Help! Odd ribbing technique

#1

I just bought the book “Hip Knits” from Better Homes and Gardens and I’m very confused by the ribbing instructions for a hooded sweatshirt pattern. (Should you own the book, the pattern is on page 60.)

The instructions for the ribbing are as follows:
[B]Row1:[/B] knit
[B]Row2:[/B] P1; (k1B, k1B, p1)
Repeat rows 1-2 for rib pattern

There are special instructions for “k1B”, which is where I’m totally baffled:

[B]k1B:[/B] Knit into next st, one row below, at same time, slip of st above.

To me, it sounds like an increase, but that just doesn’t make sense, especially when looking at the finished piece in the picture. The other thing I found odd is that it’s worked over an odd number of stitches. Also, in the gauge for the ribbing it says “9-1/2 sts and 15 rows = 4 inches” The “9-1/2 sts” greatly confuses me; most other patterns I have followed have used whole stitches.

Thanks to anyone who can help!!!

#2

It’s not an increase, it creates a rib like pattern also called Shaker stitch or Fisherman’s rib. To do k1B you would insert your needle into the stitch below the one on your left needle, wrap the yarn around and pull out the new stitch, dropping both stitches off the left needle (the one on the needle and the one below it.) I think there’s a video for it in the Glossary under K1B

#3

Ribbing can be worked over an odd or even number. Sometimes the st count is determined by what st needs to be on a seaming or selvage edge to match up with an adjacent piece.

Gauging ribbing means pulling on it slightly to count the sts. This pattern may net you 19 sts over 8" but the standard is to report the count over 4" so they noted it’s 1/2 of that (9 1/2).

cam

#4

This isn’t ordinary ribbing though, there’s no purls in the pattern. The reason for the odd number of sts is to give a firm k1 st at each end of the row, instead of one of them being a k1B

#5

This isn’t ordinary ribbing though, there’s no purls in the pattern.

I agree it’s not ordinary but no purls?

The instructions for the ribbing are as follows:
Row1: knit
Row2: P1; (k1B, k1B, p1)
Repeat rows 1-2 for rib pattern

cam

#6

Oh whoops, I missed the purl sts. I rushed reading it and thought it was like the other k1b patterns I’ve seen… I’ll go take a time out in the corner now. :oops:

#7

No need for time out, Sue. :wink: Usually takes me a few reads to distinguish between KB1s and K1Bs. The double K1Bs sounds like this’ll make for a chunky rib.

cam