29 Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns: How to Create Fabric The Same on Both Sides

Why Choose Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns?

Not only do reversible knit stitch patterns create fabrics with a consistent appearance, but they also add an extra layer of polish and professionalism to your knitting projects especially where you want the public and nonpublic side of the fabric to show..

Best Projects for Reversible Stitches

• Scarves, Cowls, and Shawls
• Blankets and Throws
• Washcloths, Placemats, Coasters, Potholders
• Accessories such as headbands, fingerless gloves

Exploring Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns for Beginner Knitters

If your knitting skills are at the easy or beginner stage, have no fear, these stitch patterns are an excellent choice for learning different stitches and creating some lovely textured patterns.

For the best results as you work through these reversible stitches, I recommend using either worsted-weight or chunky yarn.  (CYC #4 – 6)

Choose solid colored yarns or experiment with different colors and yarn brands. Practicing these textured patterns makes you a more confident knitter, and as a bonus, you learn more about different yarns.  

Whenever there is a slight difference, I provide photographs of both sides of the work.  The best news is that the following free-knit patterns require a simple combination of knits and purls.

Don't worry if many row repeats make you crazy. Many of the stitches below represent a two-row repeat pattern.

29 Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns -  Instructions

Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns
Table of Contents

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1. Garter Stitch

The garter stitch pattern is often overlooked as a reversible knit stitch, but it indeed looks the same on both the public and private side.

The garter stitch pattern is created by knitting every row.

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2. Close Checks

This pattern reminds me a little of the basketweave stitch becuase it consists of little boxes of stitches.  Stockinette stitches alternate between reverse stockinette stitches to create a geometric pattern.

Learn how to make the Close Check Pattern and free pattern.

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3. Mock Cable

This is a great pattern that resembles a real cable stitch without the need for cable needles.  There is one twist to make on row two that creates the look of a cable.  The best news is that it is easy, far easier than creating real cables.

It's not exactly reversible but it looks great on both sides.  One side looks like small cables and the opposite side looks like ribs.

Learn how to make the Mock or Faux Cable Stitch.

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4. Condo Stitch

This is a rather unusual stitch because it is worked as if you were making the garter stitch pattern. However, two vastly different-sized needles are used, making the stitches in one row larger than the next.

I had my doubts about this one but after working up a swatch, I realized that this would make an excellent choice for a beginner who has mastered the garter stitch pattern.  It creates a very drapy fabric, perfect for a quick scarf or shawl.

Learn how to make the Knit Condo Stitch

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5. Horizontal Welts Knit Pattern

Here's another popular rib stitch that is stretchy but stretchy in a vertical way as opposed to traditional ribs that stretch horizontally.   

It is very beginner-friendly because all you need to know is how to make purl and knit stitches.  It's also a 6-row repeat which is easy to memorize.  This pattern is also very similar to the purl ridge knit pattern.

A Horizontal Welt Knit Stitch Tutorial

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6. Fisherman's Rib Stitch Pattern

The Fisherman's Rib Knit Stitch Pattern is a classic ribbing technique that creates a thicker, double-knit texture.

Learn How to make the Fisherman's Rib Knit Stitch Pattern

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7. Seeded Rib Stitch Knitting Pattern

The Seeded Rib Stitch Pattern is an easy-level project that produces thick, textured rows. It is created by combining simple knits and purls, resulting in a visually appealing fabric. This is a reversible knit stitch pattern that is perfect for various knitting projects.

Discover more about the Seeded Rib Stitch Pattern

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8. Moss Stitch Knitting Pattern (aka Double Moss  or Irish Moss Stitch)

This is a popular vintage design known for its great texture and squishiness. This 4-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern features a combination of knits and purls, creating a reversible fabric that is both easy to make and visually appealing. 

Learn more the Irish Moss Stitch

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9. Drop Stitch Garter Knitting Pattern

The Drop Stitch Garter Knitting Pattern is a unique stitch pattern that intentionally drops stitches to achieve a beautiful and breathable fabric.

While dropping a stitch is typically considered a mistake, in this case, it is done purposefully to create an eye-catching knit stitch pattern.

The Drop Stitch Garter Pattern is perfect for summer knitting projects and is one of the easiest reversible knit stitch patterns on this page.

Read more about the Garter Drop Stitch Pattern.

