This has been the most helpful tutorial for tidy rib stitching. I have been struggling and tried and tried to make this better with the English style of knitting (throwing) . I knew tension was the problem and this nailed it! Thank you!!!!!!!!
Hi Suzanne, I just wanted to thank you for your time and all the effort you put into preparing and recording your videos. I owe so much of my improvement as a knitter to you. I love how clearly you explain things and that you include demonstrations of how certain techniques affect the stitches by taking them off the needles. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are a wonderful teacher!
sorry to be so off topic but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I would love any help you can give me.
@Rhett Keagan i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
Thank you Suzanne for the techniques! I frogged my 2x2 rib three times because the tension was terrible. Then I tried the alternating wrap method and it looks so much better. 💕
Hi Suzanne, I have been having a complete nightmare with K2P2 ribbing both flat and in the round recently, however today I knit a swatch and used your first technique to take the slack out of the yarn between the second knit and the first purl and it’s been a total game changer. Thank you so much ♥️
Thank you for posting again this beautiful video. I love it very much colour and I want to tell wish you Happy 2022 New Year 🎄🎄🍷🍷😊 love from. Ankara Turkey 🇹🇷
Hi Suzanne, just want to say how much I appreciate you doing your examples in throwing style too. It still is the knitting style I return to when I want relaxed knitting, though I understand and sometimes practice the continental style.
Hi Suzanne, Thank you for all your great videos. I have been doing your technique for the knit stitch before a purl and definitely see an improvement. My problem is the knit stitch following the purl looks very sloppy and loose. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Please help.
Thank you so much for the detailed demonstration. I'm finding that its the opposite for me. My current project has a k11, p1, k1tbl (or slip 1 every other row), p1, k11, pattern. And every first knit to the left of the purl is very loose.
Hello Suzanne, I’ve just found your channel, you explained really clearly, as a lefty and thrower knitter, I was chuffed to see you explain the difference between both techniques. So I have subscribed to your channel. Thank you from London, England. Keep safe and be lucky 💞💞💞
Helpful video, thank you! I would like to know if I can knit a top down cardigan reglan sleeve with the ribbing of the neckline all in one piece , so there won't be needs to pick up stitches for the front ribbing after the cardigan is done. I greatly appreciate it, for a reply or a video about this. Thank you!
It is possible to do, but, I have found from experience that the neck will stretch out of shape very easily. The structure of the cast on gives some stability to the neck. I hope this helps you
Hi, thank you for sharing this technique. It is helping for the knit stitch before the purl to be tighter/neater, but I’m finding the purl stitch is loose. Is there any way to fix this?
Thank you for showing us these techniques! As you mentioned, many patterns have you decrease before starting ribbing or go down a needle size. How do these techniques compare to that outcome? Are there situations where one would be more appropriate than the other?
I like using the alternative wrap method but have found that it’s not as workable when the pattern includes traveling cables. If you work an alternative wrap on the back side and then want to cable with that stitch on the front side, you have to reset the stitch before cabling. Thanks for your great videos.
QUESTION: I have knit a vest bottom up and I am not happy with the bottom ribbing and would like to redo it using your methods. I am not sure where to begin. I have thought about the options. Note the ribbing is in a different coloured yarn than the body, I am not sure if that will influence my choice of methods to modify it. 1) I could pick up stitches in the body just above the ribbing. Then cu the stitches below that point. I could then join the body yarn and knit down a few rows. How would my stitches look where they meet the stitches that were knit bottom up? Could I use a different stitch for these few rows, perhaps garter stitch or reverse stockinette? If I choose this method I would then re-knit the ribbing using your method. My other option would be to unravel the ribbing from the bottom of the sweater until I reach the body. I could then put the body stitches on hold. I would then re-knit the ribbing and finish with a couple of rounds of the body colour and stockinette stitch. At that point I could graft onto the existing body. I am not very well practised with Kitchener stitch so it might be daunting for me to graft that many stitches at one time.
The solution is simple. As you say, you can pick up stitches along the bottom of the body, then cut off the ribbing. Then simply knit down in the ribbing pattern and bind off. Try this on a swatch first. I think you will be surprised at how easy it is.
