Hurdle Stitch Knitting Pattern for Beginners

This Hurdle Stitch Knitting Pattern is a sweet knit and purl combination. It resembles the hurdles jumped in track class or horses. This rib pattern knits up with a thick texture, lies perfectly flat, and is a reversible pattern in a simple combination of knits and purls. Easily add a pop texture to knitting projects with this stitch when designing blankets, scarves, and hats.

Get your free written pattern instructions with the video tutorial below. You may also purchase my ad-free Knit Stitch Pattern Book in both hardcopy and e-book formats.

Hurdle stitch texture knitted with blue colored yarn on wooden needle.

About the Hurdle Stitch

Stitch Techniques

A series of easy knits and purls create this textured pattern.

Texture Design

Hurdle Knot texture is knitted with a combination of the easy Garter Stitch and 1×1 Rib Stitch Patterns. This ribbed knit stitch resembles vertical hurdles with little knots connecting each.

Row Repeat

Knit up the Hurdle Stitch in a simple 4-row repeat.

Lays Flat

It is a favorite stitch choice because this pattern easily lays flat.

Reversible

The Hurdle Stitch is a reversible pattern, meaning that both sides of your work, the right and wrong sides, are identical.

Right and wrong sides of the Hurdle stitch texture knitted with blue colored yarn.

Knit Stitch Pattern Book

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

Can the Hurdle Stitch be knit in the round on circular needles?

Yes, this pattern includes written instructions to knit it in the round. Try it out with either circular or double-pointed needles.

Hurdle stitch knitting texture on circular bamboo needles with blue colored yarn.

Knitting Techniques

The Hurdle Stitch is an easy combination of simple Knit and Purl Stitches. Find my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help knit up this project.

Watch Video Tutorial

SHOW BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK

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“This is a really nice looking stitch Kristen… thanks for another great video! By the way, I really like how you show both front and back of a stitch pattern. It helps a lot when deciding what to make. Two thumbs up!”
Close-up of Hurdle stitch texture knitted with blue colored yarn.

Cast On and Cast Off for Ribbing

When beginning and ending Rib Stitch Patterns, you may wish to do so “in pattern.” This creates the ribbed texture along the edge for knitted items like sleeves and necks, rather than a solid horizontal edge.

Casting On: Alternating the Long-Tail Cast On Knitwise and Cast On Purlwise stitches in pattern to begin your project.

Casting Off: Alternating the Basic Cast Off Knitwise and Cast Off Purlwise gives the finished edge the same texture as your ribbing.


Pillow Project Idea

This easy Hurdle Stitch texture became instantly popular with everyone, so I thought it would be fun to design a project using this simple stitch, too. This knitted pillow gives your home decor an instant pop of color, both indoors and out!

Two knitted pillows in hurdle stitch texture in shades of blue yarn color on a white adirondack chair.

Printable Knitting Instructions

Hurdle Basket Weave Stitch Knitting Pattern in blue yarn color on knitting needle.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Hurdle Knit Stitch Pattern is a 4-Row Repeat, Reversible pattern.

Makes: Hurdle Stitch
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: Multiples of 2

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit All
  2. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Knit All
  3. Row 3: * K1, P1 *
  4. Row 4: * K1, P1 *

or

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:

  1. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit All
  2. Row 2: Purl All
  3. Row 3: * K1, P1 *
  4. Row 4: * K1, P1 *

Notes

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 until your piece is the length you desire

Repeat pattern between the * * asterisks

Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern

4-Row Repeat

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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

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KNITTING CHART

Knitting chart graph of the Hurdle Stitch.

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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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