Easy Knitted Chains Stitch

Is there a simple way to add texture to any knitted project? Of course! There are a number of ways to do it, and easy knitted chains stitch is one of them.

The lovely textured elements formed by this stitch pattern do look like chains, don’t they?

Add one or more of these chains to an edge of a hat, a sweater, a cardigan, or use these chains to decorate cuffs or your socks and mittens.

Whatever you choose to do, you can knit this stitch even if you are very new to knitting. If you know how to knit and purl, you’ll make these chains without any effort.

THIS STITCH IN A NUTSHELL

• Level of difficulty – Easy
• Reversible? No
• Textured? Yes
• Best for – Hats, sweaters, cardigans, blankets, socks, mittens
• Stitch multiple – 2 stitches
• Row multiple – 4 rows / rounds

VIDEO TUTORIAL
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WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO KNIT EASY CHAINS STITCH BACK AND FORTH

This stitch pattern is formed on an even number of stitches.

While the texture of this stitch is beautiful, the side edges do not look neat and tidy. That’s why it is better to add one selvedge stitch at each side of the work.

To keep the side edges nice and tidy, we’ll treat the first and the last stitches of each row as selvedges.

Any kind of slip-stitch selvedges will do. I’ll use my favourite Silesian selvedges method – knit the first stitch of every row through the back loop and slip the last stitch of every row purlwise with the yarn at the front of the work.

Note: In this stitch pattern, we slip all stitches purlwise.

Row 1 (right side): selvedge, [ purl 1, slip 1 with yarn in front ], repeat the brackets to the last stitch, selvedge.

Row 2 (wrong side): selvedge, [ knit1, slip 1 with yarn in back ], repeat the brackets to the last stitch, selvedge.

Row 3 (right side): selvedge, knit all stitches to the last stitch, selvedge.

Row 4 (wrong side): selvedge, purl all stitches to the last stitch, selvedge.

Repeat rows 1 – 4 to form the pattern.

HOW TO KNIT EASY CHAINS STITCH IN THE ROUND

To add this pattern to a seamless project, cast on an even number of stitches.

Arrange stitches for working in the round on double-pointed needles, two circular needles, or one circular needle (with or without using the magic loop method).

Join stitches in a circle and place a marker to mark the beginning of the round.

Round 1: [ purl 1, slip 1 with yarn in front ], repeat the brackets to the end of the round.

Round 2: [ slip 1 with yarn in front, purl 1 ], repeat the brackets to the end of the round.

Round 3: knit all stitches.

Round 4: knit all stitches.

Repeat rounds 1 – 4 to form the pattern.

You can use this stitch pattern as an all-over stitch on a hat or a sweater. Or, you can add the chain detail only to the cast-on edge of your project.

To highlight the chain and to make the edge more elastic, use the chain cast-on method, as I did when I made this swatch.

VARIATION

To create more space between the chains, repeat rows / rounds 3 and 4 one or more times before you work rows / rounds 1 and 2 again.

CHART

If you are not sure how to read a knitting chart, here’s a guide for beginners that explains what knitting charts mean, how to understand the symbols, why there is a red frame in a chart, and how to read lace, cable, or any other knitting chart when knitting back and forth or in the round.

GIVE IT A TRY!

Take any medium-weight yarn in a light colour and needles in a size recommended for this yarn and cast on 12 stitches.

Follow instructions for Row 1, Row 2, Row 3 and Row 4 of the pattern until you make 12 rows.

Look at the texture of your swatch, stretch it to see how elastic it is, and notice the difference between the right and the wrong sides of the fabric.

What is the first project that comes to mind? When you submit your choice in the fully anonymous poll below, you will see what other knitters picked.

PATTERN CARD

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