Could you just do both purl stitches with the clockwise wrap through the back and have good results? Would it affect the stretch or recovery do you think? I love how your video is so clear by the way!
I would try it on a swatch. In my experience, it is the transition from knit to purl that makes the difference. There really isn't a transition from a purl to a purl. But try it and see what you think. It very well may work for you.
@@SuzanneBryan thank you for your reply! I had just been working on some ribbing and was trying out different ways to purl- as that is my weak point. I am a new knitter and was teaching myself continental as I am a crocheter . Then I realized I was doing it “wrong”. And surprisingly I couldn’t manage the movement of bending my finger for purling counter clockwise, and actually found it much more comfy to keep my finger down and use the Norwegian style for knit stitch. So easy! But have never mastered the purl! The ribbing I did seemed less “springy” to me. But I don’t know if it was because of the stitch, or the yarn. Or maybe being able to do clockwise purls through the back loop was just so much easier for me I loosened up my stitches lol!
Thanks for the tips, Suzanne. Q: The 1x1 ribbed brim of my hats are stretching out after one wear. I’m not a loose knitter. Apart from looking very nice, will these techniques ensure the rib will bounch back? I use the pattern’s recommended 3.25mm needle, either longtail CO or alt. cable CO, with 4ply (sportweight) non superwashed yarn. I can’t seem to find vids on how to best prevent stretching out on hat brims. Aside from trying your technique, would going down to say a 3mm be a good idea?
Hi Suzanne. I tried the methods you described, but am finding that it loosens my purl stitch quite a lot resulting in ladders. This is primarily with the wrap clockwise method. Do you know what i might be doing wrong? Also, should the tension on that purl stitch be made with the yarn in front or in back (feel like I've tried both though). Thanks in advance! 😊
@@SuzanneBryan thanks for your quick reply! :-D unfortunately, that did not remedy the problem either... the purl is looser no matter what i try, and i am in general a tight knitter. do you have any idea what might be causing the loosening?
There is another possibility that is happening. Since you mention that you are a tight knitter, it may be that your knits are too tight, not that your purls are too loose. Carefully watch your fingers while you are knitting and purling and examine what you are doing. Loosening up your knits may be the solution.
Just wondering on all the samples did you use "regular" method & then change to the tidy method or were the samples other tgan the first one done all w the tidy method? I ask because the samples all seem to REALLY pull in so that they are concave in the middle
What a great observation. The reason they pull in, is because below the ribbing is a Stockinette section (like a sleeve, with the ribbing being the cuff). The Stockinette holds the ribbing out, until the ribbing is long enough to contract in as it should do. The top portion is wider as it is still on the needle and can not contract in as ribbing should, because the needle it holding the stitches in a straight position. You are very observant. The whole portion of ribbing was worked tidy. Happy Holidays.
Hi Suzanne! I’m finding that it’s the first knit stitch after a purl that is loose in the 3x3 ribbing I’m doing - what should I do to prevent this? I can’t twist the first knit stitch and the three purl stitches seem to be at the correct tension as on the reverse they make a perfectly even column of knit stitches. So frustrating! Thank you!
@@TheSmallestTadpole I have exactly the same issue with K2 P2 ribbing - the first knit stitch is looser, and the purls are fine because the reverse of the fabric is much neater. I also knit Continental (although am relatively new to that method, having knit English for many years) and have tried all sorts to fix it but it’s still happening 🤷♀️
Yes it is. But, the point here is that by changing the yarn direction at specific points, you can make the stitch that it is associated with tighter. That is the issue here. Just give it a try and see what you think.
Yes, I understand some transitions use more yarn than others, including transitions from knits to purls and some yarn overs. I’ve watched most of your videos (over 90%). Combination style knitting performs the same operation with less concentration due to muscle memory and does so more ergonomically which is why I said I found it easier.
