Knit neat 1x1 rib in the round with combination knitting

Today's upload is a highly requested tutorial showing my favourite way to achieve a neater 1x1 rib in your knitting.
I use a method called combination knitting, which combines elements of Eastern knitting with Western techniques.
For in-the-round knitting, I knit the knit stitches as normal, but complete the purl stitches in the Eastern method by wrapping the yarn in the opposite direction. This means that less yarn is used for the purl stitch, and this results in a neater knit stitch that sits next to the purl. This method re-orientates the purl stitch so that the back leg of the stitch is closer to your needle tip. I provide an explanation for the set up round and for subsequent rounds of your 1x1 rib in this tutorial.
If you try this method, I would love to know how you find it. Feel free to comment below, or reach out to me on Instagram
/ fibrebound
You can learn more about combination knitting by visiting some of these wonderful resources:
‪@Chillyscott‬ • Combination Knitting a...
‪@verypinkknits‬ verypink.com/2...
samuraiknitter....
Happy knitting!

[@Tanglethread]

50 years knitting and can still learn something new … brilliant

[@FibreBound]

Your comment makes me so happy! Thank you for watching!

[@daphnenugent1615]

Oh my gosh, this is a REVELATION. Not only is this an incredibly well-made instructional video, but you have saved my life: I seem to have fallen into the "backwards" purl combined with the western knit stitch on my own, not even realizing it wasn't "normal". Rib stitches were much easier, yes, but I was finding the purling after the first round of rib stitches was a struggle, those stitches were "tight", and I couldn't figure out why. I'm starting a sweater project for the first time (co-incidentally, it is and Anker sweater), with thinner yarn than I am used to using, and I just can't seem to make it work with those tight purl stitches. I've unraveled my first two rows (of 96 stitches) at least 3 times since I started. I was ready to give up last night, but woke up this morning and decided to do a you-tube search on rib stitch with combined knitting. Yours was the first video I found. I never realized you had to knit into the _back _of the purl stitch! I'm about to do a practice round on some scrap yarn, but then I will re-start my sweater project with a new enthusiasm. I cannot thank you enough.

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy to hear that this has been helpful for you! Good luck with your Ankers sweater!

[@moiraoneill8381]

Thank you so much, just what I’ve been looking for since I began knitting in the round using magic loop. I’m in my seventies and began knitting as wee lassie, so just goes to show that you’re never too late learn! 😊

[@latitude1904]

Very nice video and techhnique. Nice, even stitches. This method can be employed wherever K turns to P. To reduce the larger last-K stitch, twist the 1st purl in a series as in this video. The edges of your cabling will look great, too. Just remember to pay attention to stitch mount on the next round. While working flat, Ktbl where you come to the back side of a twisted P, and twist the next stitch if a P

[@mandyleighton7261]

Thank you very much! I agree 1x1 rib can be very squiggly so I avoid. This will go into my saved videos ready for my next sock, as I usually knit 2x2 for neatness. Thanks again xx

[@FibreBound]

Glad it was helpful and good luck with trying this on your next project!

[@glennspohn5534]

I was having trouble knitting a nice even 1 x 1 rib. I watched your video and started over using your technique. What a big difference. I have nice even columns now. You explained it well and went slowly making it easy to follow. Thank you so much.

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy to hear that you found this helpful!

[@JennySimon206]

I just got my chiaogoo interchangable set. I naturally was combination knitting the correct way. I thought I had to unlearn it but found as long as I knew about the leg position, the anatomy of the stitches it was fine. I wasn't following a pattern. Just trying out stitches and did some 2x2 ribbing. I've been crocheting a long time so that helps. I love it. I'm so happy. Now to scour my books and patterns I have saved for a pattern to try.

[@FibreBound]

The Chiaogoo needles are so lovely to use, I hope you’re loving them!

[@josephinealbert6343]

Great tutorial! 1x1 rib is such a nightmare for loose knitters like me, but this technique is a definite game changer. I’m currently using the technique on my top down sweater and the 1x1 rib is looking SIGNIFICANTLY better than my first attempt.

