This video knitting tutorial will help you learn how to knit the whelk stitch. This slip stitch pattern creates waffle like textured fabric that is great for men’s wear, as well as washcloths and blankets.

Skill: Easy
Cast On: Multiples of 4 + 3

For this pattern you will need to know the following techniques:
Knit – k
Purl – p
Yarn Forward – yf
Yarn Back – yb
Slip Stitch – sl st

Pattern Instructions:

Row 1 (RS): K3, *sl 1 purlwise, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 2: K3, *yf, sl 1 purlwise, yb, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 3: K1, *sl 1 purlwise, k3; rep from * to last two sts, sl 1 purlwise, k1.
Row 4: P1, sl 1 purlwise, *p3, sl 1 purlwise; rep from * to last st, p1.

Repeat rows 1 – 4 until you have reached your desired length.

After a few repeats your pattern should look like this:

Example of the Whelk Stitch right side close up (click for larger)

Example of the Whelk Stitch wrong side close up (click for larger)