Very true. That is why I like continental vs throwing as well. Just a lot let motion going on overall. I have several combination knitter friends and I admire their work. Happy knitting. Have you joined my group on Ravelry? One of my moderators is a combination knitter. You would like her. Knitting with Suzanne Bryan - www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-with-suzanne-bryan
@@SuzanneBryan I knit combination style and my ribbing looks terrible in the round. I find wrapping the yarn counterclockwise (standard continental) extremely unergonomic and painful. But my first column of knit stitches looks so loose and sloppy. Do you have any tips to counteract this? All the advice I see on the internet, including this video, is for counteracting the sloppy second column of knit stitches, but I have the opposite problem because I'm a combination knitter.
![10 viral knitting techniques [you've never seen before!]](/img/n.gif)
I've knitted all my life and had no idea about this technique! Thank you Suzanne.
You are so welcome, Lena! 😊
Great tutorial!
This has been the most helpful tutorial for tidy rib stitching. I have been struggling and tried and tried to make this better with the English style of knitting (throwing) . I knew tension was the problem and this nailed it! Thank you!!!!!!!!
This is so wonderful to hear, Michelle, I love success stories! Thanks for the great feedback and thanks for watching! ❤️
Thank you Suzanne! You are so useful to me!! Many greatings from Italy!!!😘😘😘😘
You are so welcome, Olivia! Saluti dalla California, Stati Uniti! 😘❤️
You’re terrific! This is the best tip and you explain it so well. Thank you so much.
Thanks will try this method.
Wonderful, Ellen! You are very welcome! 😊
Hi Suzanne, I just wanted to thank you for your time and all the effort you put into preparing and recording your videos. I owe so much of my improvement as a knitter to you. I love how clearly you explain things and that you include demonstrations of how certain techniques affect the stitches by taking them off the needles. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are a wonderful teacher!
Wow, thank you!
sorry to be so off topic but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account?
I was dumb forgot the password. I would love any help you can give me.
@Harvey Armani Instablaster =)
@Rhett Keagan i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Rhett Keagan it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thank you so much you really help me out!
Thank you Suzanne for the techniques! I frogged my 2x2 rib three times because the tension was terrible. Then I tried the alternating wrap method and it looks so much better. 💕
That's wonderful to hear, Liz! ❤️
Hi Suzanne, I have been having a complete nightmare with K2P2 ribbing both flat and in the round recently, however today I knit a swatch and used your first technique to take the slack out of the yarn between the second knit and the first purl and it’s been a total game changer. Thank you so much ♥️
ShelaghAnn, I'm thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much for the great feedback! 😍
Hi Suzanne Thank you for all your videos much appreciated
I wish I could knit like you beauitful work and easy to follow videos
You are so sweet to say this, Karen, thank you! ❤️
Very well illustrated
Thank you for posting again this beautiful video. I love it very much colour and I want to tell wish you Happy 2022 New Year 🎄🎄🍷🍷😊 love from. Ankara Turkey 🇹🇷
Thank you so much, Vecky and Happy New Year!! I really appreciate you watching my videos and I love to hear from you! ❤️
Hi Suzanne, just want to say how much I appreciate you doing your examples in throwing style too. It still is the knitting style I return to when I want relaxed knitting, though I understand and sometimes practice the continental style.
Thank you! Happy knitting.
thank you so much ...this has helped me tremendously .. Merry Christmas
You are very welcome, Mary! Merry Christmas!
Hi Suzanne, Thank you for all your great videos. I have been doing your technique for the knit stitch before a purl and definitely see an improvement. My problem is the knit stitch following the purl looks very sloppy and loose. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Please help.
Thank you so much for the detailed demonstration. I'm finding that its the opposite for me. My current project has a k11, p1, k1tbl (or slip 1 every other row), p1, k11, pattern. And every first knit to the left of the purl is very loose.
That is because of the k1tbl. Try working this trick to the left of the purl instead. 🧶
Hello Suzanne, I’ve just found your channel, you explained really clearly, as a lefty and thrower knitter, I was chuffed to see you explain the difference between both techniques. So I have subscribed to your channel. Thank you from London, England. Keep safe and be lucky 💞💞💞
Glad it was helpful, Alfies Flower! Thank you so much for watching and for subscribing! ❤️
Helpful video, thank you!
