Right‑Travelling Rib (Knit)
Overview: A cabled 2x2 rib that "travels" to the right as you work, creating a diagonal rib effect. Works beautifully for scarves, cuffs, bands and textured panels. This version is a 8‑stitch repeat over 4 rows; suitable for flat or in the round.
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted weight (US 4 / Aran). Example: 200 yards (183 metres) per 100 g ball. (You can substitute DK or Bulky but adjust needles and gauge.)
- Needles (recommended): US 7 (UK 7, 4.5 mm) for standard gauge; US 6 (UK 8, 4.0 mm) if you want a firmer fabric. Also works on US 8 (UK 6, 5.0 mm) for a looser drape.
- Cable needle (or spare double‑pointed needle) to hold stitches for crosses.
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends; optional stitch markers.
Gauge
20 sts x 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in pattern on US 7 (4.5 mm). Always swatch in pattern and block to confirm gauge for your yarn.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- CN = cable needle
- C4R (as written below) = cross 4 stitches to the right: slip next 2 sts to CN and hold to back, k2 from left needle, then k2 from CN.
Pattern Notes
- Repeat multiple: 8 stitches × 4 rows.
- Pattern is shown for both flat (rows back and forth) and in‑the‑round.
- When working WS rows flat, work the knits and purls as they appear to preserve the rib texture (that is, knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches on the WS rows as instructed).
Stitch Pattern
Multiple of 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): *k2, p2, k2, p2* to end.
Row 2 (WS): *k2, p2, k2, p2* to end. (On WS, knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches so the rib is maintained.)
Row 3 (RS): *k2, p2, C4R* to end. (C4R = slip 2 sts to CN and hold at back, k2 from left needle, then k2 from CN.)
Row 4 (WS): *k2, p2, k2, p2* to end.
Repeat Rows 1–4 for pattern.
Written Example Swatch
Cast on 32 sts (4 repeats of 8).
- Row 1 (RS): k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2.
- Row 2 (WS): k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2.
- Row 3 (RS): k2, p2, C4R, k2, p2, C4R. (Work across the row crossing the second k2 pair of each 8‑st block.)
- Row 4 (WS): k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2.
Repeat rows 1–4 until piece reaches desired length; bind off in pattern (bind off knit sts as knit and purl sts as purl or use a stretchy bind‑off if needed).
In‑the‑Round Notes
Work Rows 1–4 in sequence. There are no alternate WS rows in the round; treat the WS rows as rounds where you still knit the k stitches and purl the p stitches according to the written WS row. The C4R is worked the same on the RS rounds.
Chart (8 sts × 4 rows)
Key: blank = knit on RS / purl on WS; "●" = purl on RS / knit on WS; "R" = C4R (right cross: slip 2 to CN and hold to back, k2, k2 from CN)
Rows shown RS at bottom.
Row 4: | _ ● _ ● _ ● _ ● |
Row 3: | _ ● R ● _ ● R ● |
Row 2: | _ ● _ ● _ ● _ ● |
Row 1: | _ ● _ ● _ ● _ ● |
(In the chart: each group of 8 columns = one repeat. "_" marks knit on RS, "●" marks purl on RS; R = right‑cross cable.)
Finishing & Blocking
- Weave in ends; block gently to open the cable texture if desired. Because cables pull in slightly, blocking will even and relax the fabric.
- For edges: if you want a neat vertical edge, add a slipped edge stitch at each side (sl 1 wyif at beginning of RS rows; slip 1 wyib at end) before starting repeats.
Troubleshooting & Tips
- If the travel feels slow or you don’t see the diagonal yet, add more repeats and steam/block the swatch.
- For a stronger diagonal, work the C4R every 2nd RS instead of every 4 rows (alternate pattern) — but this increases twisting and a firmer fabric.
- To make a left‑travelling version, perform the mirror cross: slip 2 sts to CN and hold to front, k2, k2 from CN.
Variations
- Use a thicker yarn and larger needles for a bolder, chunkier diagonal rib.
- Work alternating right and left crosses to create braided diagonal ribs.
If you need the pattern adapted for a specific project (cuff circumference, number of repeats, or switching to DK yarn), contact us at team@verde.uk or visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Follow us: #purljam