In this section you can practise how to combine knit stitches and purl stitches. Make your practise swatch as described below to create some well-known knitted fabrics made from simple combinations of knit stitches and purl stitches in the same row. Use these stitch patterns in the projects in Project Ideas.

 

Buy Knit Knack Knitting Course on CD ROM for just £11.99 full information and video demonstration of this technique.

Rib

 

Rib or ribbing is the name for stitch patterns made by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row. Each stitch that is a knit stitch on the first row is a purl stitch on the next row.
This results in columns of stocking stitch on each side.  It is commonly used as a border to give a tight neat edge for sweaters, cardigans and socks, as well as being a stitch pattern in its own right. 2 variations of simple rib are shown but different combinations are also possible e.g. 3x3, 4x2 etc.

 

 

1x1 Rib

   

 

Cast on 20 stitches

 

The sequence is:

Row : 1st stitch = Knit, 2nd stitch = Purl 
Repeat sequence to the end of the row, i.e. alternating knit and purl stitches.

 

This is how this would appear in a standard knitting pattern:

Row 1 and all following rows:  *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row
 

Continue in 1x1 rib until work measures 10 cm
Cast Off in Rib - see Cast Off/Chain Cast Off/Combining Knit & Purl.

Cut yarn and pass through the remaining stitch and draw tight to secure.
Tidy up loose ends. Make a label.

 

NB: this sequence is correct for an even number of stitches.  Using this sequence if you have an odd number of stitches you will create Moss Stitch.  To produce 1x1 rib with an odd number of stitches, begin Row 2, and all the following alternate rows, with a Purl Stitch.

 

 

2 x 2 Rib

 

Cast on 20 stitches

The sequence is:

Row 1 1st & 2nd stitch=Knit; 3rd & 4th stitch=Purl
Repeat sequence to the end of the row, alternating 2 knit and 2 purl stitches.

 

This is how this would appear in a standard knitting pattern:

Row 1 and all following rows:  *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row

Continue in 2x2 rib until until work measures 10 cm

Cast Off in Rib - see Cast Off/Chain Cast Off/Combining Knit & Purl.

Cut yarn and pass through the remaining stitch and draw tight to secure.
Tidy up loose ends. Make a label.

 

Moss Stitch

 
This is a versatile textured pattern made by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row.  Each stitch that is a knit stitch on the first row is a knit stitch on the next row; each stitch that is a purl stitch on the first row, is a purl stitch on the next row.

 

 

Cast on 20 stitches

The sequence is:

 

Row 1: 1st stitch = Knit, 2nd stitch = Purl 
Repeat sequence to the end of the row, alternating knit and purl stitches

Row 2: 1st stitch = Purl, 2nd stitch = Knit
Repeat sequence to the end of the row, alternating purl and knit stitches

 

This is how this would appear in a standard knitting pattern:

Row 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row
Row 2: *P1, K1; repeat from * to end of row  

 

Continue in moss stitch until work measures 10 cm
Cast Off in moss Stitch (see Cast Off/Chain Cast Off/Combining Knit & Purl

Cut yarn and pass through the remaining stitch and draw tight to secure.
Tidy up loose ends. Make a label.

 

NB: this sequence is correct for an even number of stitches.  Using this sequence if you have an odd number of stitches you will create 1x1 Rib.  To produce moss stitch with an odd number of stitches, begin Row 2, and all the following alternate rows, with a Knit Stitch. 

Andalusian Stitch

A variation of rib made from basic knit and purl stitch that produces a delicately textured pattern

 

 

Cast on 20 Stitches

The sequence is

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: * K1, P1; repeat from * to the end of the row
Row 4: Purl
Start from Row 1 and repeat the sequence 5 times

(20 rows in total) to practise
Cast Off.

Cut yarn and pass through the remaining stitch and draw tight to secure.
Tidy up loose ends. Make a label

 

Roman Stitch

An attractive but simple stitch pattern using knit and purl stitches.  It is a moss stitch ridge in a stocking stitch background.

 

 

Cast on 20 stitches

The sequence is:

Row 1: Knit all the stitches in this row
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: * K1, P1; * repeat from * to the end of the row
Row 6: * P1, K1; * repeat from * to the end of the row

Start from Row 1 and repeat the sequence 5 times

(30 rows in total) to practise

Next Row:   Knit
Cast Off
Cut yarn and pass through the remaining stitch and draw tight to secure.
Tidy up loose ends. Make a label