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy to hear that the tutorial helped you get the outcome you want for your 1x1 ribbing. It still amazes me how small changes can make such a big difference! Happy knitting

[@kimsechrest2202]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@soniasavage8456]

I’m so glad l found this video.My ribbing is atrocious😫l will give this a try,thank you so much😍

[@2DDTV]

Thanks so much for this! I just tried it on a hat I was knitting, and it's fabulous.

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy you found it helpful!

[@melrose4429]

THANK YOU!!! My rib had previously looked so loose and sloppy but after adopting this technique my rib looks so much neater!! I'll definitely continue using this technique in the future!

[@FibreBound]

You’re so very welcome!

[@raquelsilva7470]

I love this tutorial! Especially because I was looking for ways of making my ribbing more even precisely for the pattern the tutorials worked on! My ribbing looks incredibly even, and I don't hate 1x1 rib any more 😅

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the tutorial. It’s amazing how a technique hanger can improve our knitting 💗

[@alexisroberts1871]

I like that it sounds like you are smiling. Thank you for the demonstration.

[@chelseyummali]

I’m a new knitter and I was purling clockwise and didn’t even realize it. It felt so much more comfortable, I thought I was purling counter clockwise (not really looking at what I was doing obviously) I thought it was “wrong” and my purls looked so strange and I thought that was why so I fixed my purls by actually purling counter clockwise and saw that my purls finally looked right but super loose. Now I’m realizing it’s actually combination knitting and I was fine BUT I was always purling through the front and that’s why it was looking so weird instead of through the back. Thank you! Purling is sooo much easier in combination knitting. I did not know I had to do it through the back.

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy that this tutorial helped you ❤️ there are so many different ways to knit and it’s fun to try different techniques ☺️

[@chelseyummali]

@@FibreBound I have recently been told that it will be very difficult to follow patterns if I purl clockwise...what are the main issues?

[@FibreBound]

@@chelseyummali If you purl clockwise, it re-orientates your stitches. So if a pattern asks you to knit through the back loop for example, this could cause issues on a subsequent knit row.

[@chelseyummali]

@@FibreBound thank you I will keep that in mind. I enjoy doing this on my ribs. Once I stop the rib and do my rounds of knit do I need to do anything or can I jump right into my knits? I did this on a baby beanie but I'm new so I wouldn't know if it looked wrong if I wanted haha.

[@FibreBound]

It’s great to use on ribbing. Once you go back to stockinette, your first knit row may need you to reorientate the previously purled stitches. To do this knit the ones that you were purling before though the back loop on the first row.

[@Annascraftyamore]

Thank you Aleksandra, I love learning about new techniques... you showed and explained this ribbing technique very well 🙋🏻‍♀️💖

[@FibreBound]

You are so welcome! Thank you for your lovely comment. Happy knitting!

[@monika.71]

Well there you go! Did not know this was a thing. 😁 I tried it on my Elton cardigan sleeve rib, and even though its a very loose knit and I can’t see how ‘together’ the knitting looks, it was fun to do! I embrace anything that keeps the boredom at bay. Will def be saving this! (Great tutorial too, btw! Well shot! 😘)

[@FibreBound]

Thank you Monika! 🥰

[@carrieklumpar258]

Thank you! Very clear and helpful.

[@NYKnitter]

Will try this , thank you. Finding this works well , even with the style knitting I was taught , knits and purls flow smoothly .

[@BR54niner]

Other than the constant background music…this video was brilliant. Thank you ♥️

[@FibreBound]

Apologies for the background music, I’ll keep that in my mind when I edit future tutorials. Thank you for taking the time to comment ☺️

[@tammyd.furman4099]

Thank you for your tutorial. I’m not really sure what style I use, combination, or continental. I loved the video and it seems a lot easier then what I have been doing. Thank you.

