How to knit the 1×1 rib stitch

A step by step tutorial on knitting a 1×1 rib stitch for beginners. How to knit it, how to decrease and how to cast off ribbings

You are wondering how to knit a 1×1 rib, right? Well, then you came to the right place. In this tutorial, I am going to show you everything you need to know to start knitting the most basic ribbing. Further down, I’ll also talk about the best bind off method for this versatile patter and how to decrease stitches. So, let’s dive right into it!

So, what is a 1×1 rib in knitting?

It’s an easy pattern where you alternate knit and purl stitches across all rows. It has a simple two-row repeat. Of all the rib stitch patterns, this is the most basic one and perfect for beginners. It adds both structure and elasticity to your work. It’s perfect for hems that need to be a little bit stretchy or for hats. The 1×1 rib stitch is a reversible pattern and looks a lot like a Stockinette Stitch when not stretched out.

Step by Step: How to knit The 1×1 Rib Stitch

The standard rib stitch has a 2-row repeat. Since both sides look identical, you don’t need to worry about starting on the right or the wrong side.

Here’s the repeat how it will be listed in knitting patterns:

Let’s do it step by step:

Step 1: Knit the first stitch. So, insert the needle from left to right, wrap the yarn around your needles counter-clockwise and pull through. (In case you need to catch up, here’s my detailed knit stitch tutorial).

Step 2: Purl the second stitch. Insert the needle from right to left, wrap the yarn around your needles counter-clockwise, and pull through. (Here’s a more detailed explanation for the purl stitch.)

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 + 2 until you reach the end of the row.

Step 4: Turn the work. And continue switching between knit and purl stitch.

From here on, you knit all stitches the way the appear. So, if there’s a knit stitch on your needles you knit it, and if there’s a purl stitch, you purl it. Here’s a little chart for you, so you can easily see the difference.

Once you know how to identify these stitches, you can easily knit the 1×1 rib with an odd number of stitches as well. Then the repeat would look like this:

How to decrease a 1×1 rib stitch

Some patterns, especially hats, require you to decrease stitches. For the rib stitch, the k2tog (knit two together) is perfect and probably the most invisible decrease. You only have to take care, that you always start your decreases with the purl stitches, and then you knit two knit stitches together.

So, your first row will look like this: K1,P1,K1,P1,K1,P1… etc. So, this is the way I recommend you to decrease a rib stitch:

If you start your k2tog with a purl stitch, then the knit stitch will always lie on top and this will look much neater. There two ways to proceed from here.

a) You can either close all purl stitches so the top looks like stockinette stitch. In this case, you would knit row 3 above like “k1, P1, K1, K2tog”

b) Or you can single ribs one by one (my preferred method)

Note: I leave it to you and your pattern to find the right spot to start decreasing. This was just an example. Try to space the decreases out evenly for round objects like a hat. Make sure to start on the right side of the work.

How to cast off 1×1 rib stitch

The standard cast off is perfect for a 1×1 rib stitch. Unlike other ribbings, you don’t need a special stretchy bind off. 1×1 ribs are only moderately elastic. There’s no need for a yarn over bind off or a back loop bind of in my opinion. You should try to cast off the stitches a bit looser than regular, though. So, pull on the loops a bit as you knit and lift them.

Also, make sure to cast off all stitches as they appear. So, you purl all purl stitches before you lift them over the next stitch, etc. Don’t knit all stitches in the bind-off row.

Cast on recommendations

The standard long tail cast on is perfect for the rib stitch as it’s elastic enough to support the rest of the fabric. Consider casting on with two needles to add a little bit of extra stretchiness. The single cast on can sometimes be a bit too rigid for this pattern.

What you really should consider for a pattern like this is learning how to cast on purl stitches. So, if you want a super neat cast on edge, you’d have to alternate between casting on purl and knit stitches. The standard longtail cast on only creates knit stitches.

How to knit a 1×1 rib in the round

Knitting a 1×1 rib in the round couldn’t be easier. The repeat is the same. It’s still:

The only thing you need to know is that you cannot knit a rib in the round with an uneven number of stitches. You always need to cast on multiples of 2. Otherwise, the pattern won’t work out and you’ll end up with an extra-large rib at end of your round.

So, that’s it. This was my 1×1 rib stitch tutorial. I hope I was able to help you along. Make sure to comment with your success stories and feel free to ask any questions.