Learn All About Ribbing (+ a Free Pattern to Try)

It might sound weird to you, but one of my favorite knitting stitch patterns is ribbing. I find it kind of fun to knit, because it feels mechanical after a while and I don’t really have to think about it, but it makes a texture that’s more interesting than stockinette stitch.

Over at Our Daily Craft I recently wrote a giant post all about knitting ribbing that includes most of what I know on the subject. There’s a fun variation on the cable cast on that is perfect for using with ribbing, tips on how to follow the stitch pattern, binding off in pattern and more.

I even talk about everyone’s least favorite part of knitting ribbing, which is what to do when you have to increase or decrease in ribbing (short answer: it’s going to mess up your pattern but it will also be OK).

I also share a few of my favorite ribbing patterns, because of course it doesn’t have to be knit 1, purl 1 or knit 2, purl 2 all the time. (In fact my favorite is probably 3×3. I find it super fun and love the texture of the fabric.)

You can check out the post all about ribbing here.

And if you’re ready to try an allover ribbed project yourself, check out my ribbed cowl knitting pattern. This one is fun because it starts out being knit flat and ends up in the round, so it opens up over your shoulder for easy wearing but is snuggly as a turtleneck at the top.

This one uses worsted weight yarn and is pretty quick and easy to knit. It’s a good one to try if you’ve never done a project in the round because you don’t have to worry about twisting the cast on since you’ll have already knit flat for several inches before you join. (Of course you could work the whole thing flat and make a seam where you want it to be closed, but knitting in the round is easier.)

Do you have a favorite rib stitch? I’d love to hear about it!

Practice Ribbing with this Hat and Mitt Set

Have You Tried This? Ribbing with No Purling

Next Pattern:

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a fluffy little baby hat, isn’t there? The Baby Twizzler Hat over on CraftBits is one of those sweet, simple baby knitting patterns that feels very much like the kind of project you could whip up for a baby shower, a new grandbaby, or that “I just need something cute and quick on my needles” moment.

This free baby hat knitting pattern is sized for around 9–12 months and uses chunky, textured fashion yarn to give it that soft, whimsical look. Think candy floss, powder-puff baby yarn, and all those lovely fluffy skeins we buy because they feel irresistible in the yarn aisle — and then later wonder what on earth we are going to make with them. This hat is exactly the sort of project those skeins were waiting for.

What I like about this pattern is that it doesn’t try to overcomplicate things. Baby knits do not always need cables, lace charts, or three cups of coffee and a quiet house to understand them. Sometimes the yarn does most of the work, and this is one of those patterns. The texture gives the hat personality, while the construction stays approachable.

If you are fairly new to knitting baby items, this is a nice little project to practise shaping without committing to a full garment. A baby hat is small enough to finish quickly, which is always encouraging, especially if you are knitting for a deadline. We have all had that “the baby shower is tomorrow and I have three ends still dangling” situation, haven’t we?

The pattern pairs beautifully with the matching Baby Twizzler Poncho, so if you want to turn this into a proper handmade baby gift set, that would be a very cute combination. A matching hat and poncho always feels more special than a single item, and it makes a lovely keepsake gift without needing to knit an entire baby wardrobe.

For yarn, look for a soft baby-friendly fluffy or textured yarn that is gentle enough for little heads. Mary Maxim often has lovely baby yarn options and beginner-friendly knitting supplies, and Amazon is handy for grabbing size 6mm knitting needles if your needle stash has mysteriously swallowed that one size you actually need. Mine does this regularly, usually when I am already sitting down with a cup of tea.

This would also be a sweet stash-busting project if you have leftover novelty or fashion yarn from older baby projects. Just make sure the yarn is soft, washable, and comfortable against baby skin. Babies are not known for politely tolerating scratchy handmade gifts.

If you enjoy knitting small baby gifts, you might also like browsing more free knitting patterns on CraftBits, especially if you are putting together handmade baby shower gifts or quick charity knits. And for another sweet baby-themed project, the Baby Feet Cloth free knitting pattern would make a lovely little extra tucked into a gift basket with this hat.

The Baby Twizzler Hat is a charming, quick baby knitting pattern with a soft vintage feel. It is simple, giftable, and a nice reminder that sometimes the prettiest handmade baby pieces are the ones made with one ball of yarn, a pair of needles, and a bit of love.

Best for: quick baby shower gifts, beginner-friendly baby knitting, stash yarn projects, and matching handmade baby sets.
Skill level: beginner to confident beginner.
Why we like it: it is fast, fluffy, sweet, and perfect for using those soft textured yarns hiding in the stash.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?