DOUBLE KNIT 1X1 RIBBED CAST-ON
An attractive and stretchy cast-on method for 1X1 ribbing.
Requirements:
Crochet hook 2 sizes larger than the needles you are using
needles of the required size for the yarn you are using.
Spare yarn in a different colour C2
Main working yarn for your project. MC
Abbreviations:
M1K1 Make one by Yarnover method. Bring yarn forward as if to purl the next stitch. Leaving the yarn at the front when knitting the next stitch will create a loop over the needle which becomes another stitch when knitted on the next row.
S1p slip 1 stitch purlwise
Byf bring yarn forward ( to front)
Byb bring yarn back ( to back)
With C2 and the crochet hook, make a chain length of half the number of stitches required plus 1, pull the tail end through last loop. eg if your pattern requires 40 sts to cast on, then make a chain of 21.
With your needle pick up the half the required stitches (bump loops on the back of the chain) +1 eg if you need 40 stitches then pick up 21 chain bumps.
Row 1: knit into the bump of the last chain crocheted with MC, *M1K1. Repeat from * to end. Make sure to finish on a K1.
Row 2: slip the first stitch purlwise, knit the yarn over from the previous row, *Byf S1p Byb K1 repeat from * to last stitch S1p.
Row 3: *K1 Byf S1p Byb. Repeat from * to last stitch K1.
Row 4: S1p * K1 Byf S1p Byb. Repeat from * to end.
Row 5: Repeat row 3 to last stitch S1p.
Row 6: K2 *P1 K1 repeat from * to last stitch S1p.
Row:7 P2 *K1 P1 repeat from * to last stitch S1p.
Continue with Rows 6 and 7 until work measures the required length
Remove the crocheted edge by undoing the loop at the first stitch and pulling it out gently, weave in end of MC
I find that you can continue with a 2X2 ribbing for a cable pattern quite easily from a 1 x1 rib if you need to.
I have yet to devise a similar method for 2X2 or larger ribbing.