How to Knit the Ribbon Stitch
Instructions for knitting flat and in the round.
Terms:
k = knit p = purl sl = slip sts = stitches rep = repeat
Term Abbreviations are explained at the end of this post.
Two Color Pattern: Multiple of 4 + 3
Images of Knitted Design
Pattern is 4 stitches by 10 rows.
Start Pattern:
Row 1, Color A: knit.
Row 2, Color A: purl.
Row 3, Color B: k1, *sl1, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl1, k1.
Row 4, Color B: p1, *sl1, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl1, p1.
Row 5, Color A: knit.
Row 6, Color A: purl.
Row 7, Color B: k3 *sl1, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 8, Color B: p3 *sl1, p3; rep from * to end.
Row 9 & 10, Color B: rep rows 7 & 8.
Repeat these 10 rows until desired length is reached.
Finish last 2 rows as rows 1 and 2. Bind off. Weave in all loose yarn ends.
Four Color Pattern: Multiple of 4 + 3
Images of Knitted Design
Pattern is 4 stitches by 20 rows.
Start Pattern:
Row 1, Color A: knit.
Row 2, Color A: purl.
Row 3, Color B: k1, *sl1, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl1, k1.
Row 4, Color B: p1, *sl1, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl1, p1.
Row 5, Color A: knit.
Row 6, Color A: purl.
Row 7, Color C: k3 *sl1, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 8, Color C: p3 *sl1, p3; rep from * to end.
Row 9 & 10, Color C: rep rows 7 & 8.
Rows 11 – 16: Repeat the first 6 rows once.
Row 17, Color D: k3 *sl1, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 18, Color D: p3 *sl1, p3; rep from * to end.
Row 19 & 20, Color D: rep rows 7 & 8.
Repeat these 0 rows until desired length is reached.
Finish last 2 rows as rows 1 and 2. Bind off. Weave in all loose yarn ends.
Two Color Pattern Knit in the Round: Multiple of 4
Images of Knitted Design
Pattern is 4 stitches by 9 rows.
Start Pattern:
Round 1, Color A: knit.
Round 2, Color A: rep row 1.
Round 3, Color B: *sl1, k3; rep from * to end.
Round 4, Color B: rep row 3.
Round 5, Color A: knit.
Round 6, Color A: rep row 5.
Round 7, Color B: k2, sl1 *k3 sl1; rep from * to the last stitch, k1.
Round 8 -9, Color B: rep row 7.
Repeat these 9 rows until desired length is reached.
Once desired length is reached, finish last 2 rows as rows 1 and 2. Bind off. Weave in all loose yarn ends.
I have two patterns that use a modified version of this stitch, both are knit in the round. If you are interested in checking out the patterns, click the image links below:
Term Abbreviations:
Asterisks: are used in this pattern to indicate repetition of a sequence of stitches. For example when you see *k1, p2; rep from * to end. This means knit 1 stitch, purl 2 stitches, repeat those 3 stitches until you reach the end of the row.
Multiples: some patterns require a certain number of stitches to form a complete pattern, the number of stitches cast on the needle must be divisible by this number. In the beginning of the pattern when stated multiples of 5, this means to cast on a number that 5 can go into, such as 10, 15 or 20, you get to choose the number depending on what it is you are making. If a pattern asks for a multiple of 3 + 1 this means you cast on a number that 3 can go into, then add 1 additional stitch, for example of you want to use 9 as your multiple of 3 you would cast on 9 stitches then add 1 stitch for a total of 10 stitches to start the pattern.
k = knit and p = purl: k & p are abbreviations that describe the detailed working of the pattern. For example; k1, p4, k2 written in a pattern means you knit 1 stitch, then purl 4 stitches, then knit 2 stitches.
sl = slip: this abbreviation means you transfer the stitch from the left hand needle on to the right hand needle without knitting it, then you follow the directions for the next stitch. For example; sl1, k1 written in a pattern means you slip the first stitch from the left hand needle on to the right hand needle without knitting it, then knit the next stitch.
sts = stitches rep = repeat
sl1, k3 = slip 1, knit 3; slip the first stitch from the right hand needle to the left hand needle, knit the next 3 stitches.
Changing Colors:
When ready to change colors, drop the first color and start knitting with the new color, leave a 6” yarn tail for weaving in later. When switching between colors, bring the new color up along the side. You can also cut the yarn after each color change row, but then you will have to weave in all ends, and for the 2 color pattern, it is barely visible that the yarn is being drawn up the side and I would recommend drawing the yarn up along the side. However, when using 4 colors, I would cut the yarn when knitting as a flat stitch, as it will be more visible on the sides if you do not cut the yarn after each knit row.
