The Shaker’s Rib stitch is very airy, light and extremely stretchy member of the Rib Stitch family.

This stitch, like most rib stitches produces a reversible fabric which is extremely stretchy, considerably more so than other rib stitches making it an ideal choice for hats.

However, as like most rib stitches it is readily applicable to any part of most projects but especially lends itself to fitted areas or projects due to its ability to expand/retract and keep its shape.

So, what is the Shaker’s Rib Stitch? The stitch goes beyond simple knit and purl stitching – involving repeating patterns of slip stitches in the even (wrong side) rows and knitting two together in the odd (right-side) rows, interlaced with knit and purl stitches, respectively.

Instructions

Cast on the required number of odd stitches for your project. Start the project with a foundation row with a repeating purl one, knit one pattern; purling the last stitch.

Starting row 1 repeat the pattern of knitting one, then with the yarn in front of your work slip one purlwise. Repeat this pattern until the last stitch and knit it. The 2nd-row pattern is purl one, then knit two together (the two stitches you are knitting will consist of the knit stitch plus the yarnover from the previous row). Repeat this pattern until the last stitch and purl it.

Once you have completed row 2, simply reverse the fabric and continue repeating rows 1-2 until you have the desired size.

Traditional Instructions

Foundation Row: *p1, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch of the row; p1.
Row 1: *k1, s1 yfwd; repeat from * to the last stitch; k1.
Row 2: *p1, k2tog; repeat from * to the last stitch; p1.

Repeat rows 1-2 to desired length.

Shaker’s Rib Stitch Chart

Shaker’s Rib Stitch Swatch Examples