be able to easily follow any baby knitting pattern you come across and if you’re adventurous enough, you can create your own personal designs.