Ribbing is often used as an edging on projects worked with other stitches, like the brim of a hat or the cuff of a sleeve.
But sometimes it’s fun to let ribbing take center stage in a project. It’s easy to knit and give a nice graphic element to any project. It’s also stretchy, squishy and warm. Let’s take a look at some ribbing knitting patterns that bring this stitch to center stage.
A scarf is always a good place to start. This ribbed scarf pattern from Purls and Pixels uses 1×1 ribbing so it almost looks like a solid stockinette fabric. You will definitely get comfortable with switching between knits and purls as you work this pattern! And of course you can use any ribbing combination you like in a scarf pattern; just make sure you have the right number of stitches so the pattern ends where it will be reversible (1×1 ribbing works on multiples of 2, while 2×2 works on multiples of 4, for example).
Purl Soho has a sweet ribbed hat, which is a classic design. They’re easy to knit, comfy to wear, work for everyone and you can knit it extra long to make a foldover brim or keep it slouchy. This one is worked in 1×1 ribbing and sized from baby to large adult.
How about a nice pair of ribbed socks? Allover ribbing makes socks super stretchy and helps them hug your foot. The DRK Everyday sock from Andrea Mowry uses ribbing everywhere but the toe. They’re worked in sock yarn and come in 11 sizes to fit babies through large men. You can get the pattern on Ravelry.
The contrasting colors on the Ribbing Please shawl by Stephen West make it look more complicated than it is, but the stitch pattern here is ribbing, too. The sample uses a collection of DK and worsted weight yarns and is worked in 2×2 ribbing. You can get this pattern on Ravelry.
Ribbing isn’t just for accessories; how about a whole top made out of ribbing? The Night and Day Racerback top from Thorson Knits uses a pretty 2X1 rib and superfine yarn. It comes in 9 sizes up to about a 62 inch bust measurement and has about 4 inches of positive ease. You can get the pattern on Etsy.
Have You Tried This? Ribbing with No Purling
A Little Ribbed Tank Knitting Pattern
