Many crocheters are put off creating fitted garments, as they feel that they will need to add a knitted rib. However, it is possible to work two crochet rib stitches. One gives the elasticity that would be expected in a knitted rib. The other technique is more cosmetic, but gives a nice finish to crocheted sweaters and other clothing.
Elastic Ribbing
It is possible to create a crochet rib with a large amount of stretch. The ribbing piece is worked from side to side. If making a sweater, therefore, you would work the waistband and then pick up stitches from one side to work the rest of the sweater piece.
The ribbing is worked using double crochet stitches (known as single crochet in the US). Make the required number of chain and work your first row as normal. On the second and every following row, work the stitch in the back loop only of the stitch below.
As well as giving elasticity to the work, it gives an attractive ridge effect, as expected with ribbing.
Firm Ribbing
This type of technique creates a fabric that is relatively firm. However, it does give the ridge effect required of rib stitches. The other advantage is that it is not worked from side to side, and is therefore easy to add to otherwise finished pieces. This type of ribbing is ideal for armbands on sleeveless sweaters, or neckbands, where a neat edge is needed, rather than a great deal of stretch.
The pattern is formed by working the stitches around the stem of the stitch on the row below, rather than in the two loops at the top.
For example, to work around the back of the stem, the hook is inserted between the stitch you’ve just worked into, and the next stitch, so that it is lying behind the next stitch on the row below. Wrap your yarn around the hook and pull it back through then continue the stitch as normal (see picture below).
To work around the front of the stem, approach the work from the back. The hook is inserted between the stitch you’ve just worked into, and the next stitch, coming from back the front. Then put it back through the work so that it is lying in front of the next stitch. Wrap your yarn around the hook at continue as normal.
This ribbing can be worked in many stitches, but works best using treble stitches (known as double crochet in the US). Make or pick up the required number of chain and work the first row as normal.
Second row: make 3 turning chain, then work one treble around the back of the stem, and the next around the front – continue to the end of the row/round.
The pattern becomes obvious straight away, so on future rows continue in the same way, inserting the hook behind or in front of the stitch on the row below.
It can be seen that ribbing is not only the preserve of knitters and whether you want the ribbing to gather in a garment, or simply to give it a neat edge, then through crochet, you can produce the type of rib that you want.
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