Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Easy Knitting Patterns to Practice Ribbing

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Ribbing is often used as an edging on projects worked with other stitches, like the brim of a hat or the cuff of a sleeve.

But sometimes it’s fun to let ribbing take center stage in a project. It’s easy to knit and give a nice graphic element to any project. It’s also stretchy, squishy and warm. Let’s take a look at some ribbing knitting patterns that bring this stitch to center stage.

A scarf is always a good place to start. This ribbed scarf pattern from Purls and Pixels uses 1×1 ribbing so it almost looks like a solid stockinette fabric. You will definitely get comfortable with switching between knits and purls as you work this pattern! And of course you can use any ribbing combination you like in a scarf pattern; just make sure you have the right number of stitches so the pattern ends where it will be reversible (1×1 ribbing works on multiples of 2, while 2×2 works on multiples of 4, for example).

Purl Soho has a sweet ribbed hat, which is a classic design. They’re easy to knit, comfy to wear, work for everyone and you can knit it extra long to make a foldover brim or keep it slouchy. This one is worked in 1×1 ribbing and sized from baby to large adult.

How about a nice pair of ribbed socks? Allover ribbing makes socks super stretchy and helps them hug your foot. The DRK Everyday sock from Andrea Mowry uses ribbing everywhere but the toe. They’re worked in sock yarn and come in 11 sizes to fit babies through large men. You can get the pattern on Ravelry.

The contrasting colors on the Ribbing Please shawl by Stephen West make it look more complicated than it is, but the stitch pattern here is ribbing, too. The sample uses a collection of DK and worsted weight yarns and is worked in 2×2 ribbing. You can get this pattern on Ravelry.

Ribbing isn’t just for accessories; how about a whole top made out of ribbing? The Night and Day Racerback top from Thorson Knits uses a pretty 2X1 rib and superfine yarn. It comes in 9 sizes up to about a 62 inch bust measurement and has about 4 inches of positive ease. You can get the pattern on Etsy.

Have You Tried This? Ribbing with No Purling

A Little Ribbed Tank Knitting Pattern

Ribbing is a versatile and interesting knitting technique that can add texture and interest to your projects.

These easy knitting patterns are a great starting point for practicing ribbing and incorporating it into your knitting projects. From scarves to headbands and even a purse, these patterns offer a variety of options for you to explore and practice the technique of ribbing.

Happy knitting!

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.