How to Needle Knit the Linen Stitch

Inside: Written instructions and tutorial videos teaching you how to needle knit the linen stitch as a flat panel or in the round. Includes free patterns to help you practice!

I’ve got another simply beautiful stitch pattern for you.

The linen stitch has a smooth texture created by a checkerboard of knit and slipped stitches.  It resembles the seed stitch, but lies a bit flatter and is not reversible. And since you only work every other stitch it knits up quickly and is ideal for big projects.

It resembles a woven stitch on the right side with horizontal bars of yarn interspersed with the telltale V-shaped stitches. The back side of the fabric shows a field of purl bumps.

The linen stitch is used in almost every kind of knit project from hats and scarves to sweaters and socks. Since the patterning is subtle there are no limits on how you can use this stitch. I’ve included a blanket square pattern below just to give you taste of how easy it is to needle knit the linen stitch. Plus, as always, I’ve got fully-captioned tutorial videos for both right and left handed knitters so you can see exactly how to work the stitch.

I’ve also got a linen stitch hat pattern so I can show you how to work this stitch in the round. So keep scrolling to section 2 for the free pattern and tutorial videos.

1. Needle Knit the Linen Stitch: Flat Panel

The linen stitch works up quickly as a flat panel

Linen Square

By Kristen Mangus

The Linen Square has a smooth texture created by a checkerboard of knit and slipped stitches.  It resembles the seed stitch, but lies a bit flatter. Since you slip every other stitch it works up quickly and is ideal for blankets.

Pattern includes written instructions for 2 common sizes and links to fully captioned tutorial videos.

MATERIALS

(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links cost you nothing, but helps support GKK.) 

Yarn
Medium (#4) worsted weight yarn
Red Heart Super Saver in Light Blue used in sample.

Needles
US 7 (4.5 mm) needles
Knitters Pride Karbonz circular needles used in samples.

Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

ABBREVIATIONS
K = Knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sl = Slip stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
YB = Move yarn to back
YF = Move yarn to front

New to knitting? I’ve got a How to Knit Beginner Video Series to teach you ALL the basics.

GAUGE

22 sts x 43 rows in 4” in linen stitch pattern

SKILL LEVEL Easy

MEASUREMENTS 

Option 1: 7” x 9” (18 cm x 23 cm)
Option 2: 12” x 12” (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)

NOTES

I’ve included two square sizes in this pattern that are commonly used to make blankets.   

The linen stitch pattern is a multiple of 2 stitches and uses a 2 row repeat.  If you want to change the size of the square make sure to cast on an even number of stitches.

INSTRUCTIONS

Cast on 38 (66) sts loosely.

Foundation Row (WS): P all.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, YF, Sl1, YB. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K1, YF, Slip last st.

Row 2 (WS): *P1, YB, Sl1, YF. Rep from * to last 2 sts. P1, YB, Slip last st.

Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 9” (12”) [23 (30.5) cm] or to desired length. Bind off purlwise on a WS row.

Needle Knit the Linen Stitch (Flat Panel) Video Tutorial

Select videos are available to GoodKnit Kisses YouTube members only.  To get exclusive access to GKK VIP-only content, free PDF patterns, weekly Zoom meetup and more, sign in to YouTube and join as a VIP Member today! Find out more about GKK Membership HERE!

Right handed

Left handed

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2. Needle Knit the Linen Stitch in the Round

Linen Stitch Hat

By Kristen Mangus

The Linen Stitch Hat features a ribbed brim, linen stitch body and decreased crown.  

Pattern includes written instructions for 3 sizes (Toddler, Youth and Adult) and links to fully captioned tutorial videos detailing the stitch pattern and decreased crown.

MATERIALS

Links below are affiliate links that benefit GKK if you make a purchase.

Yarn

Bulky (#5) weight yarn
Loops & Threads Charisma BIG in color Off White used in sample.

Needle

US-10 (6.00 mm) and US-11 (8.00 mm) – 5 DPNs or circular needle.
Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Interchangeable circular needles used in sample.

Notions

Tapestry needle to weave in ends
8 Stitch markers

ABBREVIATIONS

K = Knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sl = Slip stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
YB = Move yarn to back
YF = Move yarn to front

New to knitting? I’ve got a How to Knit Beginner Video Series to teach you ALL the basics.

GAUGE

13.5 sts x 29 rows in 4” (10 cm) in linen st

SKILL LEVEL Easy+

SIZES 

Toddler (Youth, Adult)

MEASUREMENTS 

Circumference 14.5 (17, 19.5) inches and 38 (43, 49) cm and 7.5 (8.5, 9) inches [19 (21.5, 23) cm] in height. 

NOTES

The stitch pattern is multiple of 2 +1.  

INSTRUCTIONS

Using US-10 needles, cast on 49 (57, 65) sts and join in the round. Place marker after last st to mark beginning of round.

Hat Brim:

Size Toddler:
Rnd 1: *K2, P1. Rep from * to last st. P1.

Size Youth:
Rnd 1: *K2, P1. Rep from * to end of rnd.

Size Adult:
Rnd 1: *K2, P1. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K1, P1.

All sizes:

Rep Rnd 1 until piece measures 1.5, (2, 2) inches [3.75 (5, 5) cm] or until desired length.

Switch to US-11 needles on next rnd for hat body.

Hat Body in Linen Stitch:

Rnd 2: *K1, YF, Sl1, YB. Rep from * to last st. K1.
Rnd 3: *YF, Sl1, YB, K1. Rep from * to last st. YF, Sl1. YB.

Rep Rnds 2-3 until piece measures 5.5 (7, 8) inches [14 (18, 20) cm] or until desired length. End after a Rnd 2.

Rnd 4: *YF, Sl1, YB, K1. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2tog.

Hat Crown:

Starting at the beginning of the round, place a stitch marker every 6 (7, 8) sts.   

Rnd 1: *Knit 4 (5, 6), K2tog. Rep from * around. 40 (48, 56)  sts.
Rnd 2 and alt rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: *Knit 3 (4, 5), K2tog. Rep from * around. 32 (40, 48)  sts.
Rnd 5: *Knit 2 (3, 4), K2tog. Rep from * around. 24 (32, 40) sts.
Rnd 7: *Knit 1 (2, 3), K2tog. Rep from * around. 16 (24, 32) sts. 

Rnd 9: *Knit 0 (1, 2), K2tog. Rep from * around. 8 (16, 24) sts. [Toddler Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]

Rnd 11: *Knit X (0, 1), K2tog. Rep from * around. X (8, 16) sts.  [Youth Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]

Rnd 13: *Knit X (X, 0), K2tog. Rep from * around. X (X, 8) sts. [Adult Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]

FINISHING

Thread end through rem sts and draw up tightly. Fasten securely. Weave in tails.

PIN IT!

Needle Knit Linen Stitch (Flat Panel) Video Tutorial

Select videos are available to GoodKnit Kisses YouTube members only.  To get exclusive access to GKK VIP-only content, free PDF patterns, weekly Zoom meetup and more, sign in to YouTube and join as a VIP Member today! Find out more about GKK Membership HERE!

Right handed

Left handed