When we look for an easy stitch pattern with a small repeat and an interesting texture, supple rib is a great option to consider.
Even though this stitch is based on ribbing and is called a “rib”, it does not behave like a usual ribbing pattern. Thanks to a slightly unusual way to work stitches, supple rib forms a beautiful textured fabric that does not have an excessive ribbing-like stretch and looks great (though not identical) on both sides of the work.
It is one of those “go-to” stitch patterns that work well for any project – socks, mittens, hats, scarves, blankets, sweaters and anything else you decide to make.
With a small three-stitch two-row repeat, this stitch is easy to remember, easy to convert for knitting in the round and easy to use in any project.
Now, that we know how wonderful this stitch pattern is, let’s see how it works row for row.
If you are a visual learner, watch each step in a video tutorial:
WORKING BACK AND FORTH
Cast on a multiple of 3 stitches plus 1 stitch. We need this stitch to make the pattern symmetrical.
To make the swatch featured in this tutorial, I cast on 3 x 3 + 1 = 10 stitches.
ROW 1
This is a row that forms the pattern.
Knit one stitch.
Then work the pattern repeat that starts with that unusual way to work stitches that I mentioned earlier.
First, knit one stitch, but don’t slip it off the left needle yet.
Then bring the yarn to the front of the work and purl the already-knitted stitch together with the next stitch. This time, we slip both stitches off the left needle after we work them.
The last step of the pattern repeat is to knit one stitch.
Work the pattern repeat to the end of the row.
To make it easier to memorize the pattern, I say “knit, don’t slip, knit 2 together, knit 1” as I work across the row. This little mantra is not just helpful in avoiding mistakes, but it is also quite soothing and gets me into a pleasant rhythm of knitting.
ROW 2
This row is super easy – we simply purl all stitches. No unusual ways to work stitches. This is a row when we can relax and purl without worrying about the pattern repeat.
These two rows are all you need to add lovely subtle texture to your projects.
Here’s how this texture looks on one side of the fabric.
And here’s the beautiful texture on the other side of the work. This is the side we see when we work the second row of the pattern repeat. Though this row is technically the wrong side row, the fabric on this side of the work doesn’t look “wrong” at all.
WORKING IN THE ROUND
When we work in the round, we don’t need that extra stitch that balances the pattern repeat. So, we cast on a multiple of three stitches and don’t knit one stitch before the first pattern repeat in round 1.
Because we don’t turn the work when we work in the round, we will knit all stitches in the second round instead of purling them.
In short, the instructions for the supple rib worked in the round are:
Cast on a multiple of 3 stitches.
Round 1: [knit 1, but don’t slip it off the left needle, purl the same stitch together with the next stitch, knit 1], repeat the brackets to the end of the round.
Round 2: knit all stitches.
Repeat these 2 rounds to form the supple rib pattern in your seamless projects.
SAVE IT FOR LATER:
This and 41 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #6.
