The single rib stitch is a versatile knitting technique. Whether you are knitting ribbed sweaters, scarves, or beanies, this technique yields beautiful results. 


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You only need to know how to knit and purl to do the rib stitch. The combination of these two stitches creates a stretchy and flexible material perfect for tighter-fitting finishing touches like necklines and cuffs when knitting items like sweaters or slipovers.

Single rib: How to

  1. Cast on the needed number of stitches.
  2. Alternate between knitting and purling one stitch (k1, p1).
  3. Repeat until you have reached the intended length.
Important! If you are knitting in the round, it is important that you work with an even number of stitches. That way, you will get the characteristic striped look where knit stitches lie on top of knit stitches and purled stitches lie on top of purled stitches. If you work with an uneven number, you will end up creating what is called a moss/seed stitch pattern instead