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10. Box Stitch

This is a reversible knit stitch that is truly beginner friendly, just knits and purls with a four-row repeat.

To be honest, I don’t see “boxes” in this textured stitch pattern, but it is still lovely.

Learn how to make the Box Knit Stitch Pattern

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11. Straight Lace Knitting Stitch Pattern

This pattern falls into the categories of lace stitches and reversible knit stitches, but it is still a very easy stitch that beginners can master.  There is no need to memorize row repeats as there is only one row to learn.

Consider this the perfect choice if you need a quick pattern that makes a lovely lace pattern for a shawl or scarf.

CO in multiples of 3

For this sample, I cast on 24 stitches using a number 4 acrylic yarn in color seafoam (Red Heart Soft)

Row 1: *K1, YO, K2TOG*

Repeat row 1, until desired length. Bind off in pattern and weave in ends.

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12. Grid Stitch

Here is yet one more very easy reversible knit stitch pattern that requires you know knits and purls only.

Grid Stitch Knit Tutorial

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13. Seed Stitch

Seed stitch patterns are possible for both even and odd stitches.

It's one of those beginner-level stitch patterns often learned soon after one masters the knit and purl stitch.

Learn more about the Seed Stitch or Go to the free Seed Stitch Dishcloth.

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14. Hurdle Knit Stitch

The knit hurdle stitch consists of two rows of the garter stitch, and two rows of one by one ribbing, making it a 4-row repeat.
It is considered to be a reversible stitch because both the front and back sides look the same.

If you are wondering how it got it's name, the two rows of knit stitches form "hurdles" which look like obstacles or barriers that horses jump over or dogs in an agility course.

Learn more about the Knit Hurdle Stitch and Check out the Free Washcloth Pattern.

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15. Broken Rib Knit Stitch Pattern (AKA Ribbed Garter Stitch.)

This rib stitch is a variation of the 1 x 1 rib stitch, but adds a little additional texture that the simple 1 x 1 does not do.

More about the Broken Rib Knit Stitch 

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16. Flying Geese 

If you like geometric patterns, you are going to love the Flying Geese Knit Stitch Pattern.  Made entirely of repeating triangles that are pointing in both directions.

This pattern often reminds me of the wild geese in my area who are grouping up to fly south.  With ever louder honking, the geese often seem like they first fly north, then fly south.

Learn how to make the Flying Geese Knit Pattern

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17. Parallelogram Stitch Pattern

Fifty years ago I took Geometry and at the time I probably knew exactly what a parallelogram was, but not today so I had to do a little research. But you don't need any fancy equations to know how beautiful this pattern truly is.

While this pattern requires knowledge of knits and purls, I don't consider this one to be a beginner-friendly pattern.  It requires concentration and completion of a 16-row repeat which makes it more challenging.

Learn how to make the Parallelogram Stitch Pattern

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18. Pythagorean Triangle Stitch

And here's my encore for all your math lovers out there. Don't worry, I won't quiz you on the Pythagorean theorem, mainly because I'm a math idiot. But someone was very smart and created this design that creates alternating right-sided triangles.

Similar to the Parallelogram Stitch, it's not difficult as all you need to know is how to make knits and purls, but it's hard because it requires concentration, careful attention to counting and it is a 14-row repeat.

Pythagorean Triangle Stitch Step-by-Step Tutorial

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19. Iron Knit Stitch

This pattern is not completely reversible, the front and back both display a stretchy rib stitch where one side looks more like a 1 x 1 and the other side looks like a 2 x 1 rib.

Learn how to make the Iron Knit Stitch Pattern

20. Waved Welt Stitch Pattern

In crochet, we see many variations of wavy, ripple, chevron stitches, but not so in knitting.

But this pattern is one of several that is considered to be a welt stitch.  According to Wikipedia, welting is the opposite of ribbing. 

Learn how to create the Waved Welt Knit Stitch

21. Pique Rib Stitch

The Pique Rib stitch is  super easy to do, and very beginner-friendly.  Like most of the stitches on this page, it only requires you to know how to work knit and purl stitches. 

You might decide that you've already worked this stitch because it is very similar to the Broken Rib and Grid stitches, with just some small changes.

Although it's not entirely reversible, both the right and wrong sides look great, just a little different.  The wrong side looks like the Broken Rib Stitch.

