You've bookmarked the pattern that you've admired on Pinterest. But every time you're about to use the technique, something stops you; it looks complicated. It isn't. Here's everything you need to start this weekend.
It's Fisherman's rib, and once you understand two things (what the stitch does and how to alternate colors), you're ready to cast on your first project on wooden knitting needles from Lantern Moon.
This guide covers everything from scratch: the stitch, the tools, the technique, and what to make once you've got it down.
What Is Fisherman's Rib Stitch? (And How It Differs from Regular Ribbing)
You probably know 1×1 ribbing, knit one, purl one, all the way across. It's the standard on cuffs, hat brims, and hems. Reliable, but flat.
On the other hand, Fisherman's rib uses the same structure with one small change: instead of knitting into the stitch on your needle, you knit into the stitch one row below. That's called the knit-one-below stitch, or K1B.
That single change transforms the fabric. The stitches compress and pull together, creating deep, raised columns that look almost braided.
And the result is fabric that is:
- Twice as thick as regular ribbing
- More stretchy than 1×1 rib
- Reversible — identical on both sides
- Flat, no curling at the edges
This makes it ideal for scarves, cowls, and hats where both sides of the fabric are visible.
With that foundation in place, here's where it gets interesting.
Read More: Beginner’s Guide to Knit Rib Stitches
Fisherman's Rib vs. Double Knitting
These two get mixed up often because both produce a thick, cushiony fabric. But they're quite different in practice.
Double knitting creates two separate fabric layers simultaneously. You manage two yarns at once and track two independent layers as you work; it's genuinely complex.
Fisherman's rib creates one layer that feels double-thick, because K1B compresses the rows together. It's significantly simpler, and the fabric grows faster. If you're comfortable with 1×1 rib, Fisherman's rib is a natural next step.
A Quick Comparison Table:
|
Feature |
1x1 Rib |
Fisherman's Rib |
Double Knitting |
Thickness |
Thin |
Double-thick |
Double-thick |
Complexity |
Easy |
Easy Medium |
Advanced |
Reversible |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Colorwork |
No |
Yes (1 yarn at a time) |
Yes (2 yarns at once) |
Best For |
Cuffs, hems |
Scarves, hats, cowls |
Structured garments |
So What Does the Second Color Actually Do?
When you work Fisherman's rib with two colors, each color naturally fills every other rib column. On the front of your fabric, Color A pops forward, and Color B recedes. Flip it over, and they swap. It's reversible colorwork, two coordinated sides without any extra effort.
The good news is: you only ever work with one color at a time. You alternate colors row by row. No stranding, no carrying yarn across the back, no managing two yarns at once. Just Color A for one row, Color B for the next. That's it.
Best Knitting Needles for Fisherman's Rib
Don't worry about buying lots of tools for a two-color Fisherman's rib, but the ones you choose to knit really matter.
Because you're inserting your needle into a stitch one row below on every single K1B, you need needles that are precise, smooth, and easy to control.
- Wooden knitting needles grip yarn just slightly more than metal needles do. That slight grip is exactly what you want for textured stitches like Fisherman's rib. Lantern Moon's ebony needles are handcrafted, smooth enough for yarn to glide but textured enough to keep your work in place.
- When you're alternating two colors and tracking rows simultaneously, it's easy to lose your place. Stitch markers for rib knitting keep your work organized.
- Choose high-contrast colors (like a deep forest green and a cream) to see your stitches clearly. A smooth, worsted-weight wool is perfect for beginners.
- A circular knitting needle set is actually a better choice here, even if you're knitting flat, since two-color work often requires sliding stitches back to work the second color.
How to Knit the K1B (Knit One Below) Stitch: Step-by-Step
Here's how the K1B stitch actually works.
In a normal knit stitch, you insert your right needle into the stitch on your left needle and knit it. Simple.
On the other hand, K1B (knit one below): Skip the stitch on your left needle. Insert your right needle into the stitch directly below it, one row down. You'll see a V-shape sitting below the working stitch. That V is your target. Knit into it normally. The stitch above will drop off automatically and join the new stitch.
The result is a longer, deeper stitch that pulls two rows together into one raised column.
Here are Some Practical Tips:
- When you start, go slow because speed comes after the motion feels natural, not before.
- Make sure you keep loose tension, because the tight stitches make the stitch below hard to enter.
- Before inserting your needle, find the V, look for the V-shape below. Once you train your eye to spot it, the stitch becomes automatic.
