rev st st
Abbreviation of reverse stocking stitch; reverse stockinette stitch.
Rev st st: the knit side facing out instead of in
Reverse stocking stitch, commonly abbreviated rev st st, is a knitted fabric surface created by working stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows on flat needles, or knit rounds alternating with purl rounds on circulars) and then displaying the wrong side as the finished face. In hand knitting, this means the purl bumps face outward; in machine knitting, the result depends on the machine's construction and needle selection.
The appearance of rev st st is distinctly textured: small horizontal bumps create a nubby surface that catches light differently than standard stockinette. This makes it valuable for garments where visual interest matters more than a smooth drape, particularly in sweaters, blankets, and structured pieces. The fabric lies relatively flat and has similar elasticity to stockinette, though the bumpy surface can snag more easily during wear and laundering.
In industrial knitting, rev st st is typically produced using pile knit systems or by mechanically selecting needles to create purl-side-out structures, rather than physically reversing a completed piece. Hand knitters simply knit the fabric inside-out or seam and turn a garment to expose the purl side. Yarn weight and fiber choice heavily influence the visual effect: chunky wool shows bold texture, while fine merino produces a subtle nap.
The term reverses the usual logic of knit production, where stockinette is prized for its neat appearance on the knit side. Working with rev st st deliberately sacrifices flatness for texture. Because purl stitches sit slightly raised compared to knits, the surface wears faster in high-friction areas and can pill or crush more readily than stockinette, particularly in acrylic blends. This limits its use in garments requiring durability.
Rev st st sits alongside other intentionally textured stitches like garter stitch, cable, and moss stitch as a staple of aesthetic-driven design rather than purely functional knitting. It remains popular in contemporary hand knitting patterns and occasionally in designer knitwear where the bumpy surface is a deliberate design choice rather than a manufacturing compromise.