Pennant Stitch
rows of triangles or pennants formed by widening and narrowing blocks of purl on a knit ground
Pennant stitch draws rows of little triangles, like a string of flags, using only knits and purls. Over a stockinette background you start a block of purl stitches and add one more purl on each row so the block grows to a wide base, then either drop back to a point or begin the next pennant, so the purl areas form triangles that read against the smooth knit. Depending on how you stack and mirror them, the triangles point up or down or alternate into a zigzag band. It is an easy, satisfying texture that gives strong geometric interest for no more skill than counting stitches, which makes it good for scarves, cushion fronts, and colour-block bags. The purl triangles sit forward off the knit ground, so a smooth yarn shows the shapes crisply, and the fabric lies reasonably flat. Keep the growing or shrinking count consistent on each row so the pennants stay even, and a simple chart makes the shaping obvious.