How to Knit Rib Stitch

The rib stitch is used in many knitting projects where a more elastic type material is needed. You have seen the rib stitch on sock hems, sweater sleeves and bottom hems, and on some scarves. Easy to master, the rib stitch is useful and commonly needed in a lot of different patterns. If you are a novice knitter, learning the rib stitch is one of the easiest things you can do. Here's how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 knitting needles any size
• Yarn
• Knowledge of the knit stitch
• Knowledge of the purl stitch

How to Knit Rib Stitch

1. Get a row under your belt. Cast on 20 stitches in knit just to get going.

2. Do a 1x1 rib stitch by knitting one stitch and purling one stitch. Continue to repeat the knit one purl one pattern all the way across the row. Complete 10 rows so you can see the pattern.

3. Create a 2x2 rib stitch by knitting two stitches and purling two stitches. Repeat the pattern across the row. Continue the 2x2 pattern for 10 rows so you can see the pattern.

4. Knit one more row all the way across and cast off to finish your sample.

5. To make a chunkier rib stitch, knit and purl with a double strand of yarn.

Tips & Warnings

• Use stitch markers on complex projects to mark pattern changes.

Resources

• http://www.learn2knit.co.uk/knitting/basic-stitches.php