How to Knit Ribbing With Double Pointed Needles
Ribbing, created with a combination of knit and purl stitches, is used to make flexible fabric that bounces back into shape after stretching. It is most often used for sweater edges and cuffs. Double pointed needles often are used to make seamless ribbing in the round for small items like socks, mittens, baby hats or doll clothing.
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Things You'll Need
- Yarn
- Double pointed needles (4- or 5-needle set)
- Split stitch marker or safety pin
Instructions
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Cast On
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1
Place a slip knot with a long tail on one double pointed needle. The tail should be about one inch for every stitch you want to cast on.
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2
Hold the strands with your left hand (needle in your right), then slip your thumb and forefinger between the strands and spread them apart while pulling the yarn down against your palm to form a V.
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3
Sweep the needle (in your right hand) to the outside of the yarn on your left thumb, catch the yarn, then pull it across your palm and catch the outside of the yarn on your forefinger and pull it through the loop around your thumb. Pull the stitch tight. Continue casting on stitches until you have an even number of stitches.
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4
Divide the cast-on stitches as evenly as possible among the other double pointed needles in the set, leaving one needle free for stitching. In a four-needle set, three needles will have stitches on them. In a five-needle set, four needles will have stitches on them.
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5
Mark the first stitch with a split stitch marker or safety pin around the yarn (not the needle).
Start the Ribbing
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6
Begin with the stitches on the first needle. Knit the first stitch, then purl the second.
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7
Pull these first two stitches tightly as you do them so there is no hole between the beginning and end of the cast-on row. These beginning stitches will join the cast on row into a loop that you will continue stitching as rounds, instead of rows.
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8
Continue to stitch K1, P1 until you complete all the stitches on the first needle.
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9
Use the cleared needle as your right hand needle for stitching the K1, P1 ribbing across the stitches on the next needle.
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10
Repeat the K1, P1 stitches around until you are back to the first stitch. One row of ribbing is now complete.
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11
Continue working around in a circle, knitting in each knit stitch and purling in each purl stitch until the piece is the length you need it.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When you cast off after ribbing, unless the pattern tells you otherwise, cast off using the same K1, P1 pattern as used for the ribbing. Be sure to pull the yarn tight for the first two stitches on every needle to prevent holes between the stitch divisions. Placing an even number of stitches on each needle makes it easier to remember to always start each needle with a Knit stitch. To make a set of four needles a set of five, you can borrow a needle one size smaller or larger from another set. Because the needles constantly circulate as each section is completed and a new needle becomes the stitching needle, the change in size won't be noticeable in your gauge.
Be careful not to twist the cast on row before you start knitting. Lay the needles on a flat surface and make a triangle or square with them. Make sure all the stitches swing to the inside on the closed shape.
Resources
- Photo Credit Catherine Chant
