The Crochet Garter Stitch is a type of crochet stitch that looks like the classic knit garter stitch but isn’t! All you need to know is how to make crochet slip stitches to achieve this crochet stitch tutorial.
As someone who loves the look of knitted items but hasn’t fully grasped the concept of knitting, I enjoy discovering crochet stitches that mimic that beloved style. For those who can knit, I applaud your skills! Knitting can be quite tricky, and I always worry I’ll drop a stitch.
Fortunately, one of the great advantages of crochet is that the stitches are harder to drop, making it more forgiving for beginners.
This crochet stitch is a fantastic technique to learn and can be used in various projects, including sweaters, dishcloths, and scarves. Just keep in mind that this stitch is only present on one side of the crocheted piece, while the knit garter stitch showcases the stitch on both sides.
This characteristic adds a distinct flair to your work and allows you to create unique, one-sided designs.
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✏️ Things To Note:
- Swatch vs. Full Projects. This tutorial is designed as a stitch swatch. If you plan to make a full washcloth, scarf, or other projects, you may need to adjust your starting chains accordingly.
- Yarn Recommendations. Any worsted weight yarn or lighter is suitable for this stitch. However, I recommend avoiding chunky and specialty yarns, as they can cause the stitch definition to get lost.
- Row Condensation. Since the stitches are slip stitches, the rows will be more condensed. This means it may take more rows and time to complete a project using the garter stitch, so be prepared for a longer crafting experience!
🪡 Materials Needed
- Scrap yarn or yarn of choice
- Tapestry needle
- 6mm hook
💭Abbreviations to Remember (US terms)
- Chain - ch
- Slip Stitch - sl st
- Back Loop Only - blo
- Front Loop Only - flo
🍵Instructions for Crochet Garter Stitch
This pattern is made in rows.
Row 1: Ch x26
Row 2: In the second chain from the hook, make a slip stitch. Continue making slip stitches for the rest of the row (25).
Then ch x1 and turn (this is the turning chain so it allows us to turn each row, do not work directly into this chain)
Row 3: Sl st in blo for the entire row (25). Then ch x1 and turn.
Go for loop that is farthest away from you to do the blo.
Row 4: Sl st in flo for the entire row (25). Then ch x1 and turn.
Row 5 and onwards: Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you reach the desired length of your project.
And now you know how to do the garter stitch! A great copycat stitch that looks like knit but isn’t!
🐌Expert Tips
- Maintain Tension: Do not work tightly, as it will make it harder to crochet into the slip stitches. Instead, crochet a bit looser while maintaining tension on the yarn.
- Choose the Right Yarn: For best results, use smooth yarns that allow the stitch definition to shine.
- Check Your Gauge: If you're using this stitch for a specific project, consider checking your gauge to ensure it matches your desired measurements.
🧵Pattern FAQs
That is correct. Because the stitch is only worked as a single stitch repeat, you can have the length of the chain be any number.
If you are looking for a closed texture stitch, you can try this but the look of the garter stitch will be completely lost in the texture.
You can make blanket borders, scarves, hats, and dishcloths to name a few!
🧶More Stitch Patterns
If you tried this Crochet Garter Stitch (or any other pattern on my website), please let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!
Crochet Garter Stitch
Materials
- 1 ball/skein Scrap yarn or yarn of choice
- 6mm hook
- Tapestry needle
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = Chain
- sl st = Slip Stitch
- blo = Back Loop Only
- flo = Front loop only
Notes
Instructions
- This pattern is made in rows.
- Row 1: Ch x26
- Row 2: In the second chain from the hook, make a slip stitch. Continue making slip stitches for the rest of the row (25). Then ch x1 and turn (this is the turning chain so it allows us to turn each row, do not work directly into this chain)
- Row 3: Sl st in blo for the entire row (25). Then ch x1 and turn.
- Row 4: Sl st in flo for the entire row (25). Then ch x1 and turn.
- Row 5 and onwards: Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you reach the desired length of your project.
- And now you know how to do the garter stitch for crochet! A great copycat stitch that looks like knit but isn’t!
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