But if you’re designing something for yourself, does it matter what kind of ribbing you use? Personal preference plays a big role in what ribbing you choose, but there are some other considerations.
What Is Ribbing?
Ribbing is the general term for any knitting pattern that results in vertical columns of knit and purl stitches. Single Rib or knit 1, purl 1 ribbing is one of the most common types, along with Double Rib or knit 2, purl 2 ribbing, but there are many other options including Slip Stitch Rib, Embossed Moss Stitch Rib, and Mock Cable Rib to name just a few. To some extent, the selection of ribbing comes down to choosing a pattern you like and that will look good on the project you are planning. You’ll also want to choose one that you enjoy knitting. Whichever ribbing pattern you choose, you need to make sure you cast on the proper number of stitches for it. For example:
Single rib (k1, p1) needs a multiple of 2 stitchesDouble rib (k2, p2) needs a multiple of 4 stitchesTriple rib (k3, p3) needs a multiple of 6 stitches
Loose Edges
A common complaint that many people have when working ribbing is that the knit stitches on the left side of a column of rib that contain two or more stitches (like a 2x2 or 3x3 rib, for instance) are often looser than the other stitches. In The Principles of Knitting, June Hemmons Hiatt explains this as being because of the distance the yarn has to travel when switching between a knit and a purl. Thus it can be corrected by making that distance shorter, either by putting lots on tension on the yarn when you move to purl or tightening the purl stitch after knitting it or by working the purl stitches like a combination knitter so less yarn is used to form the stitch. If this is a problem for you, try out these methods and see what works best for you.
Smaller Needles
Knitting patterns for garments, particularly sweaters, often call for the ribbing to be worked on a needle several sizes smaller than what is used for the rest of the sweater. This keeps the ribbing firm and makes it more elastic (for the most part there’s not a big difference in elasticity between the common forms of ribbing). Hiatt says “you can hardly use a needle too small” when knitting ribbing for a garment. “The more stitches there are packed into every inch of the fabric, the more elasticity it will have and the less likely it is that the ribbing will stretch out and lose its resilience with wear.” Good advice.
Twisting Stitches for Elasticity
In Knitting without Tears, knitting expert Elizabeth Zimmermann suggests knitting ribbing with twisted stitches, that is, knitting and purling into the back of stitches, which she says “yields a certain elasticity” but “is not an essential part of knitting.” Hiatt says working two swatches with the same yarn and needles, however, she found that twisted single rib was wider and less resilient than regular single ribbing. So twist the stitches if you want to for looks, but don’t do it to gain elasticity.
