If you know how to knit and purl, then you can make a textured pattern called single rib, or “knit one purl one”. k1p1 single rib Single rib is a stretchy piece of knitting often used for cuffs and hems. To make single rib you will knit one stitch, then purl the next stitch, and repeat to the end of the row. I have included a little tutorial below on how to knit rib pattern. These are very basic instructions to help new knitters. How to change from a knit to a purl stitch in the middle of a row To make single rib, you need to alternate from knitting to purling stitches during a row. So how do you do this? You have probably noticed that when you knit stitches the yarn is always at the back of the work (behind the knitting) and when you purl stitches the yarn is at the front of the work. So...
Here is how you do this: After working a knit stitch the yarn is at the back of the work. To purl the next stitch, bring the yarn to the front between the tips of the two needles. Now purl the next stitch. To knit the next stitch take the yarn to the back of the work between the tips of the two needles. Then knit the next stitch, and repeat the sequence above to the end of the row. Recognising knit and purl stitches When working in rib stitches, sometimes the pattern will tell you to “knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches”. So here is what they look like before you work the row.
Single rib on an even number of stitches You can make single rib on any number of stitches; it can be odd or even. This is the pattern for an even number of stitches: Row 1: *(k1, p1), rep. from * to end of row. Repeat row 1 until you have reached the desired length or number of rows. Single rib on an odd number of stitches If you are working on an odd number of stitches, the pattern alters slightly: Row 1: *k1, p1; rep. from * to last stitch, k1 Row 2: p1; *k1, p1; rep. from * to end of row. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have reached the desired length or number of rows. Note that row 2 is different for an odd number of stitches, so that you are knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches on every row. Double rib k2p2 Double rib is just a thicker version of single rib. To make double rib, you will knit 2, purl 2. Double rib pattern is usually worked on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 stitches (for example, cast on 14 stitches which is 4 stitches x 3, plus 2 additional stitches). To make double rib: Row 1: *k2, p2, rep. from * to last 2 stitches, k2 Row 2: p2, *k2, p2, rep. from * to end of row Repeat rows 1 and 2. Create your own rib pattern You can combine any number of knit or purl stitches to make your rib pattern (for example knit 3, purl 2). Experiment with any combination, just remember to knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches on each row.
23 Comments
Jan
5/25/2015 07:13:49 am
I'm a little stuck. Could you tell me what this means?
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Amanda Berry
5/25/2015 04:34:54 pm
You repeat the piece written in between the brackets, so you will purl the first stitch, then do k1 p1 to the end of the row
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Virginia
1/26/2016 04:24:43 pm
In a k1 p1 I couldn't find out if you started out with a k1 on the 2nd row would you start with a p1 & you showed that you did. I think
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Christy
5/30/2015 02:06:04 pm
I am a beginner & have a dishcloth pattern I am working on. The directions say to:
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Amanda
5/30/2015 05:34:11 pm
Hi, without knowing what pattern you are working on I would suggest you just follow your pattern directions. It is likely that you are working a combination of knits and purls to create a different texture pattern. Otherwise, you could get in touch with the pattern designer to ask for help.
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Amy Ayers
8/16/2015 08:35:28 am
*K1,P1*. Repeat from * to * to end of row.
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Amanda Berry
8/16/2015 08:43:01 am
Amy, the instructions for working an odd number of stitches are included in the post, so I have copied them again for you in case you didn't see them ... here you are . .....
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Nik
8/23/2015 11:57:06 pm
Thank you so much! I have been stuck for days trying to figure this out for my first sock pattern. I was missing the bit about moving the yarn between stitches!
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Salma
9/10/2015 02:54:04 am
pls tell me what the pattern means which I just posted
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Amanda
9/10/2015 03:45:47 am
If the pattern tells you to repeat rows 1 to 4 then do just that.
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emilie godfrey
10/11/2015 08:27:45 am
this website was a little bit helpful for my daughter because she is knitting a poncho and she doesn't get it
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Louise
11/3/2015 03:04:00 am
Thank you so much for your brilliantly clear instructions. I'm a very basic knitter (at present!) and find lots of instructions explain the first few steps in excessive detail and rush through the critical steps really fast. Thank you for taking the time to help us newbies, it's very kind of you.
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Faith
12/29/2016 05:45:57 pm
I completely agree with this person. Thank you so much!
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Catherine White
11/9/2015 11:31:54 am
Thanks a lot. think I ca knit l, pearl l now. Going to give it a try.
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Fairycakes100
12/30/2015 05:29:14 pm
Thank you so much for this. I'm ready to progress to mixing knit and purl on the same row and this is brilliantly clear.
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Jen Olsen
4/2/2016 11:11:42 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been struggling with K1, P1 since I learned to purl a few weeks ago. Your tutorial is the first I have been able to understand easily and follow through with to successfully create a rib! This will move me to another level and I appreciate the time and effort you have taken to make this tutorial clear to beginners!
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Kate
4/21/2016 05:03:46 am
Hi Amanda thanks so much for a well written tutorial with very helpful pics! I came across your site when I googled k1 p1 as I couldn't figure out how to stop the yarn winding around the needles. I have now bookmarked your site - I have knitted farm animals by Sarah Keen's patterns and am looking for new inspiration - I have found it at your wonderful website!! I think I'll be a regular visitor! Thankyou :)
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judgepax
6/24/2016 12:58:06 pm
Thank you from the Newbie! Best image I've found to explain the "look" of knit stitches vs purl bumps. Also you explained, in a way I can understand, the infuriating direction of “knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches”.
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Melissa
1/1/2017 09:27:16 am
Thank you so much Amanda!!! I've been struggling with this for about two months and couldn't find anything online to help me. I wasn't bringing the yarn to the front or the back when switching between knits and purls. The stitches were getting all twisted, now I can actually do this pattern!! Perfect explanation for a beginner knitter :) Thank you again!!!
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brand new knitter; assistance with striped baby blanket
3/17/2020 07:55:43 pm
my instructions are as follows:
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Amanda Berry
3/18/2020 02:43:30 am
Your pattern should tell you how many stitches to cast on before row 1, or give you the finished size and tension information. Perhaps you can email me a copy of the pattern to [email protected] and I will see if I can help?
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PV
7/13/2020 03:13:06 pm
While I still have a ways to go to perfect my knit/purl switch stitching for this pattern , yours is the only website that explained this technique clearly. I watched many videos aside from this website and my changing stitches (K to P and back), always bunched up into an indeterminable cluster!
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Karen
1/12/2021 01:02:47 pm
This has been so helpful thank you! Been struggling watching videos on k1,p1 and just not getting it until I read your tutorial!
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