How To Knit In The Beaded Rib Knit Stitch (Plus a free ARLY KNITS pattern!!!)

Designed September 2022 by Arlene Etheridge
Overview
A beginner friendly broken rib knit pattern with an easy introduction into increasing stitches if you aren't yet familiar with the raglans or M1L/R.
Goals
The beginners increase
The broken rib knit pattern
You will need:
500g DK wool
Straight needles US size 4-6
Sewing scissors
Darning needle
Crochet hook
Short & long cord circular needles- 1 set in US size 2 for the finishes and the other 2 in a US size 4-6.
Elasticated thread
The Pattern
Size: Small/ Medium
To begin with we will make 4 “triangular” pieces, and then darn those together to create the neck and shoulders.
The broken rib knit is a 2 row repeat pattern in multiples of 5 stitches- and if you are knitting in the flat- you add an extra 2 stitches at the end of the first row (the right side).
The pattern in as follows:
First row (the right side) * Purl, Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit * Purl, Purl (start from the beginning)
Second row (the wrong side) Knit, Knit * Purl, Purl, Purl, Knit, Knit * (start from the beginning)
In the round it changes to:
Row 1 (right side) Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit, Purl
Row 2 (wrong side) Purl, Knit, Knit, Knit, Purl
To make one of these “triangular” pieces: cast on 14 stitches on to your straight needles and go into the following pattern:
First row (the right side) * Purl, Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit * Purl, Purl (start from the beginning)
Row 2 cast on one stitch and Purl it, then repeat row two: Knit, Knit * Purl, Purl, Purl, Knit, Knit * (start from the beginning)
You will now be casting on 1 new stitch at the beginning of each new row. To see if that new stitch needs to be purled or knitted- count your pattern to find your place in it.
For example, row 3 is going to be on the right side. We have already added a new stitch at the beginning which means this new stitch will place us at this point in the pattern-
Purl, Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit * Purl, Purl
Keep casting on new stitch at the beginning of each new row until you have reached 42/ 43 stitches.
After the 5th or so row the pattern will begin to emerge and it will be clearer to you what each new stitch needs to be.
Here's a little chart to help you get going:
Row 1: P,P,K,P,K,P,P,P,P,K,P,K,P,P
Row 2: K,K,K,P,P,P,K,K,K,K,P,P,P,K,K,K
Row 3 : P,P,P,P,K,P,K,P,P,P,P,K,P,K,P,P,P,P
Row 4: P,K,K,K,K,P,P,P,K,K,K,K,P,P,P,K,K,K,K,P
Row 5 :P,K,P,P,P,P,K,P,K,P,P,P,P,K,P,K,P,P,P,PK,P
Row 6: P,P,P,K,K,K,K,P,P,P,K,K,K,K,P,P,P,K,K,K,K,P,P,P
Once you have arrived at the correct amount of stitches on your needles- put the piece to one side (on a spare pair of circular needles if you have one or onto some waste yarn) and make 3 more- so that you have 4 in total.
Darn the 4 pieces together with the right sides all facing up and the patterns lining up as much as possible.
Then place all the stitches back onto your circular needles.
The piece will now have 4 components to it- one will be the front torso, one an arm, the next the back torso and the last the other arm.
Pace the 2 arms onto waste yarn.
Add a row marker.
We will now knit the torso in the round.
This is far less complicated!
We will go into the following pattern:
Row 1 (right side) Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit, Purl (repeat)
Row 2 (wrong side) Purl, Knit, Knit, Knit, Purl (repeat)
Knit until you are satisfied with the length.
Move over to your size 2 needles and finish off with the 1 x 1 rib knit.
Cast off with elasticated thread.
Then we can pick up arm one and knit that out in the round as well.
Knit until you are satisfied with the length.
Then convert to knit stitches and knit 1, then knit 2 stitches together (see video tutorial at the end of the pattern for a visual reference). Once you have decreased down to x stitches convert to a 1 x 1 rib knit.
Cast off with elasticated thread.
Darn the holes at the armpit area closed.
Pick up all the stitches around the neck and continue the broken rib knit pattern until you are satisfied with the length.
Cast off.
Tidy up all loose ends.