Since I started crocheting I’ve had a sort of fascination with ribbed stitches. I love the plush texture and elasticity they provide to crochet accessories and garments. This year I’d like to explore all the possibilities of crochet ribbing and create a resource for crochet pattern designing. Every week I’ll be exploring a different crochet ribbing stitch. I’m really excited to experiment and play with different stitch patterns!
I’m starting out with the most basic ribbing, the first one I’d ever learned, the single crochet ribbing stitch. This stitch requires (almost – more about that later) every stitch to be worked in the back loop only.
~scroll down for a crochet diagram, written pattern, and photo tutorial of this stitch~
Crochet Diagram
Written Pattern
Materials
- 5mm crochet hook
- Red Heart Super Savers yarn in Buff
- tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
- Work all but the first and last stitches into the BLO.
- Begin each row with a ch 1, skip the stitch of the row below. This counts as a stitch.
- Finish each row with a single crochet in both stitches.
Abbreviations
BLO sc – back loop only single crochet
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
Pattern Instructions
Row 1: ch 11, turn, skip first ch, 10 sc (10)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, 8 BLO sc, sc (10)
Rows 3-10: ch 1, turn, 8 BLO sc, sc (10)
Finish off. Weave in ends.
Photo Tutorial
- ch 11
- turn, skip first st, sc
- sc across
- ch 1
- turn
- skip the first stitch of previous row, 8 sc in BLO
- sc in both loops of the last stitch of the row
- repeat from row 4 until you reach the desired length
Stitch Overview
Characteristics
This stitch results in a fluffy, somewhat stretchy, somewhat knit-like fabric. My swatch looks a lot like a fuzzy Triscuit.
Pros
- easy
- works up quickly
- quite squishy
- looks great on larger scale crochet items (blankets, scarves)
Cons
In my opinion, other ribbed stitches just look nicer & have more elasticity.
Let me know if you have any questions about these patterns!
Happy Crocheting!
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Hi there, I love the stretchiness of this type of ribbing, and the thinness but that’s about it. I find the Post method quicker and more fun but it is chunkier. What methods are your fav? x
I just started trying out the post method! It’s definitely more fun to work with in the round. I Love doing combinations of slip stitches and half double crochets to make a really stretchy fabric but it takes me so long!
Yeh, it’s the time that gets me too. I recently made quite a few pairs of fingerless mitts for Christmas fairs and while they were popular and sold out, they’re not quick to make because of the ribbing! I’m not in any hurry to make more.
I’ve never done any sort of fair. It sounds incredibly difficult to organize and make such a mass of crocheted items! This method definitely does give that classic ribbed look. I made a scarf with this technique. It took quite a few hours but it was so worth it!
Ooh I’d love to see your scarf, I bet it’s gorgeous. The hardest thing about doing fairs is deciding what to make 😀
It’s super comfy! I gave it to my boyfriend as a Christmas present and he’s too camera shy for me to get a good picture. I’m so happy when I hear someone ask “where did you get that scarf?”
But the ribbing you have in your pattern here is classic and the best crochet method for thinness and stretch.
I bought a few loops last year for Christmas but I can’t seem to figure out the patterns so everything unravels. I’d love to be able to finish at least one pattern without disaster, hah.
Oh no! Don’t get too discouraged. My first project was a washcloth and instead of being a perfect square it’s a rhombus.