Bamboo Stitch Knitting Pattern

This beautiful Bamboo Stitch Knitting Pattern is a personal favorite. With a simple 2-Row Repeat, we create these really pretty rows that look like stalks of bamboo. This stitch is easy to memorize and requires basic knitting stitches, along with a few yarn overs.

Knitted Bamboo Stitch Pattern swatch in green color yarn wrapped around bamboo stalks.

About the Bamboo Stitch

Get your free printable knitting pattern for both flat and in-the-round projects below. My lesson includes a video tutorial for extra help with the yarn-over and passed slip techniques.

Texture Design

Easily knit up a unique texture when designing blankets, scarves, and hats.

Row Repeat

The Bamboo Stitch is created in a simple 2-row repeat.

Unique Ribbing

A series of yarn-overs and passed stitches create this ribbed stitch pattern.

Not Reversible

This is not a reversible pattern, as you can see below that the right and wrong sides are not identical.

Right and wrong sides of the Bamboo Stitch in green colored yarn on knitting needle.

Watch Video Tutorial

Visually Clear Tutorials

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“You know, you have the most comprehensive and visually clear tutorials for knitting that I’ve seen on YouTube, no lies! I’ve used your videos a handful of times so far, and you really take the cake in visual representation and instruction. Thanks a million for the excellent stitch tutorials, they are very helpful!”

Knitting Techniques

Need to brush up or learn a new technique? Check out my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help you along as you knit up this project.

Slip Knot 
• CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
• K = Knit Stitch 
• P = Purl Stitch
• YO = Yarn Over
Bind Off
Weave in Ends

Close-up of the Bamboo Stitch texture knitted with green colored yarn on wooden needle.

Steps to Knit the Bamboo Stitch

Cast on your stitches in multiples of two stitches for the desired width of your knitted piece.

Knit a repeat of rows 1 – 2 with an easy series of knits, purls, yarn overs, and passed stitches until your piece is the length you desire.

Note: Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks.

Knitted Flat on Straight Needles:

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): * YO, K2, Pass 1st YO Stitch Over the 2 Knit Sts *
    Begin your first row with a yarn over and knit two stitches. Then take your left needle tip to lift the first yarn over stitch to pass over both of the two knit stitches.
  2. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl All
    Purl all stitches on the wrong side of your work.
Bamboo Stitch texture knitted with green colored yarn on wooden needle.

or

Knitted In the Round on Circular Needles:

  1. Round 1: * YO, K2, Pass 1st YO Stitch Over the 2 Knit Sts *
    Begin your first row with a yarn over and knit two stitches. Then take your left needle tip to lift the first yarn over stitch to pass over both of the two knit stitches.
  2. Round 2: Knit All
    Knit all stitches on the second row.
Bamboo knit stitch on circular bamboo needles with green colored yarn.

Printable Knitting Instructions

Bamboo Stitch texture knitted with green colored yarn on wooden needle.

Printable Knitting Pattern

This beautiful Bamboo Stitch Knitting Pattern creates rows of knitting that look like stalks of bamboo. This stitch is easy to memorize and requires basic knitting stitches.

Makes: Bamboo Stitch
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate

Materials

  • Yarn - Any Gauge

Tools

  • Knitting Needles - Appropriate Size for Yarn
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On: Multiples of 2

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): * YO, K2, Pass 1st St Over *
  2. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl All

or

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:

Cast On: Multiples of 2

  1. Round 1 (Right Side): * YO, K2, Pass 1st St Over *
  2. Round 2: Knit All

Notes

Repeat Rows 1 – 2 until your piece is the length you desire

Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks

Not a Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern

2-Row Repeat

_____

KNITTING TECHNIQUES

  1. Slip Knot 
  2. CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
  3. K = Knit Stitch 
  4. P = Purl Stitch
  5. YO = Yarn Over
  6. BO = Bind Off
  7. Weave In Ends

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Kristen McDonnell
Author & Designer

After publishing her first knitting tutorial video, Kristen founded StudioKnit LLC. Enamored with teaching online, she films knitting lessons and designs from her vibrant production studio on Half Moon Bay’s California coast.

Kristen McDonnell is the author of the highly acclaimed book Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns featuring vintage and unique designs.

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