Your Ribs are Showing . .

Last week we talked a little bit about the Basic Concept of Ribbing . . how the proper combination of Knits and Purls, when alternated in sequential order, can create a clean and distinct decrease in your knitting - - yet still allow it to stretch out and accomodate the give and take of a fitted garment, a hat band or a sleeve cuff.  But did you know that you are NOT limited to K2, P2 ... or K1, P1?  The options for consideration are only limited by imagination and/or viewing consideration, i.e., will the back side of the your knitting be seen as well, as in a scarf?  For some, that doesn't matter, and yet for others having both sides "match" is important.

The KISS scarf from yesterday used the Mistake Stitch Rib pattern and IS a reversible Ribbing.  Other options to consider are:

Farrow Rib:
Worked on a multiple of 3 + 1

Row one: *Knit two, purl one, repeat from * to the last stitch, knit one.
Row two: Purl one, *knit two, purl one* across.

Embossed Moss Stitch Rib

Worke on multiple of 7 + 3 stitches.

Row 1: Purl 3, *knit 1, purl 1, knit 2, purl 3. Repeat from * across.

Row 2: Knit 3, *purl 2, knit 1, purl 1, knit 3. Repeat from * across.
Row 3: Purl 3, *knit 2, purl 1, knit 1, purl 3. Repeat from * across.
Row 4: Knit 3, *purl 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 3. Repeat from * across.

Fisherman's Rib
Cast on an even number of sts.
1st row (wrong side): Purl
2nd and every following row: P1, (K1b, P1) rep to last st, P1.
Repeat Row 2 until you reach your desired length.

(although this looks like a traditional K1, P1, the detailing is actually achieved by Knitting 1 through the ROW BELOW it.)

Slipped Stitch RibbingWorked on multiples of 5 + 2 stitches.

Row 1 (wrong side): Knit 2, *purl 3, knit 2. Repeat from * across.
Row 2: Purl 2, *knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, purl 2. Repeat from * across.
Repeat these rows for pattern.
Note:  stitches should be slipped with yarn in back




Got some ideas now?  Can you see how some ARE reversible and others would be best suited for sleeves or sweater edges only?  What about an entire HAT using one of these ribbing options?  Cable stitches are a form of ribbing because it draws the fabric in ... but we'll tackle cables NEXT month .....

i really like the concept of Ribbing because it serves as a tangible reminder for me of my own daily walk.  The give and take, the increase/decrease compliment that reflects a life surrendered to the Lord's leadership.  Of course the verse "He must increase, i must decrease" immediately comes to mind, but the benefits of choosing to relinquish my will to His is sometimes a minute by minute struggle ... though i'm fully aware of the mess i make when i feel like i should be in charge of it all .....  (you'd think that after 50 years of mess-making i'd be a bit more eager to relinquish that control ... but, being the hard headed female that i am . . . enough said!) 

John 16:24 reminds me to "ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."  Asking is a such a hard thing for me at times because it verbally, out loud, implies that i need help, that i don't know what i'm doing, that basically i'm not in charge.  and YET, God promises that WHEN i ask, my JOY will be complete.   does that mean i will actually GET what i ask for .... well, it simply states my JOY will be complete so i'm going with the promise that i will GET what He KNOWS will meet my needs!

Staying connected to Him is the answer to what i need ... allowing Him to be the lead.  And if i consider myself as part of the Ribbing in His knitting garment, seeing Him as Front stitches and me as the 'ribs' sticking close to Him, is much akin to being in continual prayer with Him ... always talking and not just running to Him at the last minute for a quick fix, snugged up close so that His Presence becomes my Shield .. my Fortress... my Refuge!

while i certainly can't remember the last time i was thin enough that my Ribs actually stuck out, i pray that my heart will be so closely connected to Him that His Ribs are more evident that mine ... EVERY day!

Are your Ribs showing?

K2, P2 ribbing

Can you remember the last time you actually saw your ribs protruding through your skin... their definition clearly visible as your rib cage became the Focus of the momentary picture of who you were/are?  For most of us, we give no thought at all to our ribs .... they are just there - holding us up and out - - protecting all that is contained within - - but also very well padded and insulated and long forgotten.

There's no need, however, for us to have this out-of-site, out-of-mind approach to the ribbing in our knitting.  Ribbing can actually be one of those make-or-break techniques that becomes the perfect compliment for all the stitches to follow ... the quintessential ending to the thousands of stitches that have been knitted and lined up like a perfect platoon of soldiers all standing at attention.  And don't kid yourself into thinking that Ribbing is just Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat.  No ma'am.  There's more to this Lather, Rinse, Repeat technique that you can even imagine!

