How to Make the Beginner-Friendly Bamboo Knit Stitch 

Bamboo Knit Stitch    by Janice Jones    

The beginner-friendly Bamboo Stitch Knitting Pattern is a favorite because it works quickly, is easy to memorize, and reminds me of tranquil bamboo stalks. The fabric is dense and highly textured.

This stitch is a two-row repeat accomplished by knit and purl stitches, yarn overs, and Passovers. Although it may seem complicated, the two-row repeat is straightforward to remember, even for those new to knitting. Once you've mastered the "yarn over, knit two, pass over" sequence, the rest is smooth sailing.

This is not a reversible pattern because the right and wrong sides are not identical. The right side shows the bamboo design, but the wrong side is equally beautiful and can be used to make various useful objects, such as cozy blankets, pillows, dishcloths, placemats, and wearables.

Bamboo stitch showing right side of fabricThe Bamboo Knit Stitch Right Side
The wrong side of the bamboo knit stitch still on needlesThe Bamboo Knit Stitch Wrong Side of Work

In this tutorial, you will need yarn and the appropriate sized needles, scissors and a tapestry needle.  I used 100% Cotton Yarn and size US 6 (4.0 mm) straight needles. Specifically, I chose Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Grass Pelouse.

You may use whatever yarn and needles feel right to you.  

Remember when choosing yarn and needles, choose the size needles recommended on the yarn ball.

If you a beginning knitter, choose a light colored yarn so that you will be able to see your stitches easily and read your knitting.  Read more about choosing yarn for beginners.

Directions for Making this Beginner Friendly Bamboo Knit Stitch

Here are the knitting techniques that you will be using in this tutorial:

How to Do a Yarn Over (YO)?

There are different ways to do a yarn over, depending on whether it occurs before or after a knit or purl stitch. You will make a yarn over at the beginning of the row for the Bamboo Stitch.

To do a yarn over, you wrap the working yarn around the right needle counterclockwise and then knit the next stitch on the left needle.

Learn more about making yarnovers in knitting.

How to do a yarn over for the Bamboo knit stitch

How to Pass One Stitch Over?

To do the Pass One Stitch Over, you pick up the second stitch from the right needle using the tip of your left needle and then pass it over the first stitch and off of the needle.

You will pick up the Yarn-over stitch in this pattern and pass it over the two knit stitches.

Yarn over and then knit 2. Pass the YO stitch over the knit 2 and off the needle.

Notes

  • All instructions are in US Terms
  • In this pattern, the same number of stitches will remain on the needles for each row. No increases or decreases are created.
  • This pattern is a 2-row repeat.
  • You will be casting on a multiple of two stitches, meaning that you should cast on an even number of stitches.

Abbreviations

CO: Cast On Long Tail Method
K: Knit Stitch
P: Purl Stitch
YO: Yarn Over
RS:  Right side of work
WS: Wrong side of work
st:  stitch
*   *: Repeat the instructions between the two *  * 

Instructions

Step One: Cast on stitches in Multiples of Two. For this tutorial, I cast on 18 stitches.
Set up row: Purl all stitches across the row.
Row 1: Right Side: *Yarn over, knit the next two stitches, and pass the yarn over the stitch over the two knitted stitches. Repeat from * to the end of the row.
Row 2: Wrong Side: Purl all stitches across the row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work is the desired length. Bind off and weave in ends.

Pattern Instructions

This is how this pattern would look using abbreviations.

CO 22 Sts.
Set up Row: P across row.
Row 1 (RS): * YO, K2, Pass 1st St Over. Repeat from * to the end of the row.
Row 2 (WS): Purl All

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work is the desired length. Bind off and weave in ends.

If you want to try it out in a project, visit my free beginner-friendly bamboo stitch dishcloth.

Beginner-Friendly Bamboo Knit Stitch Dishcloth:  Free Pattern

A knitted bamboo stitch dishcloth done in beige colored cotton yarnFree Beginner-friendly Bamboo Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

Common Beginner Issues with the Bamboo Stitch and How to Fix Them:

Yarn ball with number 1

Uneven Tension: Tension issues are extremely common when we first learn to knit. By tension, I’m referring to stitches that are too loose or too tight, creating an inconsistent fabric. Most tension problems improve over time with practice. My best advice for this is to be mindful of your knitting and stop periodically to examine your knitted fabric. This helps you identify problems.

Ball of Yarn with number 2

Accidental Yarn Overs: If you make an accidental yarn over, you will create unwanted holes. Ensure you’re only wrapping the yarn over the needle once per instructions. Get into the habit of counting your stitches at the end of the row. If you started with 22 stitches, you should always have 22 stitches in each row.

Ball of Yarn with number 3

Missing Yarn Overs: If you forget to make a yarn over, the pattern will look odd, and you will not have the correct number of stitches.  The best way to avoid this issue is to pay close attention to the pattern.  You will develop a rhythm for the YO, K2, and Pass over with time.  If this continues to be a problem, use a stitch marker to separate the repeats.

Ball of yarn with number 4

Twisting Stitches: This is often a problem for beginners. It occurs when you knit or purl into the wrong part of the stitches. The result is that the stitches appear twisted, and the fabric puckers. Again, be mindful of your knitting and always insert your needle into the stitch correctly.

Ball of yarn with number 5

Difficulty with "Pass One Stitch Over”

If you are struggling to maneuver the yarn over stitch over the two knit stitches, one way that might help is to work on the tips of the needles. If the stitches on the right needle are on the tip, it will be easier for the left needle to lift the yarn over the stitches and then off the needle.

Ball of yarn with number 6

Dropping Stitches: Beginners often struggle with dropped stitches, which happen when stitches accidentally slip off the needles, creating holes. Using bamboo or wooden knitting needles frequently helps keep the stitches from falling off. If they slip off, use a crochet hook to retrieve them.

Last Words

With its easy two-row repeat and visually appealing texture, the Bamboo Knit Stitch is a joy to knit and a perfect starting point for beginners.

Its clear structure makes it easy to learn and master, while its versatility lends itself to a variety of projects. So, grab your needles and yarn and experience the pleasure of creating beautiful, textured fabric with the beginner-friendly Bamboo Knit Stitch!

Happy Knitting!

Janice

Pin Now, Knit Later

Knit bamboo stitch worked in white on green bamboo stalks as part of a pin imageThe Bamboo Knit Stitch: Pin for Future Reference

More Beginner Knit Stitches For You To Try:  You might like these

About Janice

Hi, I’m Janice, the voice behind Smart-Knit-Crocheting. I love to knit and crochet and even more, I love teaching others what I know.

Though I learned to knit and crochet as a child, I didn’t get serious about these amazing hobbies until I retired. I’m a certified knit and crochet instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and am working on becoming a Master Hand Knitter through The Knitting Guild Association.

I’m currently living with my husband of over 50 years and our 7 Shih Tzu dogs.

I love hearing from you, so please drop me a line and let me know what you’re working on, whether you love knitting or crocheting more, and if you have any questions. Please visit my about me page for more information.


Happy Crocheting