im making my first ribbed scarf. i cant decide how many of knits and purls i should do on each row so that it will look good (e.g. 1×1, 2×2). i think 1×1 is too little. im thinking of 3×3, but ive never done ribbing before so i dont know how it will look. help?
im using baby blue yarn with a little bit of fuzz to it 
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here is how you knit the 3×3 rib. Make sure that the number of stitches are in multiple of 6 stitches
row one: knit 3 stitches, purl 3 stitches. repeate this to the end.
row two: you knit the knit and purl the purl.
to tell the difference between a knit stitch and purl stitch is that a purl stitch has bumps and knit stitches look like V’s
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips
click on ribbing.
Here’s a suggestion: try a seed stitch!
It’s so simple it’s great! Not monotonous, looks wonderfully different and it’s especially suited to lighter weight yarns.
Row 1: Knit 1, purl 1, continue.
Row 2: Purl 1, knit 1, continue.
You’ll notice that you are reversing the stitches you do; flipping them.
After a few rows, you’ll see the “seed” pattern emerging.
I love this stitch. Decorative, interesting, not too challenging but it’ll make you pay attention.
Best of all, this one CAN be knit while watching television!
Ribbing 3 x 3 would look good for a scarf.
Using 1 x 1, your scarf would have almost a stockinette appearance; the ribbing doesn’t show up distinctly in a scarf. The 2 x 2 ribbing (which is the most elastic ribbing) would look better than 1 x 1, but 3 x 3 would look even better.
A ribbing I like for scarves is “mistake stitch” ribbing. It’s done over a multiple of 4 + 3 sts (31, 35, or 38 sts are good widths for worsted yarns). The pattern is K2, P2 across the row, end P1. Every row follows the same stitch sequence. This web site has pictures: http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2008/01/mistake_rib_wha.php
With a fuzzy yarn I wouldn’t do a rib pattern. It will tighten up and your stitches will not be defined with the fuzz. A simple garter stitch knit where you simply knit and turn and continue to knit is easy, quick and will make a sturdy, two sided fabric. With fuzzy yarn you don’t need much fancy. Also, be aware that ribbing will not sit flat when you’re finished, but will tighten up and appear much smaller width. The finished look might not be what you’re aiming for.
Seed stitch, as was suggested above is also a good alternative. Or you can do a variation of seed stitch where you knit three, purl three and then reverse on the next row, so that you’re knitting into the purls and purling into the knits of the previous row. This is a simple stitch, which I have used for many prayer shawls and it goes pretty quickly, once you get the hang of it. Also,if you make a mistake, don’t worry about repairing it, just knit on! With the fuzzy yarn, no one will see that in your finished product!
Good luck and keep knitting.
Feel free to message me if you have any more questions.
R
There is a great online community for knitters and crochet artists called Ravelry.com. You might think about joining and you can find friends and support for all your projects. Tons of pattern sharing, fiber sharing and swaps and great camaraderie there!
A rib scarf looks best in anything other than the 1/1 rib. Some like it, but I don’t like doing it, and it doesn’t look as good to me. A 2/2 rib is nicer, and has more elasticity
But you can do a rib in any combination you want. A 3/1 rib looks good too, and many other ways to do them. Remember that a scarf needs to look good on the other side as well. What looks good on one side may not be so good on the other.
If you are using a fuzzy yarn, then you are going to lose much of your patterning in the stitches. A garter stitch may be best in that situation. Stitch patterns look best in a smoother yarn.
You will only know what it looks like if you do it. That is why all professional knitters do the swatch. They always make a small sample, about 4 inches at least, to see how the pattern looks and how it feels. No matter what a book or someone says, you won’t know until you do it. So get out your needles and start knitting! Do several different patterns across the row, if you like, and see which you like best. It’s not a waste of time!
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