[@ericallerton809]

Thank you,,Alex! I am visual ,too,, Will give it a try,,,,l Always enjoy UR podcasts,, Elaine😍🏡🏡🏡

[@FibreBound]

Thank you Elaine! 💕

[@Sarina5648s]

Nice to be reminded how combination knitting works. It does shorten the path of the yarn from the right needle to the new stitch so that tension may be improved. For a new knitter, it may be a little confusing because you must understand stitch anatomy (e.g. what a twisted stitch looks like).

[@FibreBound]

Yes, you are so right. It took me a little while to understand stitch anatomy too. I remember knitting my first flax light and deciding I didn't like 1x1 rib and did the ribbing with twisted rib instead after watching a number of tutorials on how to improve my ribbing, but was very overwhelmed at the time about the idea of combination knitting when it was all so new to me!

[@helenesidor2265]

Merciii 🙏pour vos explications très bien 👍🏽 bonne journée 😊

[@juliedavies8145]

Always amazes me all the different techniques of the knit & purl stitch. These look great and I'm def6going to give it a go. I'm too impatient to let myself learn continental style !! Great clear easy to follow video. Thanks !!

[@FibreBound]

I agree, there are so many ways to do things in knitting, there’s a technique for everything and it’s so fun to learn new tricks. I would love to get better at English style but have always had an issue with tensioning the yarn so I get that it is hard to switch, but there’s no need to if you enjoy knitting the way you do ☺️

[@doodlebugyarnco.4998]

This is so helpful! I’ll put it in practice on my Anker’s sweater 😊 Thank you Alexandra! 😍😘

[@FibreBound]

I am so happy that this has been helpful! I used this technique for my Lovely Anna Sock cuff too, it’s so versatile for any 1x1 rib!

[@riveranalyse]

Ha! Same project for me. :)

[@23Cinni]

Very helpful. I’m ripping out my ribbing and starting again with this method! And I’ve subscribed 😎 Thank you.

[@FibreBound]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@yisiangjhuang2399]

This is so helpful 👍👍👍 Thanks very much for sharing ❤

[@FibreBound]

My pleasure 😊

[@barbarah5756]

Alexandra, I really enjoy your podcasts and look forward to them. Your sweater is beautiful! I have been longing to make the Anker sweater and this tutorial convinced me to go ahead with it. What a great technique! Thank you so much. I do have a request for a tutorial. I have tried many different ways and I still am unable to pick up stitches for the underarms of my sweaters and knit them without leaving holes. Can you please make a tutorial for a good way to do this? That would really be helpful to me. Hugs from Texas. Barbara

[@FibreBound]

Thank you so much Barbara, I am so happy that this tutorial helped!! The Ankers was such a lovely pattern to knit! Thank you also for the tutorial suggestion. I will try to record this when I get to that part of my next sweater. This is something I have struggled with too but after trying a number of techniques have found tips that work better than others. In the meantime Suzanne Bryan has some helpful tutorials for this that may help you. Happy knitting!

[@lesleywarrin4403]

Thank you! Just what I needed for my wip!!

[@FibreBound]

Glad I could help!

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Thank you! ❤ I will have to watch this a few times to master it.

[@FibreBound]

You're most welcome, please reach out if you have any questions ☺️

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Thank you! ❤

[@lisapettit7334]

Brilliant! I wish that I had known this before I knit my Anker's Summer Shirt. I will definitely put this into practice into future projects (just English style). Well done!

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for your comment Lisa! I wish I’d recorded this earlier as I have tried to explain it for a while but it’s always easier to see it done!

[@lisapettit7334]

@@FibreBound That's just the way it is with us visual learners! Very much appreciated. 😊

[@dorothyrainey1141]

Thank you! I'm going to try this with my Love note neckband!

[@NinaSandcastle]

this is a fabulous video.

[@FibreBound]

Thank you so much!

[@Catherinelatelierdesdixdoigts]

merci pour cette technique. Thank you so much for this technique

[@rhiarnevans9420]

Very cool! Looks great

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for taking the time to leave a lovely comment ☺️

[@ReginaPagles]

Genius! Thank you so much!

