How to Crochet Ribbing

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Ribbing is not just a decorative edging. It plays an important functional role in the fit of crocheted garments, keeping hats snug on your head, pulling in the cuffs on sweaters, and keeping your socks up! I’ll show you step by step how to make two kinds of crochet ribbing: slip stitch crochet ribbing and single crochet ribbing.

Above: In the Bristlecone Mitts, designed by Sue Perez, slip stitch crochet ribbing keeps the mitts snug against your wrists and fingers.

Slip Stitch Crochet Ribbing

Ribbing made with crochet slip stitches is very stretchy, with lots of spring. It also looks a lot like knitted ribbing. Here’s how to create slip stitch crochet ribbing:

Begin with a crochet chain. The length of your chain will determine the height of your ribbing. I’m starting with 11 chains: 10 for the ribbing plus 1 for the turning chain (Photo 1).

Insert hook in the second chain from the hook (Photo 2).

Yarn over the hook (Photo 3).

Draw the loop through both the chain and the loop on the hook (Photo 4). You’ve made your first slip stitch.

Slip stitch in each chain to end (Photo 5). To double check, count that you have made 10 slip stitches.

Chain 1 and turn the work. Identify the back loop of the last slip stitch made in the previous row and insert your hook (Photo 6).

Slip stitch in back loop only of this stitch (Photo 7).

Continue to slip stitch in back loop only of each stitch to end (Photo 8). To ensure straight edges on your ribbing, be careful not to skip the last slip stitch—it can be hard to see, and you might need to dig a bit to get into that back loop.

At the top, our finished sample of slip stitch crochet ribbing. On the bottom, look how much stretch this rib provides!

Repeat Steps 6-8, always working your slip stitches through the back loop only, until your ribbing is the length you desire.

The Grimm Hat by Sue Perez features slip stitch ribbing with a graphic twist

Slip-Stitch Ribbing in Action

While we worked our slip stitch rib sample straight, designer Sue Perez created a graphic diagonal rib for the Grimm Hat by using 2 colors and making a slight alteration at the beginning and end of every other row. You can find full details for this variation in the pattern.

Single Crochet Ribbing

The most commonly used crochet ribbing is made with single crochet stitches. Single crochet ribbing pulls in less than slip stitch ribbing, making it a good choice for the hems of sweaters.

Again, we’re beginning with chain 11: 10 stitches for the ribbing, plus 1 for the turning chain (Photo 1).

Insert hook in the second chain from the hook (Photo 2).

Yarn over the hook and pull the loop through the chain. You’ll have 2 loops on your hook (Photo 3).

Yarn over again (Photo 4).

Pull the loop through the 2 loops on the hook. You’ve made your first single crochet (Photo 5).

Continue to single crochet in each chain to the end (Photo 6). Count to be sure you’ve made 10 single crochets.

Chain 1 and turn the work (Photo 7).

Single crochet in the back loop only of the first single crochet (Photo 8). Continue to single crochet in the back loop only of each single crochet to end. To ensure straight edges on your ribbing, be careful not to skip the last stitch—it can be hard to see, and you might need to dig a bit to get into that back loop. Count to be sure you’ve made 10 single crochets in this row.

At the top, our finished sample of single crochet ribbing. On the bottom, single crochet ribbing stretched.]

Repeat Steps 7 and 8, always working your stitches through the back loop only, until your ribbing is the length you desire.

The Bordeaux Jacket by Robyn Chachula features single crochet ribbing at the waist, front bands, collar, and cuffs.

Single Crochet Ribbing in Action

Designer Robyn Chachula used single crochet ribbing on all the edges of the Bordeaux Jacket. This ribbing makes a functional button band and collar on this cropped, asymmetrical jacket.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re new to crochet ribbing, a headband makes an easy, functional practice piece. Pull some worsted weight yarn from your stash and begin by chaining 16—15 for the ribbing, plus 1 for the turning chain. Work the ribbing of your choice until you’ve made a strip about 16″ long, then join the ends of the strip by slip stitching them together. By the time you’re done, you’ll be a ribbing pro!

Sandi Rosner
Technical Content Editor, Yarn

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