Basket Weave Stitch 4 Ways [Knitting Stitch]

Basket Weave Stitch is made up of blocks of stitches that create the illusion of woven fabric. It has many variations, but all are created by alternating knit and purl stitches. This stitch is a satisfying one for beginners because it is easy to work, yet the results look complex.

I love Basket Weave Stitch because it is reversible. Lighter colors tend to showcase the stitches better and while I think it looks best with yarn of a single color, I’ve also seen it beautifully worked with gradients. I use this stitch mostly for blankets, pillows, and home goods.

Here are four variations on this fun knitting stitch.

Abbreviations Used

k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)

Classic 4×4 Basket Weave Stitch

The 4×4 variation is sort of magical. It’s the same if worked back and forth or in the round! It’s also completely reversible and looks identical on both sides.

It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of this stitch, which is knit in stitch and row multiples of four. Aside from the edges, it lies relatively flat without blocking.

Stitch multiple: 8
Row multiple: 8

Rows 1 to 4 – *k4, p4*

Rows 5 to 8 – *p4, k4*

Repeat these 8 rows until the desired length is reached.

Wide Basket Weave Stitch

This stitch features some wider “bands,” which makes this stitch look more woven than the previous. It actually looks like rows of purl bumps are going under knit stitches! It also lies relatively flat without blocking.

Stitch multiple: 10
Row multiple: 12

Row 1 – k all

Rows 2, 4, and 6 – *k6, p4*

Rows 3 and 5 – *k4, p6*

Row 7 – k all

Rows 8, 10, and 12 – *p4, k6*

Rows 9 and 11 – *p6, k4*

Narrow Basket Weave Stitch

This weave looks like it is made of long, thin strips. It will lie flat without blocking. That’s because this stitch alternates stockinette stitch sections with garter stitch sections (rather than stockinette and reverse stockinette, which is used by most basket weave stitches).

Stitch multiple: 8 + 3
Row multiple: 12

Row 1 (WS) and all odd rows – p3, *k1, p3*

Rows 2, 4, 6 – k3, *p5, k3*

Rows 8, 10, 12 – p4, *k3, p5* to last 7 sts, k3, p4

Double Basket Weave Stitch

Raised mini ribs emulate the staves of a basket in this pattern. Multiple horizontal rows and vertical strips cross in each section, making it much more interesting and complex than previous patterns.

Because much of it is knit in k2p2 ribbing, it has significant pull and should be blocked to see the full effect.

Stitch multiple: 18 + 10
Row multiple: 18

Rows 1 and 5 – *k11, p2, k2, p2, k1* to last 10 sts, k10

Rows 2 and 6 – p1, k8, p1, *p1, (k2, p2) twice, k8, p1*

Rows 3 and 7 – *k1, p8, (k2, p2) twice, k1* to last 10 sts, k1, p8, k1

Rows 4 and 8 – p10, *p1, k2, p2, k2, p11*

Row 9 – k all

Rows 10 and 14 – (p2, k2) twice, p2, *p10, (k2, p2 twice)*

Rows 11 and 15 – *(k2, p2) twice, k2, p8* to last 10 sts, (k2, p2) twice, k2

Rows 12 and 16 – (p2, k2) twice, p2, *k8, (p2, k2) twice, p2*

Rows 13 and 17 – *(k2, p2) twice, k10* to last 10 sts, (k2, p2) twice, k2

Row 18 – p all

Which of these stitches are you going to try first?