Rows & Rows,
Blocks of Color
the Perfect Sit & Knit Project

ribbing at the edge
"snugs" the fit and
covers the ears
to keep them warm as well

Ribbing is the combination of Knit and Purl stitches that form a vertical stripe that characteristically draws or cinches in the knitted fabric, creating an ideal method of providing elasticity for those areas that need to be more fitted - - cuffs or sweater hems or socks.  This elasticity is not limited to utilitarian purposes only.  It also serves in a  decorative role when used in a scarf.  When applied to a hat, the fit becomes more 'forgiving' and allows for a personalized or "customized" [sounds more expensive and couture] fit and snugly wraps the head and fits like a glove!

Ribbing is all about the proper combination ... the give and take that is created by the Purl stitches which Recede when followed by the Knit stitches which Stand Out.  The front runner of Jesus, John the Baptist, had a good understanding of the Ribbing in his Christian Walk when he declared "He must increase, I must decrease."  (John 3:30).  Part of the maturing process for me is not just Saying that verse .. but Living that verse.  Accepting the notion and applying the Truth of it all ... Allowing God to Increase in His Presence in my daily life - both in the visible areas that others may notice AND in the quiet of my own heart where i reveal who i really am ... and all that i lack, in order to become MORE like Him.  I do believe that this will be my own Lifetime Learning Lesson ... finding the Proper Combination of Who He is ... and Who i can be when i acknowledge His love and leadership in my own daily walk. 

This pattern is called a
Mistake Rib and is achieved
by altering the K - P combination*
(on purpose!)

If you study the Basic Ribbing of K1, P1 or the K2, P2 you find that the Knit Stitches take Front and Center stage and the Purls retreat to the background ... and yet despite the recession they are situated and snugged up so very close to the Knits .... and when i think about that in regard to my own life i should find comfort and encouragement in knowing that He desires to be Front so that i don't really have to!  His Presence provides me a refuge to rest in the Recesses of His Protection and Care, learning to trust while tucked in His Shadow .... still in line with Him, but acquiescing to His Lead .. and my follow!

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - - and this not from yourselves, it if the gift of God - - not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.   [Eph. 2:6-10]

*Mistake Rib:  (Works on multiples of four plus three.)

*Knit two, purl two across,* ending with knit two, purl one.
Repeat this row for the pattern.

what IF you Turn the Page?

Do you have those tried and true patterns in your repetroire that you always 'revert' back to in an emercency?  i  Love my Basic Washcloth Pattern for quick and eash washcloths . . the Mistake Rib Stitch works great for scarves .... I have a Basic Toboggan Pattern that i can just sit and knit on auto pilot when i need to crank out a quick hat . .

however, in a recent search for one of these patterns i decided to 'turn the page' and just SEE if there was another option to consider . . and i found a really neat little lace pattern that i can use for a prayer shawl . . all because i turned the page.  i realized that i had grown very complacent with the 'comfortable' and had lots some of the adventure from a new stitch . . or trying something in a new way . . .

i just found a verse that i'm sure has always been there .... but i've managed to overlook because the preceding verses are more 'famous' ..... and although they are good ones, i'm actually quite intrigued by my new 'discovery' ....
Heb. 12:1-2 ... begins with "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses . . . . Let us fix our eyes on Jesus . . . and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
howEVER ... i just found verse 3

Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful man,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Consider: a word that implies an on-going action .... a point to ponder Yesterday, Today as i'm sitting here, Tomorrow as i think ahead on things . . . . Consider. It would seem that this pretty much puts an end to my excuses and pity parties ..... not really sure i can play the 'they're picking on me' card anymore ..... or the 'why me?' question when i Consider what He endured for me . . . Consider - to do so with regard to the rest of my day will leave me counting blessings rather than self perceived burdens .....

Considering will plant a seed of hope in the middle of my aching heart because i feel betrayed or neglected by friends . . really? wonder what Jesus felt by my betrayal . . and everyone else's that he ENDURED!!! Really? [too bad i can't type inflections into all my "really" words? because this is DEFINITELY an inflected tone . . . ]

i think this is the place where i bow my head and with an incredibly HUMBLE HEART simply say Thank You Father that You would even CONSIDER me .... despite what i've done to You .... Thank You for demonstrating Love in such a way that i can Always have a picture to refer back to and be Inspired .. not weary; so that i can continue moving Forward and not give up! Thank You Father for letting me DWELL in Your Presence so that i can CONSIDER Your love for me .... with each step i take and each stitch i knit!  Thank You Father for turning the Page for me so that, because of Your Son, You now see me in a new and forgiven Light!