I have been kept away from blogging for the last few months as I have been finishing my second year at University, but now the summer break is here I am keen to pick up my unfinished knitting projects, and share some tips and patterns.
My first project is finishing a chunky scarf for winter. The scarf is knitted using fisherman’s rib, which creates a densely ribbed stretchy fabric often used for chunky knitted sweaters and scarves.
Like most ribbed knitting patterns, this uses a combination of knit one purl one, but instead of a normal knit stitch you knit into the stitch below, and I thought this was an ideal opportunity to share a tutorial on how to do this stitch.
If you would prefer an easier to print pdf copy of this tutorial, just pop over to my “free for you” page.
To make the scarf, you will need:
- 5 ½ mm knitting needles
- Patons Aran or similar chunky yarn
Finished size:
- The scarf is approximately 28 cm wide. Each 100g skein makes about 19cm length, so I hope that the 5 skeins I have in my stash will make a short scarf about 90cm long.
Knitting pattern:
Cast on 36 stitches
Row 1: purl all stitches
Row 2: (p1, knit into the stitch below), repeat to last 2 stitches, p2
Repeat row 2 until your scarf is the desired length
Cast off in p1, k1 pattern (regular knit stitch here, not knitting the stitch below), cut the yarn and weave in your ends.
How to knit into the stitch below:
(the instructions are for right-handed knitters)
After the purl stitch, take the yarn to the back of the work, as it would be if you were going to knit the next stitch. Insert the right needle into the space below the stitch on the left needle, as shown by the arrow below.
Knit the stitch as normal, wrapping the yarn around the right needle and pulling the loop through.
Then allow the stitch to fall off the left needle.
The reason this rib is so chunky is because you have 2 stitches around this stitch, which you can see from the back of the knitting here.
I love this project because it is so easy to pick up and put down: I can do a couple of rows now and then without having to check where I am in the pattern as every row is the same. Hopefully I will be able to finish my scarf over the summer break and share some pics of the finished piece.
Happy knitting!
Thank you for the pattern and the great tutorial! This is the first time I have clearly understood knitting in the stitch below. Your photos clearly show exactly the steps for the stitch. Your wording is clear and easily understood. I am so glad I am on your email list! Looking forward to more tips, tutorials and projects.
Mary Beaty: January 19, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Just wanted to say thank you for the above “Fisherman’s rib pattern: loved it and am very appreciative of finding a web site that came to my rescue. Very clear instructions and photos. Cant thank you enough. So very grateful and looking forward to joining you.
Hi- especially come back to the site to thank you for your time and generosity to share this tutorial. I have read a few others on web but still cant get it until i was here. I have started a few inches now, it came out perfectly except the tension of the loops varies somehow, yet i am sure it will get better soon after some practice. thank you once again.
Thank you so much! Have a super day, and happy knitting!
I too tried it and will soon finish the scarf on time to give it as an Easter present.Thanks.Look forward for more simple patterns.