Diagonal Knitting How-To

Knitting on the Bias is Simple and Versatile

Diagonal or Bias knitting is one of the very simplest knitting techniques to learn, easy to remember and is adaptable to many stitch motifs, including lace.

Learn how to Knit on the Bias

Learn how to Knit on the Bias

What is it bias knitting, exactly? You are just knitting diagonally!  You'll be increasing at one end of your knitting and decreasing on the other end to create a diagonal effect. 

Bias knitting also makes already interesting self-striping yarns even more appealing and provides the perfect canvas for multiple yarns (as shown in the image above).

Here's my Diagonal knitting Work in Progress

Here's my Diagonal knitting Work in Progress

How to Knit Diagonally

Building The First Corner

  • Cast On 2 stitches

  • Row 1: Increase in each stitch (4 stitches)

  • Row 2: Knit (garter), or purl (stockinette)

  • Row 3: Knit across - Increase in 1st and last stitch (knitting front & back is easiest)

  • Continue working rows 2 & 3 until the bottom edge of triangle is as wide as desired ending with Row 2.

Long Center Section

  • Row 1: Increase in first stitch, knit to the last 2 stitches, knit 2 together.

  • Row 2: Knit (garter) or purl (stockinette)

  • Repeat these 2 rows until project is as tall as desired, ending with Row 2

Last Corner

  • Row 1: Knit 2 together at both the beginning and end of the row.

  • Row 2: Knit (garter) or purl (stockinette)

  • Repeat these 2 rows util only 2 stitches remain then knit those 2 together and fasten.

Know that you know how easy bias knitting is, here's 3 free patterns to get you started!

Happy (diagonal) knitting!

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