Hi, I’m fairly knew to knitting and having a hard time understanding rib 12 meaning in terms of total number of stitches. Same goes with rib 2. Thanks in advance for help.
For rib 12, knit a repeat of knit one, purl one 6 times. Rib two would be knit one, purl one (two stitches).
If it helps, you could count out the stitches to be worked, place a marker where you’ll be finishing the rib, and work alternating knit and purl until you hit the marker.
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Just adding to the information already given for 1 x 1 rib.
If your pattern has a 2 x 2 rib, that is you are told k2, p2 to create the rib, then in this case rib 12 would mean to repeat the k2, p2, three times, which still uses up 12 stitches. Rib2 would mean to just work 2 stitches as they present (knit the knits, purl the purls).
In either case counting the stitches to be worked can help.
Often you are expected to maintain the rib pattern by reading the fabric. If you are given a rib2 instruction the next stitch may not be a knit, it may be a purl, and you should identify which it is to keep the columns of knit and purl in line and this is the case for 1 x 1 rib, 2 x 2 rib or any other type of rib (3 x 3 or 2 x 1…)
Once you work those stitches look to see that everything looks right and your columns run smoothly.
The row is an increase row reading as such if that helps. Rib 12, M1, (rib 2, M1, rib 1, M1).
Are you OK with this now or still need help?
I guess I’m still confused because it doesn’t clarify anywhere on the pattern if rib 2 just means 2x2 rib or rib one is 1x1 unless that’s just the general rule for the abbreviation?
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Patterns can be very confusing.
Usually by the time you get to an instruction such as “rib 2” or “rib 12” the pattern of the rib has already been established, so you would continue in whatever pattern you’ve already started.
“Rib” on its own doesn’t specify what sort of rib it is which is why we’ve given a couple of different possibilities in answering.
We can figure this out with a little more information.
What is it you are making and what is the name or number and publisher of the pattern you are following?
Prior to this row with the rib and m1, what was the instruction? Perhaps a waist band, a cuff that is ribbed?
If you can give a line or two from a little earlier in the pattern we can likely provide a clearer answer for you.
You could also post a photo of your work in progress if you like.
Don’t worry you’ll be back on track with your knitting soon, there’s lots of help here.
This is what I have done so far it’s been an alternating k1, P1 and it’s a cable knit sweater pattern.
OK, great.
Your knitting looks lovely. I like the colour too.
You are doing 1 x 1 rib, that’s the k1 p1 repeated across.
Now you are on the transition row between the rib at the waist band and the main body of the sweater. The stitch count changes here which is why there are some increases distributed across the rib row.
The idea is to maintain the rib pattern you have been doing even though it will be interrupted by the increased stitches.
For each “rib” whether it is rib 2, rib 12, rib 1 or any number you need to look at the next stitch to be worked in the left needle.
If that stitch you are about to work is a knit stitch, which looks like a V and creates a column of Vs, then to rib this means to knit it.
If that stitch you are about to work is a purl stitch, which looks like a bump or a line across the stitch and creates the column of bumps which is a bit set back from the column of knits, then to rib this means to purl it.
So, for each rib stitch look at the fabric, knit into the stitches which were previously knit, purl into the stitches which were previously purled.
As you you are adding stitches to the row the columns you produce on the right needle will be a little disrupted, some will look like normal columns like they did before, some will look a little off due to the new stitches being added. This is fine and will not be noticable in the final sweater as you are about to change to the cable patterning anyway.
Just looking at your photo, the next stitch on the left needle will be a purl stitch.
I hope this helps. If you are still stuck let us know.
This is a very complex sweater pattern and will be an amazing achievement.