[@100msprim]

Thank you for a great tutorial x

[@FibreBound]

It is my pleasure!

[@casuarinagirl8067]

That was so interesting thank you.

[@FibreBound]

Thank you 💕

[@theskeincocaine]

Thank you for the great tutorial! xo

[@FibreBound]

Thank you so much for watching and for your lovely comment! I’m off to watch your channel!

[@kathywaldusky8512]

Love this tutorial! Very.clear instructions.. except for one thing. I need to know what to do after the set up round and the next round. What about the 3rd round, 4th, 5th, etc. I must miss something as after watching and listening very carefully. I'm left without knowing what to do AFTER that second round! No one else seems to have this question! So, once again I probably missed something! Thanks in advance for answering my question. I, too, am making the Anker Sweater. Just cannot move on!

[@FibreBound]

Thank you so much for watching and your comment. When you start the ribbing you need to do the set up row once and the rest of the rib rows are done with the second row. I mention this at about the 5 minute mark where I say ‘this and all subsequent rib rows’. I hope that helps ☺️

[@kathywaldusky8512]

Thank you so much for answering my question clearly and promptly! I have moved on and am getting a beautiful result!

[@MikiCrespo]

thanks so much for sharing

[@FibreBound]

It’s my pleasure, thank you for watching

[@janeyee5817]

Thank you for this clear and instructive video. What do i do if i want to bind off-should all the stitches be reoriented to normal position before binding off in pattern?

[@FibreBound]

I usually reorient on the final 1x1 round by wrapping the yarn the usual way if I’m using this technique for a cuff or hem. You could always do this on the actual bind off round too in reality.

[@fraicheurmentalo1360]

merci beaucoup ! Thanks so much 👍👍💕💕

[@oldsoul6696]

Nice thank you for explaining. I get the rib part. But how to achieve that broken effect every few rounds/rows as your fabric. It looks like it "dips in" after every 12 rounds / rows.

[@FibreBound]

This is the Ankers tee pattern by Petite Knits and has a round of knit rows between the rib rounds, creating this effect.

[@mikerope5785]

wow i love how loose you knit, the fabric you are knitting has really nice drape to it. I have a very hard time relaxing during knitting but I still love it, and love seeing how other people have their favourite methods.

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for your lovely comment Mike, tension really is a funny thing. If you're new to knitting it will take a little time to get to a point where the process is relaxing and you can still maintain a consistent tension. I remember that this was my biggest issue when I was first learning a few short years ago, but with time and a variety of projects, you will find your rhythm. Best of luck!

[@HeatherKelly]

Well great now I want to knit that sweater!😍. Perfect tutorial!

[@FibreBound]

I am always happy to enable you Heather! There are still around 5 weeks of the KAL left, join us! 💕

[@notaclue822]

It does look beautiful. thanks. I'm going to try it. Do you have a technique for working the YO's when you're going from k to p ? They're much longer than when you're going from a p to a k.

[@FibreBound]

Patty Lyons has a good technique for making YO’s consistent. Not sure if this link will be clickable, but here’s a video I like of hers kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKGQoq19h5eVjbcsi=G4CXskrPwDYdqpKb

[@arlaschmaltz4520]

I would like to know how well this technique works when working a flat piece. All tutorials have shown circular work. Could you, would you, please address this for me and any others who may be wondering. Thank you. 😊

[@FibreBound]

Andrea Mowry has a great tutorial for using combination knitting to knit a flat piece, here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/o33XlZiqn7OYqKssi=0p6LaW4j3WjOx1fb

[@diamondalexiss]

Thanks for your video! I knit just like you, do you have any tips on doing a 1x1 twisted rib stitch?

[@FibreBound]

I find twisted rib always looks quite neat so don't see a need to do anything different with the purl stitches, but you could definitely give it a try too

[@karenjudithdavis]

Great video! Looks like it’s just what my 1 x 1 ribbing needs to neaten it up. Quick question. When using this technique, do you find you have to go down a size or two with your needles to look better with your stockinette stitches? Thanks!

