Create the Perfect Bands with the Rib Stitch

Creating the rib stitch

You want your sweaters to have a professional look -- not homemade. To accomplish this, try using rib stitch in place of the garter or stocking stitch. The garter and stocking stitch tend to curl, rib stitch knitting is more elastic.

Follow these simple steps to learn how to rib stitch:

1. After you cast on the required number of stitches, hold your needle with the stitches in your left hand. Hold your empty needle and yarn with your right hand.

2. With the yarn at the back, work the first stitch as a knit stitch.

3. Bring the yarn to the front between the tips of your two needles.

4. Work the next stitch as a purl stitch.

5. Take the yarn to the back between the two needles.

6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 until all the stitches are on your right needle.

7. Swap the needles over so the needle with the stitches on it is in your left hand and the empty needle is in your right hand.

8. If you have an even number of stitches, work the first stitch as a knit stitch and continue across the row in the same manner as before. Work every row the same way.

9. If you had an odd number stitches, work the first stitch as a purl stitch. Take the yarn to the back between the two needles and work the second stitch as a knit stitch. Continue.

10. Work the required number of rows, alternating between starting each row with a knit stitch or a purl stitch.

When using a rib stitch for a band such as a waist or sleeve band, use needles that are one to two sizes smaller than the needles used for the main part of the garment. Be sure and test the tension of the rib by stretch it out slightly to make sure it is elastic enough for your project.

Once you get the hang of the rib stitch, you'll use it on all of your projects that require bands or borders. Simple to do and get professional results every time.