I am showing my age – ha! ha! I must admit that when I started this article off with the title of “Let’s Twist”, as in knitting the Plaited Ribbing for the Easy Elegance Mitts, I wanted to start singing ala Chubby Checker.
Getting back to knitting …
Plaited Ribbing is a variation of k1, p1 ribbing that alternates rounds of the knit stitch being worked as a k1 twist to the left with a rounds of that knit stitch twisted to the right. This keeps the twisted column of ribbed stitches balanced, while giving a bit tighter definition of the knit column of stitches than in regular ribbing.
The k1tblB Special Technique for Plaited Ribbing
To make Plaited Ribbing easier to do without remounting stitches for the right-twisted stitch, I have included instructions for the k1tblB in the Abbreviations and Special Techniques section of your Easy Elegance Mitts pattern. Here is a recap:
* k1tblB wrapping yarn clockwise to avoid re-mounting the stitch for a right-twisted stitch (k1tblB = k1tbl to twist the stitch to the left + wrapping yarn in opposite direction of normal)
Reverse-mounted Stitch
* k1tfl on following row of a k1tblB st completes the right-twisted stitch
Knitting into Front Loop of Reverse-mounted Stitch
Substituting Plain k1, p1 Ribbing
I will qualify this by also saying that if you have a highly textured yarn, the extra definition of Plaited Ribbing is probably not going to show up. So doing a plain k1, p1 ribbing can be substituted without little consequence.
In smooth yarn, however, the difference between Plaited Ribbing and plain k1, p1 Ribbing is quite striking. Here is a visual comparison to see it for yourself!
Lower: Plaited Ribbing
Upper: Plain k1, p1 ribbing
Substituting k1tbl, p1 Ribbing
You could substitute k1tbl, p1 ribbing for the Plaited Ribbing, but that is likely to bias to the left (especially if doing for a longer length such as in the wrist area of the mitts). Even with alternating a round of k1, p1 with a round of k1tbl, p1 — my experience is that most yarns will skew.
Bottom line
I suggest using either
1. the Plaited Ribbing as given in the pattern, or
2. a simple k1, p1.
The Plaited Ribbing will show up best in smooth, yarns. For textured yarns, a simple k1, p1 is ok to substitute.
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I tried the plated ribbing twice so far, maybe I am just not understanding something in the twist procedure. It came out looking the same as my regular k1p1 rib.
My daughter now owns a lovely pair of these slouchy mitts in cascade cherub dk in a very pale pink. She’s 3 years old so the lighter yarn worked perfectly for her size as the pattern is written fo large size…with some accidental modifications.
After you do the plaited ribbing, it IS basically going to look like regular k1, p1 ribbing (except that the bases of the loops in the knit column of stitches will alternately be twisted right and left). It is a subtle detail, that best shows up in smooth, firm yarns. A regular k1, p1 ribbing is fine to substitute.
Do you have a good close-up of the ribbing area on the Mitts you made? I can take a look at it and see if I can help point out what you may or may not have done. Before that though, you might try looking at some plaited ribbing and regular k1, p1 ribbing side-by-side and see if you notice the difference in what you have done.
Wonderful that your daughter got the Mitts. Remember that you can post to the Photo page here (or send a picture to me and I will get it posted for you).
I’m sorry I couldn’t understand the plaited ribbing from just the words; I just used k1tbl. It still came out lovely.
That’s fine. Glad it worked out for you (and btw your Mitts are lovely — I hope you will post a picture on the Photo page — let me know if you need help). Maybe with the additional info here, you can try the plaited ribbing at a future time.