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for your comment! I do give the ribbing gets tighter using this technique, but I haven’t needed to adjust my needle for the stockinette sections in my projects.

[@jennifereverett6843]

This is amazing. Thank you! I'm working on my third Anker Tee now. I do have a question, though. Do you reorient the stitches while working the last row of the rib before the round of increases and round of stockinette? Thanks for any input.

[@FibreBound]

Its my pleasure, its such a great pattern isn't it! I don't bother re-orienting on the last rib round, but you certainly can if you wish. I usually knit the twisted stitches through the back loop on the first stockinette round following the combination 1x1 rib and this does the trick.

[@Fran-yh8vy]

Thank you for your video, your explanation was very clear. I am wondering if this can be used for 4x4 ribbing in the round. I want to cast on Jessie Maed's Big Rib sweater, I have swatched a few times and my last knit stitch of the 4 is coming out too big and sloppy.

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for your lovely comment! I have only used this technique for 1x1 rib but I imagine that it would also work for a 4x4 rib. Good luck!

[@user-cs1pn7qy1u]

Hi! what size yarn is this and needle size? I love the drape. Thanks!

[@FibreBound]

Hi! This is a DK weight yarn (Coboo by Lionbrand) and I used a 4.5mm/ US7 needle to knit this project.

[@kathywaldusky8512]

I have used your great tutorial to use combination knitting for the 1x1 ribbing rounds in the Anker Sweater, My Size by Petite Knit. It looks so much better than the regular k1, p1 ribbing. HOWEVER, I cannot figure out how to do the 2 stockinette rounds! They never come out right! They look like 4 rounds instead of the 2 rounds from the pattern. Can you be reached through Ravelry or a website? Thanks for any help you can give!

[@FibreBound]

Hi Kathy, sorry to hear you're having some problems with the two stockinette rounds. I hope you've been able to figure this out and if not, here are some tips. I usually knit the first round's stitches after the combination 1x1 rib by knitting the twisted stitches through the back loop, then on the second round I knit each stitch as normal. When I'm due to start the ribbing again I work the set up round I show in the video again.

[@kathywaldusky8512]

@@FibreBound Thank you for responding! Yes, that is EXACTLY where I was having trouble! Unfortunately, I ended up ripping everything out! I had gotten to the raglan sleeves but I was just not happy with all the previous knitting I had done! I will also use a lighter weight yarn. Definitely will start again in Aug! I still love the sweater! Thanks again for your help!

[@crazygranny930]

Thank you for your video. One quick question.After the setup row are all the following rows purl through the back loop?

[@FibreBound]

Yes, thats right

[@nanachen565]

Hi there, I have been looking into learning combination knitting since I wanted to purl faster than what continental purling has to offer. Am I right in saying that for knitting ribbing in the round using combination method, you would have to 'untwist' the purl stitches every other round to make sure they are mounted correctly? (so rounds 2,4,6,8,10 etc..)? Thanks again for this tutorial! It has helped me grasp this concept better!!

[@FibreBound]

Hi! The way I continental purl for the rib in this video ensures that the purl stitches are not twisted. Once I do the set up row, I then purl through the back leg in the continental fashion to make sure that the stitches don’t get twisted. If you need to transition to knitting in the round after the purling is finished, you would knit the purl stitches through the back loop on the first round which would reorient the stitch to the usual structure. Once this round was done, you would go back to knitting normally through the front leg. I hope this helps!

[@anitabechtel5180]

thank you so much. it does look like after the 1st round you purl through the back loop the same way every round from then on?

[@FibreBound]

That’s right, the stitches will remain oriented the same way if you wrap the yarn the way I showed and so each purl stitch will be purled through the back loop. If you’re moving to stockinette after the ribbing, you would knit those stitches through the back loop for the first round to reorientate them again.

