Things You'll Need:
- Yarn
- Knitting needles
- Paper
- Pen
- Measuring tape
- Blocking supplies
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Step 1
Decide what you want to make. The mistake rib is a reversible knitting pattern that's typically used for scarves, but you could make a hat, blanket or sweater from it. Be aware that it creates a heavy, bunched up texture.
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Step 2
Choose your yarn and needle size. Anything from DK weight to bulky can work, depending on what you're making. For a garment or blanket, you may want to stick with the lighter weight yarns but a bulky scarf or hat is cozier in winter.
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Step 3
Figure out the expected gauge according to the information on the yarn band. Start with the needle size the band suggests. Adjust the needle size appropriately if you know you tend to knit tight or loose.
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Step 4
Make a swatch that you expect will turn out 5 x 5 inches. The mistake rib is based on a multiple of four stitches plus one extra. That means a scarf that's 18, 19 or 20 stitches wide won't come out with the mistake rib pattern. Cast on 17, 21 or 25 stitches based on your gauge.
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Step 5
Wash the swatch the way you intend to wash the finished piece and use a measuring tape to figure out stitches and rows per inch. Write up the pattern according to the size of the piece and the results of your swatch.
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Step 6
Knit your garment in a knit 2, purl 2 pattern. You should see the following stitch pattern emerge: garter, reverse stockinette, garter, stockinette. You can orient yourself if you get lost by checking which of these four stitches you need to knit next.
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Step 7
Wash your piece according to the instructions on the yarn band. When blocking the mistake rib pattern, stretch your knitting out so that the bumpy rows shoot up from the hidden ones.
