5) Learn to Knit the Rib Stitch

Pre-requisite Skills:

cast on (CO) and bind off (BO)

knit (k) and purl (p)

New Skill: switching between knitting and purling within a row

Introduction

So far we have been knitting and purling entire rows to create patterns and textures. We can create even more textures when we mix knitting and purling within a row. Ribbing, also called the rib stitch, is one of the most common textures found in knitting because it creates a very stretchy fabric, is reversible, and generally will lie flat. You will see it commonly on the cuffs, collars, and hems of sweaters as well as on the cuffs of socks and edges of hats. The elasticity of ribbing helps socks stay up, hats stay on, and sleeves stay closed. Ribbing can also be used to make form-fitting garments or used as the main texture of a piece.

The “ribs” are formed by alternating columns of knit stitches with columns of purl stitches. For this pattern, we will be making a 2x2 rib (k2, p2). By varying the number of knit and purl stitches in a rib, you can create different rib patterns such as 1x1 rib (k1, p1), 4x4 rib (k4, p4), 3x2 rib (k3, p2), and so on.

The most important thing to remember when knitting a rib stitch is to make sure the working yarn is in the correct position. The working yarn should be behind the needle when making a knit stitch but in front of the needle for a purl stitch. If the yarn is in the wrong position it will create an extra loop, which will create a hole in your fabric and and extra stitch in the next row.

You may hear people talk about “knitting the knits and purling the purls.” This means that if your next stitch on the left-hand needle has a V underneath it, then you knit that stitch. If your next stitch on the left-hand needle has a purl bump underneath it, then you purl that stitch. Thinking about ribbing this way means that you don’t have to count stitches rigorously, you can simply look at your work to see what comes next.