I would like to know if I can knit a top down cardigan reglan sleeve with the ribbing of the neckline all in one piece , so there won't be needs to pick up stitches for the front ribbing after the cardigan is done. I greatly appreciate it, for a reply or a video about this.
Thank you!
It is possible to do, but, I have found from experience that the neck will stretch out of shape very easily. The structure of the cast on gives some stability to the neck. I hope this helps you
I purl like that as am a combination knitter. Does mean I have to adjust at deceases etc.
There is really never a "wrong" way to knit, it's all a matter of what works best for you. 😊
Hi, thank you for sharing this technique. It is helping for the knit stitch before the purl to be tighter/neater, but I’m finding the purl stitch is loose. Is there any way to fix this?
Did you try both methods? Let me know. Happy Holidays.
Thank you for showing us these techniques! As you mentioned, many patterns have you decrease before starting ribbing or go down a needle size. How do these techniques compare to that outcome? Are there situations where one would be more appropriate than the other?
When would I use something like this?
I like using the alternative wrap method but have found that it’s not as workable when the pattern includes traveling cables. If you work an alternative wrap on the back side and then want to cable with that stitch on the front side, you have to reset the stitch before cabling. Thanks for your great videos.
Thanks for your input.
QUESTION: I have knit a vest bottom up and I am not happy with the bottom ribbing and would like to redo it using your methods. I am not sure where to begin. I have thought about the options. Note the ribbing is in a different coloured yarn than the body, I am not sure if that will influence my choice of methods to modify it. 1) I could pick up stitches in the body just above the ribbing. Then cu the stitches below that point. I could then join the body yarn and knit down a few rows. How would my stitches look where they meet the stitches that were knit bottom up? Could I use a different stitch for these few rows, perhaps garter stitch or reverse stockinette? If I choose this method I would then re-knit the ribbing using your method. My other option would be to unravel the ribbing from the bottom of the sweater until I reach the body. I could then put the body stitches on hold. I would then re-knit the ribbing and finish with a couple of rounds of the body colour and stockinette stitch. At that point I could graft onto the existing body. I am not very well practised with Kitchener stitch so it might be daunting for me to graft that many stitches at one time.
The solution is simple. As you say, you can pick up stitches along the bottom of the body, then cut off the ribbing. Then simply knit down in the ribbing pattern and bind off. Try this on a swatch first. I think you will be surprised at how easy it is.
Could you just do both purl stitches with the clockwise wrap through the back and have good results? Would it affect the stretch or recovery do you think?
I love how your video is so clear by the way!
I would try it on a swatch. In my experience, it is the transition from knit to purl that makes the difference. There really isn't a transition from a purl to a purl. But try it and see what you think. It very well may work for you.
@@SuzanneBryan thank you for your reply! I had just been working on some ribbing and was trying out different ways to purl- as that is my weak point. I am a new knitter and was teaching myself continental as I am a crocheter . Then I realized I was doing it “wrong”. And surprisingly I couldn’t manage the movement of bending my finger for purling counter clockwise, and actually found it much more comfy to keep my finger down and use the Norwegian style for knit stitch. So easy! But have never mastered the purl! The ribbing I did seemed less “springy” to me. But I don’t know if it was because of the stitch, or the yarn. Or maybe being able to do clockwise purls through the back loop was just so much easier for me I loosened up my stitches lol!
Thanks for the tips, Suzanne. Q: The 1x1 ribbed brim of my hats are stretching out after one wear. I’m not a loose knitter. Apart from looking very nice, will these techniques ensure the rib will bounch back? I use the pattern’s recommended 3.25mm needle, either longtail CO or alt. cable CO, with 4ply (sportweight) non superwashed yarn. I can’t seem to find vids on how to best prevent stretching out on hat brims. Aside from trying your technique, would going down to say a 3mm be a good idea?
