The basketweave knitting stitch is incredibly easy to knit up. You only need to know how to knit and purl to create this wonderfully textured basket effect on your knitted garments.
The basketweave stitch lies flat and is therefore useful for so many garments. It looks particularly great when used in houseware knitting projects, such as our easy knit tea cosy. Of course, if you would like to knit a basket, the basketweave stitch can’t really be beaten!
Read on to find out more about knitting the basketweave stitch and to get our free tea cosy knitting pattern!
How to knit the basketweave stitch.
The basket weave knitting stitch is made up using a multiple of 8 stitches plus 5.
You then work the following 8 rows;
- (rs) k
- *k5, p3; rep from * to last 5 stitches, k5
- p5, *k3, p5; rep from * to end
- as row 2
- k
- k1, p3, k1, *k4, p3, k1; rep from * to end
- *p1, k3, p4; rep from * to last 5 stitches, p1, k3, p1
- as row 6
Repeat these 8 rows to form the basketweave stitch. You can use any size of needles and yarn. Our photos show the basketweave stitch knit up in super chunky yarn on 12mm knitting needles.
Uses for the basketweave stitch
The basketweave knitting stitch lies flat and this makes it ideal for use on many garments. Scarves, placemats, hats…a basket effect knitting stitch adds stye and interest to so many projects.
Free knitting patterns using the basketweave stitch
There are several awesome free knitting patterns available which use the basketweave stitch. We have listed some of them below, you can click on the links to view them. Please note that you may have to sign up to some of the websites to acquire the free knitting patterns.
Easy and quick chunky basketweave baby blanket
Super chunky basketweave cardigan
Basketweave and slipped stitch afghan
There are many more free knitting patterns which use the basketweave stitch. These are just a few of our favourites.
You could alternative try your hand at our free tea cosy knitting pattern. It is a one size pattern, simply adjust the height to fit. The basket effect on the tea cosy looks really cute!
Free basketweave tea cosy knitting pattern
This practical tea cosy can be knit up in around an hour.
Worked in the easy yet impressive looking basketweave stitch, the cosy will add style to your afternoon tea as well as keeping your drink warm for longer (don’t over stew it though!).
This tea cosy would make a wonderful gift.
It will fit most teapots. It is very stretchy and the height is adjustable.
Materials:
- Pair of 12mm knitting needles.
- 50g of super chunky yarn.
- Faux fur pompom or extra yarn to make a yarn pompom.
Instructions:
MAKE TWO
Cast on 13 stitches.
Work the following 8 row pattern twice, or however many times you need to achieve the desired height. Think of rows 1 to 4 as a block, and rows 5 to 8 a second block. Add or subtract these blocks to fit your pot.
- K
- K5, p3, k5
- P5, k3, p5
- K5, p3, k5
- K
- K1, p3, k5, p3, k1
- P1, k3, p5 ,k3, p1
- K1, p3, k5, p3, k1
Once the required rows are complete, shape the tea cosy as follows:
K3, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k3 (11 stitches remain)
P2tog, p7, p2tog (9 stitches remain)
K2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2 (7 stitches remain)
Cast off purl wise.
To finish
Sew up the top of the tea cosy. Do this with a running stitch, through the chains of the top cast off stitches. Pull slightly to gather, forming the top of the cosy. Secure. You may wish to use this yarn tail to sew on your pompom.
Now sew up the top and bottom of the side seams of the tea cosy, leaving holes for the spout and handle. A good way to do this is to sew up whilst on the teapot.
If you don’t have a teapot to hand, sew up the first inch of the top and bottom side seams.
Attach a pompom.
Sew in all loose ends.
Thanks so much for visiting The Knitting Times today we hope you enjoyed our article about knitting the basketweave stitch!
This tea cosy pattern is featured in the book More Bits and Pieces, 30 fast and easy knitting patterns which you can read for free if you have Kindle Unlimited. There is also a printable PDF available here on Etsy.
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