How to Basketweave Stitch in Knitting

The technique of forming a basketweave texture in your knitting is easy, even though it looks complex. This stitch comes in many variations and once you learn a basic basketweave stitch, you can try others or even design your own.

This stitch is perfect for beginners because it only uses simple knit and purl stitches. By alternating between these two stitches, you form areas of stockinette stitch with reverse stockinette “woven” in and out. The result is a knitted material that resembles a woven basket. And because basketweaving produces many textures, your knitting can do the same.

Start with a simple, easy-repeat basketweave stitch as you begin to understand the process. Pay attention to how the front and back of both the knit and purl stitches interact to make the sides and textures that “weave.” Next, try a version that’s very different so you see a stronger contrast. From there, make a few more swatches with variations from patterns or your own planning.

There’s really no end to the options with basketweave stitch. It’s great for hats, scarves, blankets, and more!

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Crochet hook

Materials

• Yarn

Simple, Reversible Basketweave

This version makes a fairly small scale “weave,” but you can adjust the size by increasing the multiple for cast-on and stitch and row repeats. For example, you could start with a multiple of 8, then knit and purl 8, and work 8 rows before reversing the pattern. Play with it! Cast on a multiple of four stitches, but with it multiplying by an even number; for example, 4×8, 4×10, etc. 

1. Rows 1 to 4*Knit 4, purl 4, repeat from * across.
2. Rows 5-8*Purl 4, knit 4, repeat from * across. Repeat the eight rows to form the pattern.

A Nearly Reversible Basketweave

If you want or need to add or subtract one multiple of four stitches from the version above, the idea is still similar. Instead of working the same row four times, the pattern changes each row. Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches, but with it multiplying by an odd number; for example, 4×7, 4×9, etc.

1. Row One*Knit 4, purl 4, repeat from * across, ending with knit 4.
2. Row Two*Purl 4, knit 4, repeat from * across, ending with purl 4.
3. Row ThreeRepeat row one.
4. Rows Four to FiveRepeat row two.
5. Row 6Repeat row one.
6. Row 7Repeat row two.
7. Row 8Repeat row one. Repeat the eight rows to form the pattern.

A Basketweave Stitch Variation

This version of basketweave shows more of the reverse side of stockinette, with small strips of the knit side “woven” through. Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches.

1. Row One*Purl 6, knit 2, repeat from * across.
2. Row Two*Purl 2, knit 6, repeat from * across.
3. Row ThreeRepeat row one.
4. Row FourRepeat row two.
5. Row FivePurl 2, *knit 2, purl 6, repeat from * across, ending with purl 4.
6. Row SixKnit 4, *purl 2, knit 6, repeat from * across, ending with knit 2.
7. Row SevenRepeat row five.
8. Row EightRepeat row six. Repeat the eight rows to form the pattern.

Double Basketweave Stitch

Of these three variations, the double basketweave stitch is the most complicated. Sometimes called double basket rib stitch, this version has more rows in the pattern with more changes between knit and purl stitches to keep track of. However, it’s still just knit and purl. The result is a highly textured stitch pattern that has a bit of a wave to it. Add a wide border to even the edges if you like.

Cast on a multiple of 18 + 10 stitches.

1. Row One (right side)*Knit 11, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit1, repeat from * across, ending with knit 10.
2. Row Two (wrong side)Purl 1, knit 8, purl 1, *purl 1, (knit 2, purl 2) two times, knit 8, purl 1, repeat from * across.
3. Row Three*Knit 1, purl 8, (knit 2, purl 2) two times, knit 1, repeat from * across, ending with knit 1, purl 8, knit 1.
4. Row 4Purl 10, *purl 1, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 11, repeat from * across.
5. Rows 5 to 8Repeat rows one to four.
6. Row NineKnit.
7. Row 10(Purl 2, knit 2) two times, purl 2, *purl 10, (knit 2, purl 2) 2 times, repeat from * across.
8. Row 11*(Knit 2, purl 2) two times, knit 2, purl 8, repeat from * across, ending with (knit 2, purl 2) two times, knit 2.
9. Row 12(Purl 2, knit 2) two times, purl 2, *knit 8, (purl 2, knit 2) two times, purl 2, repeat from * across.
10. Row 13*(Knit 2, purl 2) two times, knit 10, repeat from * across, ending with (knit 2, purl 2) two times, knit 2.
11. Rows 14 to 17Repeat rows 10 to 13.
12. Row 18Purl. Repeat the 18 rows to form the pattern. 

Using Basketweave Stitch

A basic basketweave stitch, worked as written above or adjusted for scale, makes a great afghan or scarf. You can make these projects any size you want and repeat the pattern as long as you like. Want a cowl or something else that you work in the round? Basic reversible basketweave works for that too! And with a few adjustments, most variations work for this too. When you’re ready for your first (or 50th!) basketweave project, try making something like a Southampton book bag or a basketweave knit coffee cuff. 

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