Material project:

The gauge can be adjusted by changing needle size, without changing the pattern, stitch, yarn, or habits of the knitter. Larger needles produce a smaller gauge, fewer stitches per inch, and smaller needles produce a larger gauge, more stitches per inch. If necessary, further adjustments can be done by cleverly changing the pattern dimensions. Ribbing can also be used to draw in the fabric to the proper gauge.

In knitting, ribbing is a pattern in which vertical stripes of stockinette stitch alternate with vertical stripes of reverse stockinette stitch. These two types of stripes may be separated by other stripes in which knit and purl stitches alternate vertically; such plissé stripes add width and depth to ribbing but not more elasticity.

The number of knit and purl stripes are generally equal and need to be this way. When they are equal, the fabric has no tendency to curl, unlike stockinette stitch. Such ribbing looks the same on both sides.

Ribbing is notated by (number of knit stitches) x (number of purl stitches). Thus, 1x1 ribbing has one knit stitch, followed by one purl stitch, followed by one knit stitch continued.

Ribbing has a strong tendency to contract forming small pleats in which the purl stitches recede and the knit stitches come forward. Ribbing is often used for cuffs, sweater hems and, more generally, any edge that should be form-fitting. The elasticity depends on the number of knit/purl transitions; 1x1 ribbing is more elastic than 2x2 ribbing, etc. However, some cable patterns may "pull in" more than ribbing. In such cases, a ribbed border may flare out instead of contracting.

Slip stitches may be added to increase the depth of the ribbing, and to accentuate the stitches of certain wales. Ribs can be decorated with almost any motif used for a plain knitted fabric, e.g. bobbles, cables, lace, various colours, and so on.

The most common ribbing stitches you will use are:

1X1 rib stitch pattern and what that means is that you knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch all the way across your needle.

2 X 2 ribbing and that means that you knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches all the way across your needle.  2 X 2 ribbing is really a nice stretchy fabric even more than 1 X 1 ribbing.

There is many of ribbing stitch pattern variations you can try as well. An example of this is:

• Knit 3, purl 1
• Knit 4, purl 2 and
• Knit 4, purl 4 

You can be as creative as you like and find one ribbing stitch pattern that works well for you.

When you knit ribbing you knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches stacking them onto each other row by row.

The knit stitch looks like little 'v's and the purl stitches look like bumps.

The yarn is at the back of the work.

Then the the yarn is brought to the front and next stitch is purl. Continuing this creates a rib with this basic stitch. 

Basic Knitting Stitches

GARTER STITCH

This is the most basic stitch and is attained by knitting every row. The result is a flat, reversible, ridged fabric. This stands up well to wear and does not roll at the edges.

When you get to the end of your first row, the full needle is transferred to your left hand and the process starts again of knitting each stitch all over again.

STOCKINETTE STITCH

This is the V-patterned fabric in knitting. Unlike garter stitch, this stitch has a much smoother appearance and a tends to curl at the edges.

Purlwise

When knitting a stitch, the yarn is always held at the back of the work. When a stitch is purled, the yarn is always at the front. In ribbing, when you change from a knit to a purl stitch, ensure that the yarn is in the correct position to work the next stitch. When the yarn is moved from the back to the front, or vice versa, the yarn should go between the two needles, not over them.

 Knitwise

Purlwise

Knit one, purl one (K1, P1) ribbing

Cast on an odd number of stitches. Row 1 (right side) Knit one, *purl one, knit one; repeat from * to end. Row 2 Purl one, *knit one, purl one; repeat from * to end. Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Knit two, purl two (K2, P2) ribbing

Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 extra. Row 1 (right side) Knit two, *purl two, knit two; repeat from * to end. Row 2 Purl two, knit two, purl two; repeat from * to end. Repeat rows 1 and 2.

SEED STITCH

Seed stitch is a textured stitch created by working a sequence of knit and purl stitches which is regularly alternated on every row.

seed stitch

Cast on an even number of stitches. Row 1 (right side) *Knit one, purl one; repeat from * to end. Row 2 *Purl one, knit one; repeat from * to end. Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Double seed stitch

Cast on an even number of stitches. Row 1 (right side) *Knit one, purl one; repeat from * to end. Row 2 Repeat row 1. Row 3 *Purl one, knit one; repeat from * to end. Row 4 Repeat row 3. Repeat rows 1 through 4.

This is the basics to knitting and it has been explained simply so you all can try it out!!!! :D My knitted top has taken in this information in the making of it. Knitting becomes great fun if you follow a few simple rules. Try it out!!!! I hope this has helped you all see things clearer and got you enthusiastic to start. Good Luck!!!!

until next time...

Namaste