Shell Rib Knitting Stitch Pattern
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Add a little bit of a twist & lace to your next knitted project with this Shell Rib Knitting Stitch. Learn different techniques to master your knitting skills!
About the Stitch
This faux cable stitch is easier than it looks! It’s a 4-row repeat, that has increases and decrease, and no need for a cable needle. The faux cables are knit in a ribbing pattern
This Shell Rib Stitch consists of 2 rows of increase and decrease stitches to create this unique stitch knitted fabric.
If you’re knitting a stockinette stitch sweater or scarf and you’d like to add this cable pattern, having a few reverse stockinette (all purl stitches) on either side of your faux cable will give it more definition, so it “pops.”
This is not a reversible pattern, meaning that the front and back are not the same.
There aren’t any increases or decreases, so you should always have the same number of stitches on the needles.
Skill level: Intermediate / Advanced Beginner Knitter
Yarn, Needles & Notions
Yarn Weight: Super Bulky Yarn
Yardage: 35-45 yds (32 – 41 meters)
Suggested Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
Needle Size: US 11 (8 mm) Knitting Needles
Darning Needle / Tapestry Needle / Yarn Needle
Scissors
* I like using circular needles or DPN’s for a small swatch, it’s easier on my hands than full length straight needles
Yarn Substitutions
You can use any yarn you’d like. To get the right gauge, start with the recommended needle size. If you’re stitches are too loose, use smaller needles and if you’re stitches are too tight use larger needles.
Video Tutorial
Learn the Shell Rib Knit Stitch in this row-by-row video tutorial where you’ll knit lacy faux cables with reverse stockinette stitch panels.
Music by Ben Sound
*Check out some of my other Cable Knit Stitches.
Shell Rib Stitch Swatch Pattern Instructions
Knit flat using straight needles:
CO in multiples of 5
Row 1 = Right side/Front
Row 1 (RS): P1 *K3, P2* K3, P1
Row 2 (WS): K1 *P3, K2* P3, K1
Row 3 (RS): P1 *S1PW, K2TOG, PSSO, P2* S1PW, K2TOG, PSSO, P1
Row 4 (WS): K1 *PKP, K2* PKP, K1
Repeat rows 1-4, until desired length.
On row 3, decrease 2 stitches per repeat, so you’ll have a lot more stitches on your needle at the end of the row.
On row 4, increase 2 stitches per repeat, so at the end of the row you should have the same number of stitches you cast-on.
Cable Stitch Inspiration
This is one of my favorite stitches to create a unique texture fabric!
Suggested Project Ideas:
Blankets
Shawls
Socks
Mittens
Scarves
Sweater Sleeves
Suggested Trim:
Basic Rib Stitch
Seed Stitch
Garter Stitch
Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques
* – * – repeat between *asterisks* to the end of the round
BO – bind-off
CO – cast-on
K – knit stitches (example: K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
K2TOG – knit 2 stitches together
P – purl stitches (example: P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
PKP – purl 1, knit 1, purl 1 into one stitch
PSSO – pass slipped stitch over
RS – rights side of work
S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side of work
Shell Rib Stitch Swatch Pattern Instructions Download
Equipment
- Knitting Needles (Recommended Size for Yarn)
Materials
- Any Yarn
Instructions
Knit flat using straight needles:
- CO in multiples of 5
- Row 1 (RS): P1 *K3, P2* K3, P1
- Row 2 (WS): K1 *P3, K2* P3, K1
- Row 3 (RS): P1 *S1PW, K2TOG, PSSO, P2* S1PW, K2TOG, PSSO, P1
- Row 4 (WS): K1 *PKP, K2* PKP, K1
- Repeat rows 1-4, until desired length.
Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques
- * – * – repeat between *asterisks* to the end of the round
- BO – bind-off
- CO – cast-on
- K – knit stitches (example: K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
- K2TOG – knit 2 stitches together
- P – purl stitches (example: P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
- PKP – purl 1, knit 1, purl 1 into one stitch
- PSSO – pass slipped stitch over
- RS – rights side of work
- S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
- STS – stitches