Question about ribbing patterns?

#1

I want to make my next scarf a ribbed one (I’m a beginner) but I am confused when I look at patterns. It seems that some patterns say: CO even number of stitches then K1, P1 (or K2,P2) Row one and repeat same for all remaining rows. Then, other patterns say to: K1, P1 to end of Row 1, Then, for Row 2: P2, K2 (which is exactly the opposite of the first method!). Then some patterns say knit the knits and purl the purls…which I don’t understand at all??? Thanks

#2

For the part where you say K1, P1 to end of row, then for row 2, P2, K2…are these just examples? In other words, would the pattern actually say K1, P1 to end of row, then for row 2, P[I]1[/I], k[I]1[/I]?

If so, then that will produce ribbing because when you turn your work over and begin working the opposite, you are knitting the stitches that were purled on the previous row and purling the stitches that were knitted on the previous row. Think of it as producing short sections of stockinette stitch that are opposite of each other–that’s how you get the ribbing.

Knit the knits and purl the purls means to do essentially the same thing. For example, say you K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1. When you turn your work over, the purls will look like knits and the knits will look like purls because you are looking at the back of the stitches. If it looks like a knit, knit it and if it looks like a purl, purl it.

I hope that makes sense!

#3

There are many different kinds of rib stitch patterns and some may actually have you k1, p1 on one row and k2, p2 on the next row. Just follow the patterns and learn which is a knit stitch and which is a purl so you can always knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts [I]as you see them on the current row.[/I] This is important as some people try to figure out how they knit the st on the row before and you’re done with that one and are only looking at the row you’re doing now.

#4

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80021AD.html This a link to a pattern for a ribbed scarf that I was referring to in my first post. The directions say to K1, P1 for row one and all remaining rows so you can see why I am confused. Please look at the pattern and tell me if it will come out as a ribbed scarf. Thank you so very much for your response (s).

#5

Yes it should, because you are starting with a knit and ending with a purl. When you turn, the last purl you made will be the first stitch you work. Once it is flipped you are looking at the knit side of that stitch, so you will again start with a knit and end with a purl. So you are knitting the knits and purling the purls.

#6

So long as you have an even number of stitches, k1 p1 for all rows works out. As I mentioned the back of a purl stitch is a knit, so when the last stitch on a row is a purl, the first stitch on the next row is a knit.

#7

I just have one last question. I will read your answer to it then start doing a practice swatch (or two!). If I am wanting to try the seed stitch, then would that be Row 1, K1, P1 then Row 2, P1, K1 repeating those two rows throughout? That was what I was doing when I thought that was the rib stitch directions. I guess I need to find out how to read pattern directions. Thanks for all your help.

#8

The difference between ribbing and seed stitch is basically that in ribbing, after you turn the work, you knit the stitches that look like Vs (knit the knits) and purl the the stitches that look like n’s (purls) but in seed stitch, you do the opposite - you purl the knits and knit the purls.

So if you cast on an EVEN number of stitches (say 10) then for ribbing, you would k1, p1 every row, but for seed stitch, you would do row 1: k1, p1 and row 2: p1, k1.

If you cast on an ODD number of stitches (say 11) then the directions for ribbing or seed stitch switch! With 11 stitches, to get ribbing, row 1 would be k1, p1 row 2: p1, k1; yet for seed stitch, starting with 11 stitches, you would k1, p1 every row.

When you do your swatch, after about 5 rows, take a look at it. If the v’s are lined up in a vertical line, and the u/n bumps of purls are in a vertical line, you have made ribbing. If there is a purl bump under every v/knit, then you are making seed stitch!

HTH

Eta:

Ribbing swatch would like:
vnvnvnvnvn
vnvnvnvnvn
vnvnvnvnvn
vnvnvnvnvn
vnvnvnvnvn

Seed:
vnvnvnvnvn
nvnvnvnvnv
vnvnvnvnvn
nvnvnvnvnv
vnvnvnvnvn

#9

This helps me so much - I guess I’ve never done seed stitch before.

#10

THAT’S Ribbing!! I looked at the scarf. WOW, pretty pattern.