How to Knit the Seeded (Mistake) Rib Stitch for Beginners

Inside: Learn how to knit the Seeded (Mistake) Rib stitch pattern with written instructions, knitting charts for both flat and circular knitting and tutorial videos. Includes Blanket Square pattern in 2 common sizes!

Ribbing is not just for cuffs and hat brims!

Especially when you incorporate another stitch pattern into the ribbing. This seeded rib stitch pattern, also called the mistake rib stitch, uses the some strategically placed purl stitches to create extra deep ribs.

This beautifully textured stitch pattern doesn’t curl and works as a flat panel or in the round making it ideal for a variety of projects.

Multiples Explained: If there is a + sign after the multiple for a stitch pattern that means there is an extra step to figure out your cast on. For example, a stitch pattern tells you to cast on a multiple of 6+1. That means, first, you need to find a multiple of 6 that will give you the correct size project. For a washcloth using medium #4 weight cotton that would be 36 stitches. Then you need to ADD 1 more stitch to that, so your actual cast on would be 37 stitches for the project.

Abbreviations used in this stitch pattern:

K = Knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side

New to knitting? I’ve got a How to Knit Beginner Video Series to teach you ALL the basics.

1. Flat Seeded (Mistake) Rib Stitch

Cast on multiple of 4+1

Row 1 (RS): K2 *(P1, K3). Rep from * until 3 sts rem. P1, K2.
Row 2 (WS): *(P1, K3). Rep from * until 1 st rem. P1.

Rep Rows 1-2 until desired length. Bind off in pattern.

Flat Knit Seeded (Mistake) Rib Chart:

The area in red shows one full repeat of the stitch pattern.

2. In the Round Seeded (Mistake) Rib Stitch

Cast on multiple of 4.

Round1: K2 *(P1, K3). Rep from * until 2 sts rem. P1, K1.
Round 2: *(K1, P3). Rep from * to end of round.

Rep Rounds 1-2 until desired length. Bind off in pattern.

Circular Knit Seeded (Mistake) Rib Chart:

The area in red shows one full repeat of the stitch pattern.

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PATTERN! Seeded (Mistake) Rib Stitch Blanket Square

By Kristen Mangus

A downloadable PDF of this pattern is available in my Etsy store or from Ravelry at the links below:

Pattern includes written instructions for 2 square sizes, knitting chart and links to fully captioned tutorial videos.

MATERIALS

(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links cost you nothing, but helps support GKK.) 

Yarn
Medium (#4) worsted weight yarn
Red Heart Super Saver in Light Blue used in sample.

Needles
US 7 (4.5 mm) needles
Prym US 7 24” circular needle used in sample.

Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

ABBREVIATIONS

K = Knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side

GAUGE

21.25 sts x 27 rows in 4” in seeded (mistake) rib stitch pattern

SKILL LEVEL Easy

MEASUREMENTS 

Option 1: 7” x 9” (18 cm x 23 cm) [This size is the standard used by Warm Up America.]
Option 2: 12” x 12” (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)

NOTES

I’ve included two square sizes in this pattern that are commonly used to make blankets.  

The stitch pattern is a multiple of 4+1 if you want to change the size.

INSTRUCTIONS

Cast on 37 (65) sts.

Row 1 (RS): K2 *(P1, K3). Rep from * until 3 sts rem. P1, K2.
Row 2 (WS): *(P1, K3). Rep from * until 1 st rem. P1.

Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 9” (12”) or until desired length. Bind off in pattern.

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Video Tutorial

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Right handed

Left handed