mistaken rib stitch

Mistaken Rib Stitch is a good alternative to classic rib stitches when you want your knits to lie flat.

And sometimes we just want our knits to look the same on the front and the back. Scarves and afghans come immediately to mind. Neat and tidy. Not so much to ask really, is it?

Garter stitch is the no brainer here. Knit every stitch every row. But you might feel it’s a little “plain.” Ribbing would be the next obvious choice, but it can pull in more than you might want and uses more yarn.

So try Mistaken Rib Stitch!

It has several desirable qualities.

Mistaken Rib

• lies flat
• is reversible
• has a nice texture of knits and purls
• looks more complicated than it really is!

It’s really just a rib stitch gone awry!

Mistaken Rib Stitch
worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 3.

All rows: *Knit 2, purl 2; repeat from *, end knit 2, purl 1.

Try it for some easy summer knitting!

Cast on 27 stitches and work up a quick scarf.

Or try this hat pattern in mistaken rib.

And if you want something even quicker than a scarf or hat, why not try a this Little Hostess Bag? Add some good chocolate or a little bar of hand crafted soap and it’ll make a great hostess gift if you’re on the road visiting friends and family this summer.

Materials

Knit One Crochet Too’s “Italian Ice” (76 yds /50gr; 61% cotton, 26% linen, 13% viscose): 1 ball #1279

Size US10 (6mm) 24” circular knitting needles or size to obtain gauge.

Crochet hook size G

Tapestry needle

Gauge

15 sts and 20 rows = 4” (10cm) in Mistaken Rib stitch pattern.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Bag

Using the cast on of your choice, cast on 19 sts. Work 2 rows in pattern then work eyelet row as follows:

*K2, p2tog, yo; rep from *, end k2, p1.

Continue in pattern until piece measures approximately 6” from eyelet row or until twice desired length and repeat eyelet row. Work 2 more rows in pattern and bind off all stitches on the next row.

Finishing

Darn in all ends. Fold piece over and sew sides together with a back stitch so that edges show or mattress stitch and turn wrong side out. With crochet hook, make a chain for the drawstring approximately 20” long; sew ends together and thread through eyelets.

I love simple patterns that are also reversible. It’s all you need in your knitting go-to for a quick gift and mindless knitting. Works great for quick baby blankets, washcloths, pillows, throws, and on and on! For a few more stitch pattern ideas, check out the links below.

Always a favorite: seed stitch. A beautiful balance of knits and purls. Not the fastest stitch pattern, but very pretty. And ribbing. Lots of variations with ribbing. Fisherman’s Rib is one of my favorites.

The little bag above along with the Gemstone Cowl were the projects for our recent Knitting Monthly. If you’d like to know more about Knitting Monthly, follow the links or post a comment below and I’ll answer!