This technique will help. Going down a needle size and this technique together would be good. But may make the ribbing too tight
@@SuzanneBryan thanks very much. Tried the combo and voila! It has solved my issue🎓
Hi Suzanne. I tried the methods you described, but am finding that it loosens my purl stitch quite a lot resulting in ladders. This is primarily with the wrap clockwise method. Do you know what i might be doing wrong? Also, should the tension on that purl stitch be made with the yarn in front or in back (feel like I've tried both though). Thanks in advance! 😊
Tension with the yarn in front. And be sure to hold the tension on the purl until it is completed, then release the tension. 🧶
@@SuzanneBryan thanks for your quick reply! :-D
unfortunately, that did not remedy the problem either... the purl is looser no matter what i try, and i am in general a tight knitter. do you have any idea what might be causing the loosening?
There is another possibility that is happening. Since you mention that you are a tight knitter, it may be that your knits are too tight, not that your purls are too loose. Carefully watch your fingers while you are knitting and purling and examine what you are doing. Loosening up your knits may be the solution.
Just wondering on all the samples did you use "regular" method & then change to the tidy method or were the samples other tgan the first one done all w the tidy method? I ask because the samples all seem to REALLY pull in so that they are concave in the middle
What a great observation. The reason they pull in, is because below the ribbing is a Stockinette section (like a sleeve, with the ribbing being the cuff). The Stockinette holds the ribbing out, until the ribbing is long enough to contract in as it should do. The top portion is wider as it is still on the needle and can not contract in as ribbing should, because the needle it holding the stitches in a straight position. You are very observant. The whole portion of ribbing was worked tidy. Happy Holidays.
Hi Suzanne! I’m finding that it’s the first knit stitch after a purl that is loose in the 3x3 ribbing I’m doing - what should I do to prevent this? I can’t twist the first knit stitch and the three purl stitches seem to be at the correct tension as on the reverse they make a perfectly even column of knit stitches. So frustrating! Thank you!
Very interesting. How do you knit? Are you English, Continental, and do you work in the combination method?
@@SuzanneBryan Its odd isn’t it! I knit continental and from what I can tell I’m not doing it in the combination method.
@@TheSmallestTadpole I have exactly the same issue with K2 P2 ribbing - the first knit stitch is looser, and the purls are fine because the reverse of the fabric is much neater. I also knit Continental (although am relatively new to that method, having knit English for many years) and have tried all sorts to fix it but it’s still happening 🤷♀️
@SuzanneBryan I'm an English knitter and have the same issue.
It doesn't seem to matter what method I try, I can't do a neat rib
Take a look at this video and see if it helps with your tension - th-cam.com/video/OoQT5F4lmJc/w-d-xo.html
@@SuzanneBryan thank you!
Why would I want more compact ribbing? Does it stretch the same amout? Do I need to adjust the number of stitches callled for?
It is just nicer looking. The stretch is the same. It is tidier.
I think knitting combination style (eastern purl and western knit) is easier than knitting just the first purl eastern and all the rest western.
Yes it is. But, the point here is that by changing the yarn direction at specific points, you can make the stitch that it is associated with tighter. That is the issue here. Just give it a try and see what you think.
Check out this video for an explanation of why the yarn needs to change directions - th-cam.com/video/ravgF2nmc5I/w-d-xo.html
Yes, I understand some transitions use more yarn than others, including transitions from knits to purls and some yarn overs. I’ve watched most of your videos (over 90%). Combination style knitting performs the same operation with less concentration due to muscle memory and does so more ergonomically which is why I said I found it easier.
Very true. That is why I like continental vs throwing as well. Just a lot let motion going on overall. I have several combination knitter friends and I admire their work. Happy knitting. Have you joined my group on Ravelry? One of my moderators is a combination knitter. You would like her. Knitting with Suzanne Bryan - www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-with-suzanne-bryan
@@SuzanneBryan I knit combination style and my ribbing looks terrible in the round. I find wrapping the yarn counterclockwise (standard continental) extremely unergonomic and painful. But my first column of knit stitches looks so loose and sloppy. Do you have any tips to counteract this? All the advice I see on the internet, including this video, is for counteracting the sloppy second column of knit stitches, but I have the opposite problem because I'm a combination knitter.