Caterpillar Stitch Knitting Pattern for Beginners

The Caterpillar Stitch Pattern is a great pattern to create a modern pop of texture. This 12-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern is created with a simple combination of knits and purls. It is perfect for dishcloths with pretty ridges for texture.

Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in white yarn on knitting needle.

Caterpillar Stitch Texture

This vintage Caterpillar Stitch is also called Vertical Dash. This pattern’s background is Reverse Stockinette with alternating vertical stripes in 6 rows in Stockinette.

You may be interested in checking out a similar pattern, the Long Raindrops Stitch, which also has a similar design but is clustered up for extra stretchability.

Hands holding swatch of Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in green color yarn.

Knitting Techniques

The Caterpillar Stitch is an easy combination of simple knit and purl stitches. Find my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help knit up this project.

Knit Stitch Pattern Book

Love easy knitting? Get 50 stitch patterns from my Knit Stitch Pattern Book available in both print and digital formats.

Printable Knitting Instructions

Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in white yarn on knitting needle.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Caterpillar Stitch Pattern is a great pattern for light summer knitting that looks very modern. This 12-Row Repeat Knit Stitch Pattern is also called Vertical Dash.

Makes: Caterpillar Stitch Pattern
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Experienced Beginner

Materials

  • Yarn - Any Gauge

Tools

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

Instructions

KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On in Multiples of 6

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): * K1, P5 *
  2. Row 2 (Wrong Side): * K5, P1 *
  3. Row 3: * K1, P5 *
  4. Row 4: * K5, P1 *
  5. Row 5: * K1, P5 *
  6. Row 6: * K5, P1 *
  7. Row 7: * P3, K1, P2 *
  8. Row 8: * K2, P1, K3 *
  9. Row 9: * P3, K1, P2 *
  10. Row 10: * K2, P1, K3 *
  11. Row 11: * P3, K1, P2 *
  12. Row 12: * K2, P1, K3 *

or

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:

Cast On in Multiples of 6

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): * K1, P5 *
  2. Row 2: * K1, P5 *
  3. Row 3: * K1, P5 *
  4. Row 4: * K1, P5 *
  5. Row 5: * K1, P5 *
  6. Row 6: * K1, P5 *
  7. Row 7: * P3, K1, P2 *
  8. Row 8: * P3, K1, P2 *
  9. Row 9: * P3, K1, P2 *
  10. Row 10: * P3, K1, P2 *
  11. Row 11: * P3, K1, P2 *
  12. Row 12: * P3, K1, P2 *

Notes

Repeat Rows 1 through 12 until your piece is the length you desire.

Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks

Not a Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern

12-Row Repeat

Lays Flat

_____

KNITTING TECHNIQUES

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

_____

KNITTING CHART

Knitting Chart of Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern Chart with Video Tutorial by Studio Knit

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