- Also use a sharp needle tip. A blunt tip makes this stitch unnecessarily difficult. Interchangeable circular sets such as Heirloom or Glory from Lantern Moon are ideal here, giving you the flexibility of a long cord and the ability to switch tip sizes if your tension feels too tight.
How to Knit Fisherman's Rib: Flat and In the Round
Knitting Flat:
This means you're knitting back and forth in rows, for a scarf, a panel, or a flat fabric piece.
Here is the basic sequence:
- Start by casting on an even number of stitches with Color A. Use a long-tail or cable cast-on.
- Set up Row (Color A): K1, P1 across. This is necessary so both colors start from the same end of your needle.
- Row 1 (Color B): K1B, P1 across. Turn work.
- Row 2 (Color A): K1B, P1 across. Slide the work back without turning.
- Repeat Rows 1 and 2, alternating colors each time.
The sliding step is why you need circular needles. Don't skip it, it's what keeps your colors in the right position.
Working in the Round:
Working in the round means knitting in a continuous loop, for hats, cowls, or sleeves. You don’t need to overcomplicate it.
The process is similar, but simpler: instead of turning your work, you just keep going around. Switch colors at the beginning of each round. Place a stitch marker at the join so you always know where each round starts.
Many beginners actually find working in the round easier because there's no turning step, and color alternation becomes a natural rhythm.
What to Make With Two-Color Fisherman's Rib
Now that you know the stitch and the technique, here are three projects to start with.
1. Scarf Pattern: Start by casting on 20–30 stitches, pick two colors you love, and knit until the scarf is as long as you want. No shaping, no complexity, just the rhythm of K1B and color alternation. This is the project that makes the stitch feel like yours.
2. Headband or Hat Pattern: A hat is a great first project in the round. A hat in two-color Fisherman's rib can be easily completed on weekends. The natural stretch means one size fits most heads.
3. Cowl Pattern: The most-loved project for this stitch. A simple cowl in two contrasting colors instantly stands out in your wardrobe. Wearing a cowl actually shows off both sides of the fabric in real use, something flat pieces don't do.
Gauge Swatch Tips for Fisherman's Rib
Fisherman's rib behaves differently with gauge than most stitches, and a slight change can make a big difference. Keep these points in mind when you start your project.
- Cast on at least 30 stitches and work 4 inches minimum.
- You can measure in two ways: relaxed and slightly stretched. Fisherman's ribs are very elastic. The unstretched measurement tells you how it hangs; the stretched measurement tells you what it can accommodate.
- Go up one needle size from the yarn label. Because K1B compresses the fabric vertically, many knitters consistently get a tighter gauge than expected. Going up a needle size often corrects this.
- Swatch with both colors. If your two yarns have different fiber content or different plying, they can create subtly different tensions.
Two-Color Fisherman's Rib: Key Takeaways
Here's something honest: Two-color Fisherman's rib is not a difficult stitch. But it is a stitch where your tools show up in every single row. Every K1B, every color switch, every stitch marker movement, the quality of your needles and knitting accessories directly affects how smooth or how frustrating that experience feels.
Two-color Fisherman's rib is the kind of technique you reach for again and again, for gifts, yourself, projects that need to look impressive without requiring advanced skills.
Ready to start? Buy Lantern Moon's Interchangeable circular sets everything you need for your first two-color project, in one kit.
New to knitting? Read our Beginner's Guide to Knit Rib Stitches. Visit our blog for further details.
FAQs:
1. What type of yarn works best for two-color fisherman's rib stitch?
A. You can choose smooth, medium-weight yarns that have a good stitch definition. Two contrasting colors make your pattern stand out.
2. Is Fisherman's rib the same as double knitting?
A. No, they are not the same. Fisherman's rib focuses on texture and stretch, while double knitting creates two separates but connected layers of fabric.
3. What needles do I need for Fisherman's rib?
A. No special needles are required. You can use the same needles you would for regular Fisherman's Rib. The most important thing is to choose a size that gives you an even, relaxed fabric and to make a small swatch to check your gauge before starting your project.
4. Can you knit Fisherman's rib in the round?
A. Yes, Fisherman's Rib can be knitted in the round. In fact, many knitters prefer this method for projects like hats, cowls, and sweater collars because it creates a seamless, stretchy fabric.
5. Is two-color Fisherman's Rib suitable for beginners?
A. Yes, beginners can learn this technique with a little practice. If you know basic knit and purl stitches, you can gradually master the color changes and special rib stitches.