What is the difference between right side vs. wrong side in garter stitch? Aren’t they the same?
The actual garter st is the same but your CO may appear diff one side or the other. Pick a side and mark it as RS…whichever you prefer. When working garter on garment pieces, make sure you have the same side of your CO edge showing on the RS of each piece.
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I’m doing a little swatch and reporting my observations about garter stitch. For the short version skip to the conclusion. :lol:
I cast on with a long tail cast on.
Row 1: After doing one row, I have knit on one side (the side facing me before I turn the work) with the cast on edge looking like little bumps. The other side has purl bumps right under the needle and a bit of smooth “knit” looking stuff below that, edged along the cast on with a line of slightly overlapping looking stitches. [ (Which I was taught is the RS of the cast on, but you don’t have to agree). Lots of times the first row of something is the RS, and often you begin with a rib, but if you start with st st you should really purl the first row to keep all the bumps on one side and if you want that almost embroidered looking edge instead of the bumps as the outside]
Row 2: After knitting this row and before turning I have the embroidered looking edge, then one garter ridge, there is a knit row above the ridge, and it “seems like” there is also a knit row under the ridge. On the reverse side I have a garter ridge right against the needle and flat below that that seems like 2 rows of knit stitches, and the bumpy cast on edge.
Row 3: After finishing and before turning I have, starting from the cast on edge (the bumpy edge), flat stuff (looks like two knit rows), one garter ridge and a knit row right below the needle. The other side has the overlapping, embroidery like cast on edge, what seems to be a row of knit, one garter ridge with one row of knit above it and then a row of purl bumps right under the needle. That row of purl bumps is a garter ridge, but it is tight against the needle.
Row 4: After working and before turning (the overlapping cast on edge faces) It looks like a row of knit, a ridge, a row of knit, and ridge and a row of knit just under the needle. Back side has the bumpy edge, two rows of knit, a ridge, a row of knit, a ridge right against the needle.
Row 5 in short: After knitting and before turning. Bumpy cast on faces, has the space before the first garter ridge, 2 garter ridges and ends with a knit row under the needle. Back side: Smoother cast on edge, no gap, and 3 garter ridges, the last one right under the needle.
Row 6 in short: After working, before turning. Smooth cast on edge, no gap, three garter ridges, and a knit row right under the needle. Back side: Bumpy cast on, gap, three garter ridges with the last one right against the needle.
Conclusion: Only after completing an even row do both sides have the same number of garter ridges. Either side could be designated the RS depending on taste. The side with the flatter, embroidery like cast on edge has no flat “gap” before the garter ridges begin. The side with the bumpier cast on edge has a more prominent area of flat knit before the garter stitch ridges begin.
Yes, this was crazy but I learned something in the effort and maybe someone will be interested. :lol: 