Hurdle Stitch Knitting Pattern for Beginners

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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.

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

Table of Contents

Knitting Instructions

Step 1: Cast On Multiple of Two Stitches

Cast on knitting stitches onto your needles in multiples of 2. This determines the width of your work. Select any number of stitches, as long as it is divisible by two.

Step 2: Knit Rows 1 and 2

Knit All

Knit all stitches on your needle for both rows one and two.

Step 3: Knit Rows 3 and 4

* K1, P1 *

Knit one stitch and purl one stitch all the way down your needle for both rows three and four.

Step 4: Repeat Rows 1 Through 4

Repeat rows one through four until your work is the length you desire. Bind off when complete!

Watch Video Tutorial

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SHOW BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK

“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!”

Monica W.

YouTube Video Comment

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

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.

Knit Stitch Pattern Book

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

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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.

How to Cast On Without a Slip Knot or Slip Knot
Cast On
K = Knit Stitch
P = Purl Stitch
Cast Off
Weave-in Yarn Ends

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.

4-Row Knit Stitch Patterns

more 4-Row repeats

Caterpillar Knit Stitch Pattern in white yarn on knitting needle.

Printable Knitting Instructions

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

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

IN THE ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES:

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

Slip Knot
CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
K = Knit Stitch
P = Purl Stitch
BO = Bind Off
Weave In Ends