How to Knit a Two by Two Rib Pattern

One of the more basic embellishments to knitting is the two by two rib pattern. It is great for making or edging sweaters and even making stocking caps. The knit and purl pattern create depth and dimension as well as elasticity, so it makes a great addition to those areas where stretching counts. Keep reading to learn how to knit a two by two rib pattern.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knitting needles
• Favorite choice of yarn
• Cozy chair
• Good lighting

1. Knit 2, then purl 2. Repeat this pattern and end it by knitting 2. This can be as long as you need your work to be.

2. Purl 2 and then knit 2. Repeat this pattern until you get to the end of your row. If you counted correctly, you should be ending with two purl stitches.

3. Repeat this row, making sure to match your knit stitches to your purl stitches and your purl stitches to your knit stitches.

4. Finnish off your work by knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches and slipping each stitch off your needle as you work.

5. Tie the last stitch by running the yarn through it and pulling.

6. Thread your loose yarn through your work. This will keep it from unraveling.

Tips & Warnings

• This stitch tends to contract, so it is not very useful for open ended items such as blankets or scarves. It's best suited for making things like children's and adult's sweaters or edging hats or mittens.
• This pattern can also be altered to any number of combinations, such as knit 1 and purl 1, knit 3 and purl 3, knit 3 and purl 1 or even knit 4 and purl 2. Try them all and see which suits your needs best.
• Always check your gauge to make sure your work is sized correctly with this pattern since it tends to contract.
• If the needles you are working with are creating a piece too big, then switch to a smaller set of needles or vice versa.