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How to Knit & How to Fix Fisherman’s Rib

March 21, 2018 10 Comments

The Fisherman's Rib Stitch is a great alternative to knitting brioche because it results in a fluffy, dimensional finished fabric, but it's a bit easier to knit. Learn all about how to knit Fisherman's Rib, plus learn how to fix mistakes when they crop up, in two great video tutorials.
Okay, almost everyone knows what ribbing is, even if they’re not a knitter. You alternate knit and purl stitches to knit a stretchy fabric that adorns the hem, collar and cuffs of hand and machine knit sweaters all over the world. Duh. But sometimes as a knitter, you’re looking for a ribbing that’s got even more texture to it than a standard k1, p1 rib. Faced with this, there are two popular options to try: Brioche Rib, which is challenging with its relatively steep learning curve, and Fisherman’s Rib, which is much easier to learn. If you can knit and purl, you can easily master Fisherman’s Rib in about 5 minutes. Today, we’re going to tackle how to knit Fisherman’s Rib, and how to go back and fix mistakes when you work this fun, fluffy stitch.

PS: If you’re looking for a project to practice the Fisherman’s Rib, check out the Fisherman’s Rib Baby Blanket. 

PPS: If you’d also like to try the brioche stitch, I’ve got tutorials for how to knit basic brioche and how to fix it too. Because of course I do. ;) 

How to Knit Fisherman’s Rib Stitch

Your basic Fisherman’s Rib Stitch is a simple 1 over 1 rib stitch (a.k.a. k1, p1), with one critical difference: the k1s are worked in the row below. The abbreviation for a knit 1 below is k1b. This video walks you through how to knit Fisherman’s Rib, based on the instructions in Barbara Walker’s legendary stitch dictionary, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns (p. 44 to be exact!).

How to Fix Fisherman’s Rib Stitch

To “tink” is to unknit or knit backwards (“tink” is the word “knit” spelled backwards, get it?). When you tink Fisherman’s Rib, you can’t just knit backwards like with regular knit stitches since the knit stitches are knit in the row below. There’s an extra stitch involved that’s both crossed over and pulled up onto your needle when you tink it. Check out this video for how to successfully tink Fisherman’s Rib to go back and fix mistakes, and there are also a couple tips about laddering down and using lifelines to make tearing back a breeze.

The Fisherman's Rib Stitch is a great alternative to knitting brioche because it results in a fluffy, dimensional finished fabric, but it's a bit easier to knit. Learn all about how to knit Fisherman's Rib, plus learn how to fix mistakes when they crop up, in two great video tutorials.
The Fisherman's Rib Stitch is a great alternative to knitting brioche because it results in a fluffy, dimensional finished fabric, but it's a bit easier to knit. Learn all about how to knit Fisherman's Rib, plus learn how to fix mistakes when they crop up, in two great video tutorials.

Yarn pictured was provided by Lion Brand Yarn, and it’s LB Collection Superwash Merino yarn in Dijon.

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: fisherman's rib, how to fix fisherman's rib, k1b, knit 1 below, video tutorial

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Karen Brayton

    April 4, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    Wonderful tutorials, very clearly presented. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      April 4, 2018 at 6:51 pm

      You’re most welcome!

      Reply
  2. Jpni Teller

    October 4, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Is it possible to put in a reactive lifeline in this stitch? I haven’t been able to find any information about how to do this.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 7, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      Since you’re knitting into the stitch below, I’m not sure. I pretty much use reactive lifelines in stockinette and other simple stitches, but I’ve never tried it with fisherman’s rib. Sorry I’m not more helpful here, it’s such a good question! If you end up finding any good tips, please holler! I’d love to learn. -Heidi

      Reply
  3. Nina Davies

    January 8, 2021 at 6:51 am

    very clear and useful I shall certainly put lifelines in I haven’t done fisherman knit since I was young and I am now over 80and also do the tink. Is there a book I can buy useful for doing various knit stitches, ( a sort of Bible). I have recently during the pandemic made 8 sweaters for grandchildren and enjoyed taking up knitting again

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 25, 2021 at 4:11 pm

      That’s wonderful, Nina! Far and away, my #1 go-to stitch bible is Barbara Walker’s series of stitch dictonaries. She did a total of four, but one and two in the series will keep you literally in stitches for quite awhile!

      Book one: https://www.amazon.com/Treasury-Knitting-Patterns-Barbara-Walker/dp/0942018168
      two: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Treasury-Knitting-Patterns/dp/0942018176/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&qid=1611612642&refinements=p_27%3ABarbara+G.+Walker&s=books&sr=1-4

      You’re also on my wavelength. While I was on break the last couple weeks, I knocked out a sweater body really quick. ;) -Heidi

      Reply
  4. Julia Hull

    July 3, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    Heidi, thank you for the video on how to tink back with fisherman’s rib. It has saved the day as I continue to progress through a sweater with only this stitch knit in the flat. I learned how to frog it back to the problem but was hoping for exactly this information!! I searched for days and finally found your post and video. It works like a charm!!! I am soooo grateful!

    Reply
  5. Liz

    September 22, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    Hello Heidi,
    This is great.
    Do you have any advice on how to too a P1B stitch made in error?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 13, 2021 at 11:28 am

      Is it just one row down?

      Reply
  6. DonDrea Esnault

    February 24, 2022 at 11:44 am

    First time trying this stitch, which I’m loving, but got into a pickle when I made a mistake and went to tink! So far your video is the only one I’ve found that truly explain how to tink this stitch! Thank you!!!

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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The first lesson of the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest K The first lesson of the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest Knit Along is now up on the bl0g! First thing’s first: better understanding gauge in intarsia, a.k.a. my most-requested intarsia tutorial topic. 🧶
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Maybe it isn’t the flashiest or funnest of topics, but knitting your patterns at gauge accomplishes 2 important things for projects like the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. 1️⃣ Your garment will fit properly. 2️⃣ The intarsia you’ve worked hard to knit won’t look squished like an image in Print Wizard 2000. (Is that software reference too niche? 🖨️)
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Find the first #spiralhillsweatervest Knit Along lesson at the 🔗 in my profle. 
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P.S. I’m currently finishing editing a related video for the lesson, which will be live on You2ube later today/tomorrow. I’ll post in Stories when it’s up.👍🏻 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #knittinggauge #knitting #sweaterknitting #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook #knitting_inspiration #stopswatchandblockit #swatching
This audio was me last summer while secretly desig This audio was me last summer while secretly designing the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern behind the scenes. 😆 I very often design with primary colors, so trying to explain suddenly working with black, white and grey was awkward/kinda funny. 🩶
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In case you missed it, this is my design from the new book ‘Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town,’ available now from @insighteditions & @tanisknits. We’re doing a knit along starting very soon, and we’ll be knitting this pattern! I’ve got weekly video tutorials planned for this educationally-focused knit along. This KAL is especially for you if you’re eager to work on your intarsia. 🧶
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Full KAL details, yarn quantities & pattern information are available on my bl0g, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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Yarn: @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted
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#nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook #handsoccupied #spiralhillsweatervest #knitting #halloweenknitting #knitalong #kal #knitting_inspiration #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #learntoknit
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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