How to crochet ribbing

If you’re on the hunt for a crochet ribbing to add to your sweater, beanie, or any other project, I have you covered! Here you will learn how to crochet a relly nice knit-looking fabric that’s stretchy, but fitted and always reverts back to form.

If you can single crochet, then with my step by step picture and VIDEO tutorial below, you can easily learn how to start your project with a crochet ribbing and how to add the perfect crochet ribbing to your project.

Crochet ribbing is one of the most useful techniques as it can have a place in lots of crochet projects.

The list is endless, but most commonly the crochet ribbing can be used as edging on garments such as socks, sweaters, gloves or scarves and cowls.

Although, there are many other methods to adding a ribbed edge to your crochet item, I’ll share with you my favourite crochet ribbing technique.

Please keep in mind that because ribbed edgings are intended to snug fit, you generally work them with a hook that is half a size or one size smaller than the one used for the body of the project.

Here are my FREE patterns featuring this amazing ribbing technique:

1. Meadow Lace Shrug /2. Ombre Moss Stitch Cowl /3. Cable Diamond Blanket /4. Mosaic Cropped Sweater

Stitches & Abbreviations (US terms)

ch – chain stitch

st(s) – stitch(es)

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

yo – yarn over

BLsc – back loop only single crochet

TIP: To view this crochet ribbing video tutorial properly, please disable any ad-blocker you have running.

HOW TO START YOUR CROCHET PROJECT WITH A CROCHET RIBBING

STEP 1:

Figure out how wide you’d like your crochet ribbing to be and then work a starting chain of your desired length.

In my example: chain 8 plus turning chain. Then, you will be working in rows.

Row 1:  sc in the second chain from the hook, sc in every sts to end. Turn

Row 2: ch (doesn’t count as a sc here and throughout), sc in first stitch, BLsc until last st remain, sc in last st. Turn.

Now simply repeat Row 2 until desired length of your crochet ribbing has been reached.

STEP 2:

Now fold your crochet ribbing in half and use slip stitches to join last and first row together.

STEP 3:

Turn your crochet ribbing inside out.

If you are going to work the rest of your project with the same color as your ribbing simply continue with the same yarn. For better visualization, I will change the yarn to contrasting color, so you can easily see where I work the stitches.

With the bigger hook, make chain 1 and work single crochet around your crochet ribbing – one single crochet stitch in each ribbing’s row. Then slip stitch to the first single crochet to close the round.

You should have as many single crochet stitches as many rows you’ve made in STEP 1.

HOW TO ADD A CROCHET RIBBING AT THE END

After working the last row of the main body, you will be adding the ribbed edge onto your project. So don’t break the yarn and simply continue working the ribbing, unless you just want to change the color.

Because I want you to see the stitches more easily I will change the yarn for contrasting color.

STEP 1:

Take a hook a half or one size smaller than you used for the main body of your project and make a chain of your desired ribbing length (plus one chain for the turning chain).

Please note that the ribbed edge will be worked in rows.

In my example: chain 6 plus turning chain.

Row 1: starting with 2nd chain from hook, work 1 sc in each ch back to edge of your project. Join to the next st of the edge of your project using sl st and work one more sl st in the next st of your project (2 sl sts in total for joining) plus make ch1. Turn.

Row 2: Starting from 3rd st from hook (skip 3 first stitches), sc in first st, BLsc until last st remain, sc in last st. (2 sc and 4 BLscs in my example). Turn.

Row 3: ch1 (does not count as a sc), sc in first st, BLsc until the last st remain, sc in last st (2 sc and 4 BLsc in my example). Join to the next st of the edge of your project using sl st and work one more sl st in the next st of your project (2 sl sts in total for joining) plus make ch1. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until you reach beginning Row 1. Then turn your project inside out and join the last row with the first row using the slip stitches. Turn back. Cut the yarn and fasten off.

I hope that clears up any confusion! If you enjoyed this tutorial, keep reading and check out my other tutorials HERE. 

Thank you for stopping by and Happy Crocheting!

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