Twisted Rib & Cluster Knitting Stitch Pattern
Little puffed clusters sitting between twisted ribs. It has a ribbing effect, so it hugs a little, and it stretches beautifully when worn.
I filmed this design from a few angles because it looks so different depending on how the light falls on it. It's a rib at heart, with small puffed clusters in one column and a neat right twist in the other. Because of the ribbing it pulls in a little, but stretch it and it opens right up, which makes it lovely for anything fitted.
Stitch count
Multiples of 9. I teach it on 27 stitches; the swatch is 45. With the edge stitches, the last repeat ends without its twist, as you'll see below.
What you'll need
- Any wool or yarn, such as a smooth wool, merino or acrylic
- Knitting needles to suit your yarn
Two foundation rows
These set up the ribs. They're only knitted once, at the start.
- Foundation row 1 (RS)
Knit the first stitch. *Purl 2, knit 3, purl 2, knit 2.* Repeat. When 8 stitches remain: purl 2, knit 3, purl 2, knit 1 (edge).
- Foundation row 2 (WS)
Slip 1. Work the stitches as they appear: *knit 2, purl 3, knit 2, purl 2.* Repeat, ending with knit 2, purl 3, knit 2, purl 1.
The 4-row pattern
- Row 1 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Purl 2. With the yarn in front, purl the next 3 stitches together but don't drop them. Wrap the yarn over, purl the same 3 together again, wrap again, and purl them together once more: 3 stitches have become 5. Take the first yarn-over loop (the 2nd of the five), lift it over the others and pick it back up from behind. Purl 2. Then right twist: knit the 2nd stitch without dropping it, knit the 1st stitch, and drop both.* Repeat. When 8 remain: purl 2, make the 5 from 3 again, purl 2, knit 1.
- Row 2 (WS):wrong side
Slip 1. *Knit 2. Of the five: purl the first (the lifted one), then purl 2 together, then purl 2 together again, so 5 become 3. Knit 2, purl 2 (the twisted stitches).* Repeat, ending with knit 2, the 5-into-3, knit 2, purl 1.
- Row 3 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Purl 2, knit 3 plain (no clusters this time), purl 2, right twist.* Repeat, ending with purl 2, knit 3, purl 2, knit 1.
- Row 4 (WS):wrong side
Slip 1. Work the stitches as they appear: *knit 2, purl 3, knit 2, purl 2.* Repeat, ending with knit 2, purl 3, knit 2, purl 1.
Repeat these 4 rows for as long as you need. The cluster step is much easier to follow by watching, so keep the video open for the first repeat.
Where to use it
Because it's stretchy and textured, it's lovely for sweaters and cardigans for women and children, and for hats and mufflers too.
- knitting stitch pattern
- twisted rib
- cluster stitch
- rib pattern
- textured knitting
- sweater pattern
- hand knitting
- wool
