Cast on an even number of stitches. Slip stitches purlwise
Row 1 – right side: Knit 1, * slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 1; rep from * to last st, knit 1.
Row 2: Purl 1, * slip 1 with yarn in back, purl 1; rep from * to last stitch, purl 1.
Repeat these 2 rows.

Two-color linen stitch
Work with color A for two rows and color B for two rows. Repeat these 4 rows.

Three-color linen stitch
Start with color A and work Row 1.
Row 2: Color B
Row 3: Color C
Row 4: Color A
Row 5: Color B
Row 6: Color C
Repeat these 6 rows.

Linen stitch in the round
Round 1: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front; rep from * around.
Round 2: * Slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 1; rep from * around.