Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern Tutorial
also known as the Rasberry stitch

Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern Tutorial by Janice

Whatever you call it, the Trinity stitch is formed by working multiple stitches into one stitch and alternating between increases and decreases, making the stitch look like a bobble, but it is not.

I have not come across another knitting stitch with so many different names.  You might know it as the Raspberry, Blackberry Stitch, Cluster Stitch, or Bramble Stitch, but the most common terms are the Trinity and Raspberry Stitch. 

If you are ready to add textured stitches to your knitting repertoire, the Trinity Stitch might be the choice for you.

A knit stitch swatch of the Trinity or Rasberry stitch pattern worked in pink yarn

The fabric is textured, dense, and puffy, making it look like a bobble. This stitch might be used alone or in combination with other stitches. 

Skill Level

Skill level easy per the Craft Yarn Council

Easy

Abbreviations Used

CO:  Cast on

BO:  Bind off

K:  knit stitch

P: purl stitch

P3tog:  Purl 3 stitches together as one stitch

* *  Work the instructions between the asterisks, the number of times indicated in the pattern

Skills Needed for the Trinity Stitch

How to Make the Slip Stitch

How to make the Knit Stitch

How to make the Purl Stitch

Purl 3 stitches together as one stitch (P3tog)

Make one knit stitch, one purl, and one knit stitch all in the same stitch. 

Cast on

Bind Off

Weave in Ends

Blocking

Notes about the Trinity Stitch

  • The pattern is worked over a 4-row repeat.
  • Stitch multiples of 4.  
  • The pattern rows are on the wrong side of the project and stick out to the right, which is worked in purl.
  • All instructions are written in US terms.
  • The Trinity Stitch uses more yarn than other stitches.
  • This is a very dense stitch.

Is the Pattern Reversible

This is not a reversible pattern.

The right side is showing of the Trinity or Rasberry knit stitch patternThe right side of the Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern
The wrong side is showing on a Trinity knit stitch pattern swatchThe wrong side of the Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern

Supplies You Will Need for This Tutorial

  • Yarn ( I used a 100% Acrylic worsted weight yarn for this swatch)
  • Knitting Needles:  Size appropriate for the yarn you choose.
  • Scissors
  • Yarn Needle

Written Directions

How to make the (K1, P1, K1) in the Same Stitch

  1. To make the K1P1K1, Insert your right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit.

  2. Knit the stitch but don’t remove the stitch.

  3. Bring the yarn to the front and purl the stitch but don’t remove the stitch.

  4. Bring the yarn to the back, knit the stitch one more time, and then slip the stitch from the needle.

How to Make the Purl 3 Together (P3tog)

This is a triple decrease that is paired with the K1, P1, K1.

  1. With the yarn held in the front, insert the right hand needle into the next 3 stitches purlwise.
  2. Purl all three stitches as if it were one stitch and slip from needle.

Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern Directions

CO a multiple of 4 stitches. 

Row 1 (right side): Purl across.

Row 2: *(K1, p1, k1) all in the same stitch, purl 3 together. Repeat from * across.

Row 3: Purl across.

Row 4: *P3tog (k1, p1, k1) all in the same stitch. Repeat from * across.

Repeat these four rows until you reach your desired length.  Bind off and weave in ends.

Variation of the Trinity Stitch

If you want a simple border, add one purl stitch at the beginning and end of each row.  In this case, you would cast on multiples of 4 plus 2 and the instructions would look like this:

CO a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2

Row 1 (right side): Purl.

Row 2: P1, *(K1, p1, k1) all in the same stitch, purl 3 together. Repeat from * across to the last stitch, P1.

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: P1, *P3tog (k1, p1, k1) all in the same stitch. Repeat from * across to the last stitch, P1.

Repeat these four rows until you reach your desired length.  Bind off and weave in ends.

PRO Tips

Please do not get discouraged if this stitch seems difficult to master.

Knitters might find this stitch hard to work with because of the two main techniques used to make it: the triple decrease (Purl 3 Together) and the triple increase. 

Here are some tips that I found helped make the stitches easier for me.

  • Work on the tips of your needles when making increases and decreases.
  • If your stitches are slipping off the tips of the needles, consider a different type of needle, such as a wooden or bamboo needle. These needles hug the stitches and make accidentally losing a stitch more difficult. However, you may also find that steel needles with sharp tips will make it easier for you to work the P3tog. 
  • Tension is important.  If you are a loose knitter, it’s easier to manipulate the stitches.  If you are struggling with the stitch, consider going up one needle size.

Projects Using the Trinity/Rasberry Stitch

  • Scarves/Cowls – try alternating colors!
  • Hats
  • Throws
  • Wearable items
  • Home Accessories such as pillows, washcloths, table runners

Free Patterns

Rasberry Cowl

Trinity 'stitch cowl

Free Caron Pebble Pop Knit Pillows

Yarninspiration Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern Pillows

Reference

Walker, Barbara, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. Schoolhouse Press. 2020.

Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern:  Pin for Future Reference

Trinity Knit Stitch Pattern Pin ImageTrinity Knit Stitch Pattern