How to Knit Ribbing

Whether you wish to make a sweater, sock, scarf or mitten, the most invaluable pattern is ribbing. This pattern allows your knit project to stretch, flex and grip. If you have the basic knit and purl stitches of knitting down, you should have no problems mastering the ribbing pattern of knitting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine your ribbing pattern. The more frequently you alternate between the knit and purl stitch, the more elastic your knitting will be. The following steps will be a knit one, purl one pattern, for simplicity.

2. Begin with the knit stitch. To do this, place the needle into the back of the next stitch, wrap the yarn around the needle and bring it back through onto the working needle.

3. Bring the yarn to the front of your work. This prepares you for the purl stitch.

4. Work a purl stitch. To do this, place the needle into the front of the next stitch, pointing towards you. Wrap the yarn around the needing and bring the yarn through to the back.

5. Switch the yarn to the back of your work to prepare for the knit stitch. Continue in the knit one, purl one pattern to the end of the row.

6. Turn the finished needle over and complete the next row in the opposite pattern. Start with a purl stitch and alternate knit and purl until the end of the row.

7. Repeat rows one and two until your work reaches the desired length of ribbing.