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Fisherman’s Rib and Brioche Stitch: What’s the Difference?

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zipper cowl fisherman's ribThis is a bit of knitting geekery, I’ll admit, but did you know there’s a difference between Fisherman’s Rib and Brioche Stitch? They look pretty much the same, but a different technique is used to make each.

Interweave has an in-depth look at the differences between Fisherman’s Rib and Brioche Stitch.

The short version is that Fisherman’s Rib is typically made by working into the stitch in the row below, while Brioche is worked with a combination of yarn overs and decreases. But there’s a lot more to these amazing squashy fabrics than just that.

Have you ever worked these stitches? I like Fisherman’s Rib because I feel like it’s a little faster, but they’re both great techniques!

[Photo: Interweave.]

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Comments

  1. I love both these stitches, for the way they look and also for knitting them. My only complaint is that they always stretch more width-wise than I remember, so I always have to plan for projects being shorter and wider when done (or longer and narrower while knitting).

Have you read?

Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical. 

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique. 

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead. 

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit. 

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern. 

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like. 

[Photo: Maymade Knits]