This stitch pattern was birthed because knitting abbreviations aren’t consistent from one designer to another—this was intended to be Knit-in-the-Row-Below! Compare it with 2 sts x 10 rows KRB Contrary Fisherman’s Rib (I-B-1-(12)) to see how very different these fabrics appear; this Garter Stitch version appears to have a strong horizontal texture, and is also compact through twisting, eliminating the loft that comes from pulling up stitches 

A variation on the previous pattern, shifting the placement of the stitches makes an entirely new type of Garter Stitch, providing textural interest while slightly compacting the fabric by knitting through the back loop

At first glace, this knitted fabric appears as simple Garter Stitch, but behold! Twisting stitches by knitting through the back loop adds subtle texture and a bit of extra warmth through its compact structure

When you’re comfortable with the basic knit and purl of Stockinette Stitch, then it’s time to switch it up with -tbl—knitting and purling through the back loop—twisting the stitch for a more compact fabric

As previously mentioned, continuously knitting through the back loop adds additional tension to the fabric, resulting in biased fabric. Here’s the result of alternating k-tbl rows with purl rows

Once you’ve mastered the basic knit and purl stitches, it’s a logical step to intentionally work those stitches through the back loop. This tightens the stitch, making it more compact, and giving the impression of plaited columns. Note that, repeatedly working stitches through the back loop in the round (circularly knitted) creates so much twist that the fabric tends to bias. Therefore, it’s best to work the piece flat (back-and-forth), or by alternating rounds with untwisted stitches

The simplest knit and purl stitch effects are created with repeating bands of color, and highlighted with texture by adding Garter Stitch rows

Really, any beginning knitter is capable of undertaking this voyage into playing as Mother Nature does. The key is to keep count of your rows. Tip: count the U-shaped purl bumps, rather than attempting to remember, “What row is this?”

Single Color Striping on two-needle (back-and-forth flat) knitting employs three colors changing every row to create subtle color blending. The use of novelty yarns adds even more texture and pattern. See also how CONDO KNITTING uses different needle sizes—one very large and the other more suitable to the recommended gauge—to achieve fascinating effects

Once you know how to work this Knit-in-the-Row-Below Elongated Cluster technique, it’s really not as difficult as it looks, but oh, what a fascinating texture!

Elongated diagonal knit-in-the-row-below stitches are multiplied into clusters for a field of daisies, whether you choose the Stockinette or the purl background

This Elongated Knit-in-the-Row below pattern features both left and right diagonal stitches—not difficult, but certainly requiring your concentration to keep the tension even as you Pick Up & Knit from the correct position. The Reverse Stockinette side is also a design option