I love this stitch because it lays flat, even without blocking, so it's perfect for making scarves, cowls, blankets, and dishcloths.

Learn how to make the Knit Pique Stitch Pattern

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22. Bumpy Knit Stitch

Learn how to make the Bumpy Knit Stitch

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23. Linen Stitch

The Knit Linen Stitch is not entirely reversible but both sides look very good.  The front side looks like linen fabric and the wrong side resembles seed stitch.

Learn how to make the Linen Knit Stitch Pattern.

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24. Sand Stitch

The knit sand stitch is an easy, beginner-friendly pattern created with knit and purl stitches and uses a two-row repeat.

It also results in a lovely textured fabric that looks like little grains of sand. The specks of sand are visible on the right side of the fabric, but on the wrong or non-public side, it looks like ribbing. Since the right and wrong sides are different, we call that a non-reversible material.

Learn how to make the Sand Stitch.

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25. Basketweave Knit Stitch

The basketweave knit stitch requires you to know how to make the knit and purl stitches.  It does require a little counting and the ability to keep track of rows and stitches. That's all.

It is pretty apparent why it is called the basketweave stitch, and the nice thing about this stitch is that you can create it in many variations. I'm presenting one, with two variations that you can try, but once you've mastered it, you can move on and even create your design.

Learn how to make the Basketweave Stitch.

26. Waffle Stitch

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27.  Farrow Rib Knit Pattern

The Farrow Knit Rib Stitch is an easy rib pattern with only knits and purls. Its easy two-row repeat design makes it ideal for the beginner knitter. But if you are tired of making garter stitch scarves or washcloths, this is a perfect way to advance your knitting skills and create something with an interesting texture.

It's also a reversible pattern, which makes it an ideal choice for scarves, blankets, cowls, and any project where both the right and wrong sides will show.

Learn how to make the Farrow Rib Knit Pattern

Abbreviations and Skill You Will Need for These Patterns

k = knit

p = purl

co = cast on

bo = bind off

K1B = knit one below (see how-to-directions with the Fisherman's Rib Pattern.

YO = Yarn over

YO 2x = Yarn over twice.  (See Drop Stitch for more explanations)

k2tog = knit two together

kfb = Knit front and back (knit increase)

k2togk1 = k2tog, but do not slip the stitches off the needle, then knit the first stitch again, then finally, slip both stitches off the needle.

wyif = with yarn in front.

wyib = with yarn in back.

*   *  =  Work the stitches between the two astericks the given number of times or across the row.  See the pattern for exact instructions.

Getting Started with Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns: Knitting Techniques

Reversible knit stitches cover a wide range of patterns and techniques, each with its own unique characteristics and level of difficulty.

While some patterns may require more advanced techniques, many reversible knit stitches, such as knit and purl, can be achieved using basic knitting stitches.

If you are new to knitting, consider practicing basic stitches such as the garter pattern,  before attempting more intricate patterns.

Tips for Achieving Success with Reversible Knitting Stitch Pattern Fabrics

To ensure that your reversible knit stitches create beautifully balanced fabrics, here are some helpful tips:

1. Maintain consistent tension: Consistent tension is crucial for achieving an even and balanced fabric. Pay attention to the tightness of your stitches to ensure they are uniform throughout the project. Sometimes tension problems occur between knit and purl stitches.  I'm very guilt of this one.
   
   
2. Block your finished project: Blocking gently shapes and stretches the knitted fabric to its desired dimensions. It helps even out the stitches and enhances the overall appearance of the fabric.
   
   
3. Experiment with different yarn weights and fiber types: Different yarn weights and fiber types can significantly impact the look and feel of your reversible knit fabric. Try experimenting with various yarn options to achieve different textures and effects.

Conclusion: Learn to Love the Versatility of Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns

Reversible knit stitch patterns offer endless possibilities for creating beautifully versatile fabrics. Whether you want to add texture, depth, or visual interest to your knitting projects, incorporating reversible knit stitches can elevate your creations to a new level.

Don't be afraid to explore different stitch patterns, experiment with yarn choices, and try out diferent yarn weights. Remember the old adage, practice makes perfect.

Reversible Knit Stitch Patterns:  Pin for Future Use

References and More Information on Reversible Knit Stitches

Knitting for Charity

Condo Stitch Scarf Knitting Pattern 

Bromefields.com

Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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