Glossary / Stockinette
St stStockinette
Knit one row, purl the next; the smooth V fabric. UK stocking stitch.
Also written: stst, stocking stitch
How to work it
Working flat, knit every stitch on right-side rows and purl every stitch on wrong-side rows; in the round, simply knit every round. The right side shows smooth columns of Vs and the wrong side shows purl bumps (reverse stockinette). It is the default fabric of sweaters and most gauge swatches, but its edges curl, so patterns border it with garter, ribbing, or seed stitch. Called stocking stitch in UK patterns.
US and UK
This stitch is also called Stocking stitch (UK). Always check which term set a pattern uses before you start, since the same name can mean a different stitch across the two.
Common confusions
What does St st mean?
Stockinette stitch. Worked flat it means knit every right-side row and purl every wrong-side row; worked in the round it means knit every round. The right side shows smooth columns of Vs. UK patterns call the same fabric stocking stitch.
Why do the edges curl?
Because knit and purl stitches pull differently, and in stockinette they are all on one face. The sides roll toward the back and the top and bottom roll toward the front. It is not a mistake and blocking only partly tames it, which is why patterns border stockinette with garter, ribbing, or seed stitch.
In other languages
| Language | Term | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Stockinette | St st |
| Español | Punto jersey | no standard code |
| Deutsch | Glatt rechts | gl re |
| Français | Jersey | no standard code |
| Italiano | Maglia rasata | no standard code |
| 日本語 | メリヤス編み | no standard code |
Related stitches
Keep your place while you work this stitch. Worsted counts your rows and rounds and remembers your spot in the pattern, for crochet and knitting.
Get Worsted