What is the wrong side in 1x1 rib stitch?
My pattern says end with WS
Thanks.
Wrong side and right side
Good question. Does the pattern specify, for example, that odd numbered rows are RS rows? Or does it tell you to work x number of rows? For me if one side looks better than the other I call that the RS and just make sure I work the same number of rows if I need to match up edges.
Caveat: I mostly consider patterns as suggestions and guides so probably I’m not the best to respond to your question. 
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Hi,
The pattern just states to do 1x1 rib for 3cm ending with a WS row.
Hi
It depends what sort of cast on you did. A cast on has a right side and wrong side although some cast on methods don’t look too different on each side.
A knit cast on or cable cast on produces stitches on the left needle and this is the right side, the work is not turned so row 1 is RS, row 2 WS.
A long tail cast on produces stitches on the right needle and these are the right side, the work is turned before working so row 1 is WS and row 2 RS.
There are lots of other types of cast on of course and also you may have a preference for how one side looks depending what effect you want so in that sense any side can be the right side.
Work knit flat with a 2 x 2 rib may have an extra knit at the end of the row so that when seamed (and a stitch is lost in the seam) the rib pattern looks even and seamless, so on some patterns this is an indicator of the RS.
You would probably want each of your cast on rows and ribs to face the same way so which ever way around you choose try to stick with it for the whole garment. Counting the rows an doing your other rib the same number will ensure they match.
By the way a couple of years ago I asked this same question!
Thank you.
I usually do cable cast on. Therefore, if I cast on 71 with cable stitch , it is my first row of knitting or R/S. Left hand needle will have tail at bottom at this point. Have I understood correctly?
That is the cast on and then when you work into the stitches you will have done row 1 and this is the RS.
Sorry, not sure what you mean by tail at the bottom. Held horizontally the tail will be to the left and at the end if the row. The working yarn will be in position to begin knitting.
Yes that’s right. If you used a cable cast on and the yarn is as in the photo then you are on the RS and have already worked the WS.
The photo is of a piece which has been cast on differently, maybe a long tail cast on (which seems to be the go to method for a huge number of knitting tutorials and patterns.
I think people from different countries or areas learn their first cast on differently depending on who taught them, of course with so many people learning via the Internet now there will be less of this “area” based learning and much more mixing of styles and methods across the world.
I live in the UK. It took me a while to work out why my knitting was so different to most of what I see online but it’s quite normal for where I am. I also used the cable cast on for all my first projects as that’s what I had been taught by my mum who was taught by her mum and so on. I didn’t see the point in learning a different cast on. I do love how cable cast on looks although now I have a new favourite which is super stretchy so works brilliantly with rib.
Of course just to confuse matters there is also a method of cable cast on for the purl side for patterns where you want that nice edge but are using reverse stockinette for the main fabric… so many different options!
I’ve borrowed this pic from nimble fingers, cable cast on on the right side when knitting , see the nice curved cable at the bottom edge? And the tail is to the left.
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Thank you so much for your reply. I live in UK too and I was taught by my mum.
I’ve looked at long tail cast on and it seems so very complicated.
I shall start a cardigan now. I am in the middle of one which has proved very difficult as it has a raglan.
I am stuck on raglan shaping. I spent 2 hours at my friend’s yesterday and even she couldn’t do it. Do you know how to shape raglan and keep in pattern?
Ah, I recognise this cardigan. You have a thread with help from salmonmac on this and I suggest you continue to ask for help on that thread as salmonmac is extremely experienced and knowledgeable.
I will say that many patterns have a “continue in pattern” whilst also decreasing and this can be really tricky to get to grips with.
One way is to write down how many stitches you lost (bind offs or decreases) from the pattern then count this number of stitches in the pattern wording to see which stitch you are now up to.
Another way is to identify a place in the fabric where you have a full repeat of the patt then count stitches backwards. This might also include placing markers across your row for each repeat as this helps to see, when you have “lost” stitches, how many stitches you need to work before the marker, with the marker indicating the next beginning of a repeat.
In either case if there are not enough stitches at the beginning or end of the row to produce a particular motif (such as the little eyelet pattern) then replace the set pattern with stockinette.
Do keep asking on your other thread though, or post a photo of where you are stuck - you’ll get there!
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Thank you so much. You gave been incredibly helpful. Thank you.
Salmon Mac sent me a reply so I shall take your advice and stick to that thread.
Thank you so much once again.
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You’re very welcome.
I’m so glad I found this forum.
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We’re glad you found us too!
There are at least two ways to work the decreases in pattern. You can count off the number of sts that you’ve decreased and subtract those from the written directions or chart.
The other way which is generally a great technique, reading your knitting. Look at the pattern you’ve set up already and determine what stitch should come next in the current row. I like to leave an edge stitch before a decrease or increase for ease of seaming. You want to continue the pattern and not have it jog over a stitch or two.
This is similar to the methods Creations outlined.
See if you can work a partial repeat of the eyelets before giving up the entire repeat. The ever insightful Patty Lyons has helpful advice here:
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Thank you so so much for the amazing help.
It must be my week- I not only found this forum but….I found a wool shop in a town 5 mins away. Heaven!
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You are indeed a lucky knitter!
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Me too. Couldn’t believe my luck when I came across this forum a couple of years ago. I asked one question and then never left! Such a lovely place. I’ve learned a ton here and it is such a welcoming place and well run too.
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Hi.
This is my 1x1 rib.
I have cart on using cable stitch and I have done one row of rib.
I put a marker to show end of row. Is this the right side? If so, when the pattern tells me to finish RS, the tail and working yarn will be on the left.
Is this correct?
Thanks,
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Sure, call this the RS row completed. The marker is then on the RS of the rib.
You don’t have to be too fussy about RS/WS with rib. Look at the rib and decide which side you prefer as the RS, which stitches you want on the ends if you have a preference for seaming. An extra row of ribbing is almost always just fine in a project. If you’re casting on for cardigan fronts or sleeves or the back and front of a sweater, just make sure that the ribbing matches.
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Thank you so much for your help.
Yep that’s the RS. See that nice cable along the bottom.
I think your pattern said to end WS, maybe the next row of the pattern after the rib is the RS instruction.