Serpent Rib Knitting Stitch Pattern

Learn how to knit the Serpent Rib Knitting Stitch in this Video Tutorial. Create a wavy fabric with this cable knit stitch.

Swatch of the Serpent Rib Knitting Stitch Pattern on a wood table.Pin

About the Stitch

This cable stitch is easier than it looks! It’s an 8-row repeat, but only 2 rows have cable stitches.

This Serpent Rib Cable Stitch consists of 2 cable stitches using 4 stitches each. On one row you’ll create a right leaning and then a few rows later you’ll create a left leaning cable stitch.

If you’re knitting a stockinette stitch sweater or hat and you’d like to add this cable pattern, having a few reverse stockinette / purl stitches on either side of your 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
Yardage: 35-45 yds (32 – 41 meters)
Suggested Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
Needle Size: US 11 (8 mm) Knitting Needles
Cable Needle
Darning Needle / Tapestry NeedleYarn 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

Music by Ben Sound

*Check out some of my other Cable Knit Stitches.

Serpent Rib Stitch Swatch Pattern Instructions

Knit flat using straight needles:

CO in multiples of 6
Row 1 = Right side/Front

Row 1, 5: P1 *K4, P2* K4, P1
Row 2, 4, 6, 8: K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
Row 3: P1 *C4B, P2* C4B, P1
Row 7: P1 *C4F, P2* C4F, P1
Repeat rows 1-8, until desired length.

Checklist

Knit flat using straight needles:
CO in multiples of 6 (even number of stitches)

Row 1 (RS): P1 *K4, P2* K4, P1
Row 2 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
Row 3 (RS): P1 *C4B, P2* C4B, P1
Row 4 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
Row 5 (RS): P1 *K4, P2* K4, P1
Row 6 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
Row 7 (RS): P1 *C4F, P2* C4F, P1
Row 8 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
Repeat rows 1-8, until desired length.

Cable Stitch Inspiration

This is one of my favorite stitches to create a thick & wavy fabric! 

Suggested Project Ideas:
Scarves
Socks
Sweaters
Blankets
Shawl

Suggested Trim:
Basic Rib Stitch
Seed Stitch
Garter Stitch

Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques

* – * – repeat between *asterisks* to the end of the round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
C4B – cable 4 back – right leaning cable – transfer 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the back of your work, knit the next 2 stitches and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
C4F – cable 4 front – left leaning cable – transfer 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the front of your work, knit the next 2 stitches and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side of work
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side of work

Serpent Rib Stitch Swatch Pattern Instructions

This Serpent Rib Cable Stitch consists of 2 cable stitches using 4 stitches each. On one row you’ll create a right leaning and then a few rows later you’ll create a left leaning cable stitch.
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour

Equipment

Materials

  • Any Yarn

Instructions

Knit flat using straight needles

  • CO in multiples of 6 (even number of stitches)
  • Row 1 (RS): P1 *K4, P2* K4, P1
  • Row 2 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
  • Row 3 (RS): P1 *C4B, P2* C4B, P1
  • Row 4 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
  • Row 5 (RS): P1 *K4, P2* K4, P1
  • Row 6 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
  • Row 7 (RS): P1 *C4F, P2* C4F, P1
  • Row 8 (WS): K1 *P4, K2* P4, K1
  • Repeat rows 1-8, until desired length.

Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques

  • * – * – repeat between *asterisks* to the end of the round
  • BO – bind-off in pattern
  • CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
  • C4B – cable 4 back – right leaning cable – transfer 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the back of your work, knit the next 2 stitches and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
  • C4F – cable 4 front – left leaning cable – transfer 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the front of your work, knit the next 2 stitches and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
  • K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
  • P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
  • RS – right side of work
  • STS – stitches
  • WS – wrong side of work