Adding a Ribbed Border
Hi there, yarnie!
You ever have those those projects where you can’t start with a ribbing when you need one: top-down beanies, top down sweaters that need cuffs or cinched hems, or a simple textured edging to use on blankets or trim the opening of a sweater. Sure, you can work a front post / back post double crochet ribbing, but those can be bulky and stiff. A back loop only single crochet ribbing is a much better option and today I’m going to show you how to add it to your work at the end of your project without having to sew it on.
This tutorial uses the following terminology, stitches, and abbreviations:
- Chain (ch)
- Stitch(es) (st(s))
- Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Single Crochet (sc)
- Back Loop Only (BLO)
- Right Side (RS): the front side of your project
- Wrong Side (WS): the back side of your project
- Body: the main of your project that the ribbing is being applied to
- Forward Row: the rows worked moving away from the body
- Return Row: the rows worked moving toward the body
Before We Get Started
There are two quick things you need to know before starting this technique. The first is that you need to know how to single crochet into the back loop only in turned rows. Chances are that if you’re here, you’re probably already familiar with this. The second is that this technique produces a distinct right and wrong side (or front and back side) to your fabric. Therefore, if your project has a distinct right and wrong side to it, you’ll need to attach your yarn for the ribbing with the front side facing you.
In the graphic below, you can see how the front/right side of the fabric looks much cleaner compared to the back/wrong side. This may not be a big deal if you’re using the same color for the ribbing as for the body, but if you choose to work with a different color, it’s going to stand out.
On to the Tutorial!
For this tutorial, I’m using a swatch of even moss stitch as the “body” of my work. If you’re interested in that tutorial, click here to learn how to make it! I will be working a short ribbing of 5 single crochets. We’ll be working two types of rows. The forward rows will be the rows you work moving away from the body of your project and the return rows will be those you work moving back toward the body. Here are a few good rules of thumb to remember as you work this technique.
Rules of Thumb
1. Attach ribbing yarn to the front/right side of your project.
2. You’ll always work 2 sl sts at the end of your return rows, one to anchor the return row and one to set up the next forward row.
3. Always count your stitches to make sure you don’t accidentally add/omit stitches, which can happen easily near the body.
Start with the right side or front side of your work facing you and attach your ribbing yarn to the stitch you plan to begin your ribbing. Chain to the desired length of ribbing +1 for the turning chain. For this sample, I’ll be working a ribbing of 5 single crochets, so I’ll have a starting chain of 6.
Video Tutorial
If you want to see this stitch in action, I’ve recorded a video tutorial for you as well!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If there’s a stitch you’d like to see me make a tutorial for, let me know in the comments below!
Until next time!
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One Comment
satyam rastogi
Nice post ??