[@paigejpivovar]

Thanks for sharing! Hoping to do this on the ribbed section of my current project. I was wondering, when using this technique would it change anything about the way you would do an Italian bind off or could I use this and do an Italian bind off as normal?

[@FibreBound]

I have used this technique with a tubular bind off a which I think is somewhat similar to the Italian bind off and I reorient the purl stitches on the final round before the bind off so they all have the front leg facing the same way. I hope that helps

[@susanjackson2459]

Would there be any difference in doing 2x2 ribbing? Is it possible to change to knitting through the back loop( higher loop) and purling through the front for ribbing?

[@FibreBound]

I find that my 2x2 looks much neater when I knit and purl in the usual way so haven’t needed to use this technique. If you knit though the back loop and wrap in the opposite direction that could work, otherwise you’ll end up with twisted rib which is also quite a beautiful alternative to a standard 1x1 rib.

[@paulakneifel4104]

Confused. Are you doing a set up row and then the second row again and again or only one set up and all the rest are thru the back on the purl?????

[@FibreBound]

When you start the ribbing you need to do the set up row once and the rest of the rib rows are done with the second row. I mention this at about the 5 minute mark where I say ‘this and all subsequent rib rows’. I hope that helps ☺️

[@teresaolofson8059]

I am looking for a way to knit in rib in the round with no purling is that possible ?

[@FibreBound]

Yes, it's possible to knit ribbing in the round without purling! You can try using a technique called the 'helical' or 'spiral' ribbing method. It involves alternating between knitting and slipping stitches to create a ribbed texture without ever needing to purl. There are some great tutorials out there that can guide you through the process. Happy knitting!

[@lindahaviland622]

When you bind off, what do you do?

[@FibreBound]

I reorient the stitches back to the normal set up on my final round of 1x1 rib by purling the usual way to get ready for the bind off row.

[@rhiarnevans9420]

Can i use this method for 4 x 2 rib?

[@FibreBound]

Yes, of course you can. I find I don’t need to use this for anything but 1x1 rib as other ribbing (2x2 etc) turn out neat, but it can be used for any ribbing.

[@annoyingnessbeginswithme5698]

Ooo what yarn are you using, looks very silky?

[@FibreBound]

This is lionbrand Coboo, it’s a beautiful bamboo cotton blend!

[@reda9697]

How would you do this method when working it flat?

[@FibreBound]

Suzanne Bryan has some great tutorials and I found this one for you to knit flat ribbing neater - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIvdZHuujrtqmMk I hope it helps!

[@reda9697]

@@FibreBound thank you!

[@deborahderden4860]

Do you know if anyone has done a video on this technique for English knitters?

[@FibreBound]

I linked a tutorial by Chilly Dog in the description box where she shows English style. I hope that helps!

[@deborahderden4860]

@@FibreBound thank you 😀

[@lanadavis9535]

I'm a combination knitter and my 1×1 ribbing is still a mess.

[@FibreBound]

So sorry to hear that, do you find it better in the round than flat? My flat 1x1 rib is not at neat as it is in the round

[@LisaH2472]

Please consider not using background music in the tutorial section of your videos. It can be quite distracting.

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for your feedback. This video is a few years old but will keep that in mind if I record more tutorials.

[@ClareW23]

Has anyone tried this for 2x2 rib

[@FibreBound]

You can use in on 2x2, but I find that 2x2 never looks as messy as 1x1 so I don’t use this technique for that.

[@ClareW23]

@@FibreBound ah I see, I think my 2x2 could look better so I'm trying it. Haven't done 1x1 yet but will keep this in mind. Thank you for the excellent demonstration.

[@susan-cc1nx]

Can’t follow. English knitter

[@FibreBound]

I have linked English knitting style tutorials in the description. I hope that helps ☺️

[@chavak3497]

turn off the ding ding ding dingding ding ding dingding ding ding dingding ding ding dingding ding ding ding background

[@FibreBound]

Thank you for the feedback. If I record future tutorials I’ll keep this in mind.