Purlbed

Hand knitting › Basic fabrics and ribs

1×1 rib

Narrow raised knit columns alternating with sunken purl columns, one stitch each; from a little distance it looks like plain stocking stitch pulled in. Knit 1, purl 1 across the row.

What you work it with

Hand knitting · Tools: Needles one or two sizes smaller than for the body, so the rib grips; elastic wool is best.

Symbol chart

One or two repeats of the stitch pattern, drawn as seen from the right side.
1234Knit on RS, purl on WSPurl on RS, knit on WSRead from the bottom: RS rows (odd) right to left, WS rows (even) left to right.

Steps

  1. Cast on (a stretchy cast-on such as long-tail or tubular).
  2. Row 1: *k1, p1*; repeat to the end.
  3. Next rows: knit the knits and purl the purls as they face you.
  4. Work to the depth you want.
  5. Change to the body needles, or cast off in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls as you cast off).

The full card

What it looks like
Narrow raised knit columns alternating with sunken purl columns, one stitch each; from a little distance it looks like plain stocking stitch pulled in.
How it behaves
Very elastic across; draws in to well below its knitted width and springs back. Does not curl.
How it works
Knit 1, purl 1 across the row. On the next row knit the stitches that face you as knits and purl the ones that face you as purls, so the columns stack.
Tools
Needles one or two sizes smaller than for the body, so the rib grips; elastic wool is best.
Parameters
Flat: an even number of stitches for a k1 start and a p1 end, or an odd number to begin and end with k1. In the round: an even number. Depth: 3–6 cm for cuffs and hems [inference].
Steps
1) Cast on (a stretchy cast-on such as long-tail or tubular). 2) Row 1: *k1, p1*; repeat to the end. 3) Next rows: knit the knits and purl the purls as they face you. 4) Work to the depth you want. 5) Change to the body needles, or cast off in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls as you cast off).
Charting
Read from the right side: each row shows k p k p…; on WS rows work the opposite of the square (a purl square is knitted).
Limits and common problems
A tight cast-off spoils the stretch; cast off in rib, loosely. In wool with no spring (cotton, linen) rib flares instead of gripping; use fewer stitches or a smaller needle [inference].
Combines with
2×2 rib, Stocking stitch (stockinette), 4-stitch cable
Pieces and assembly
Cuffs, hems, necklines and fitted hats. Pick up stitches for a neckband about 3 stitches for every 4 rows of the edge [inference].

Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.

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