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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 & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and 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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