Easy Ribbing: Knit Two, Purl Two (K2, P2) Ribbing

Knit-2, purl-2 (K2, P2) ribbing is a great stretchy stitch pattern that is perfect for projects like baby hats and socks. This ribbing is very elastic; when stretched, the fabric naturally wants to snap back into place. In this video, Jen Lucas demonstrates how to work this ribbed pattern. This stitch pattern is also known as 2×2 ribbing, as you are knitting two stitches and then purling two stitches. It can be worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, or it can be worked over a multiple of 4+2 stitches, as demonstrated in the video, when working back and forth in rows.

K2, P2 Ribbing

Worked over a multiple of 4+2 stitches.

– Row 1 (RS): K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

– Row 2 (WS): P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Rep rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

Abbreviations

k: knit

p: purl

rep: repeat

RS: Right Side

WS: Wrong Side

Working over a multiple of 4 plus 2 stitches allows the ribbing to be centered on your fabric, which is a nice detail when working flat. In order to keep track of the right side and wrong side of the work, Jen recommends using a locking stitch marker to mark the right side of the fabric.