Easy Pearl Stitch Knitting Pattern: 2 Rows, 2 Stitches, Looks Like Beads
At first glance you'd wonder how it's made. It looks like rows of tiny pearls, but the whole pattern is just two rows and two stitches, repeated.
This is one of those knitting designs people stop and look at twice. From the front it looks like little beads or pearls sitting in neat rows, and you'd think it takes something clever to make. It doesn't. The whole pattern is two rows and two stitches, and once your hands learn the rhythm you won't need to look at the instructions again.
The back of the fabric has its own neat texture too, which I show at the start of the video.
What you'll need
- Any smooth yarn you like: wool, merino wool, cotton or acrylic all show the pearls nicely
- A pair of knitting needles to suit your yarn
- That's it. No cable needle, no stitch markers
Stitch count
You need an odd number of stitches. If your project calls for an even number, just add or take away one stitch. The swatch in the video is knitted on 35 stitches; to teach it I cast on just 11 so you can see every stitch clearly.
Foundation row
The pattern starts on the wrong side, so first knit one foundation row on the right side. Knit every stitch plain, or work it to match your border. This row is only knitted once and isn't part of the repeat.
The pattern
- Row 1 (wrong side):wrong side
Slip the first stitch, knit to the last stitch, purl the last stitch.
- Row 2 (right side):right side
Slip the first stitch. *Purl 1, take the yarn to the back, pull up the loop sitting underneath the next stitch, twist it and place it on the left needle, then knit it together with that next stitch through the back loop (2 into 1).* Repeat from * until 2 stitches remain, then purl 1, knit 1.
Repeat these two rows. That's the whole pattern: row 1 is plain, and row 2 is one purl stitch followed by the lifted loop knitted together with the next stitch, over and over.
Where to use it
Because it's a small, even texture, pearl stitch works almost anywhere: baby cardigans and matinee jackets, mufflers and scarves, cushion covers, or as a textured panel on a plain sweater. It's easy enough for a beginner who knows knit, purl and knitting two together through the back loop.
- pearl stitch
- knitting stitch pattern
- easy knitting pattern
- textured knitting
- hand knitting
- beginner knitting
- wool
- handmade
