One of the first surprises for most machine knitters is the fact that the humble garter stitch is problematic on the knitting machine. Because our needles face in one direction and they form uniform stitches in one direction, we can easily produce stockinette stitch (translated knit 1 row, purl 1 row) but to knit every row?…..

By default, knitting machines knit stockinette stitch. Stockinette has a smooth side (knit) side and a bumpy side (purl side)
In hand knitting terms this is knit 1 row purl 1 row.
Hand knitters can easily knit garter stitch by knitting every row. The "purl bumps" are visible on both sides of the knitting.

As machine knitters we have to take steps to show the purl bumps on the opposite side of our knitting.
Even with a ribber, knitting in garter stitch takes extra steps.

There are a number of techniques you can use to get garter stitch texture in your knitting. From hand manipulating a few stitches to turning the work with a garter bar, to using your ribber to using a garter carriage, with a little planning machine knitters can incorporate purl bumps in our knitting.