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How to Knit Half Fisherman Rib Stitch

The half fisherman rib stitch knitting pattern is a classic, easy pattern, so I wanted to share about it today! It’s simple enough for beginners, but fun and pretty for anyone. I love it because it doesn’t curl like stockinette yet looks almost like a mix of stockinette and ribbing.  

You’ll find the full, free written pattern below, as well as a step-by-step picture tutorial to help you along as well! 

You can also check out this Big Knit Scarf that I made with the stitch pattern.

The other awesome thing about this stitch is that it’s completely beginner friendly so just about anyone can do it once they can knit and purl.  The only thing that might be new for some knitters will be that you will make a k1b, which means knit one below.

You’ll see how easy it is in the pictures and video link below, so let’s get started! 🙂

Half Fisherman Rib Stitch Knitting Pattern

Cast on stitches in a multiple of 2 + 1

Row 1 Knit across row

Row 2 *P1, k1b across to last stitch, repeat from * across, purl last stitch of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your piece is as long as you’d like

Below: Cast on stitches and knit across first row

Below: Row 2 Purl first stitch (you can slip the first stitch purl wise to ensure a straight edge)

Below: Knit one below (notice how the needle goes into the stitch below rather than the stitch on the needle)

Below: Slide the knitted stitch off of the needle (both the stitch below and the stitch on the needle) Repeat the p1, k1b pattern across the row

Below: Now you will repeat rows 1 and 2. Here we are knitting across the row.

And HERE is a terrific video tutorial on the Half Fisherman Rib Stitch on YouTube

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful, classic, stitch! If you’re a fan of ribbed knitting stitches, you might also like these!

More Ribbed Knit Stitch Patterns:

My Ribbed Knit Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Easy Chunky Ribbed Knit Hat Pattern

XO,

Jessica

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9 Comments

    1. I agree I think this is the best I’ve seen so far. I’m just learning how to knit after deciding I’m not patient enough for crochet and it’s a bunch of knots. I am trying to decide what I want to make that is small so I can be able to say I know how since I have no life and my goal is to know as much as humanly possible about as much as humanly possible. I am trying to figure out the difference as far as why it’s necessary to do the knit and ourl with the being not very different and how you would knot 1 and purl 2 just because it’s what I always heard on TV. Do they mean rows or stiches when that is said(if you know what I’m referring to)

  1. I love the Fisherman stitch once I get used to the K1b! Looking forward to the Half Fisherman. I have agreed to knit a hat for a woman who wants it to be warm. (After teaching myself to knit mittens as a newlywed, my next project was a sweater for my husband in the fisherman stitch. (It took two summers to finish because I could not see to knit the black yarn I had chosen during the winter!)

  2. How many would you cast on for a cowl and does this pattern work out in the round or would you need to knit flat and sew together?

    1. You absolutely can knit this in the round! To start cast on an even number of stitches. For the first round k1,p1 to the end of the round. For the second round k1, p1b (purl one below) to the end of the round. Repeat the first and second rounds until you’ve reached your desired length!

  3. I remember Wilma used to always say “knit 1, purl 2” when she was knitting on The Flintstones. Is that what you’re thinking of? That was stitches on a row, not rows. What it would look like would depend on the stitch count. It is a 3 stitch repeat (1 knit + 2 purl), so if it was done in multiples of 3, it create a kind of ribbing.

  4. Do I have to adjust a stockinette pattern when using this stitch? Wanting to make a slouchy cardigan and thinking about the row increases for the sleeves – would it be the same amount of rows for Fisherman’s Rib stitch as it would be for stockinette?

  5. The text is so light on this site I can barely read it. Is there a way I can make the text darker?

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