Crochet Tips & Tricks

If you like to design crochet garments of any kind, crochet ribbing is a necessary skill to add to your crochet repertoire. Crochet ribbing consists of a combination of simple stitches, usually worked in the back loops only or using front or back post stitches to create ridges. All of these work beautifully, but I have a favorite…because not only does it looked knitted, it has a great stretch, like ribbing is intended to do.

Crochet ribbing doesn’t always come in traditional crochet style – check out my Tunisian crochet ribbing pattern and see if you like that one too! Tunisian crochet is a technique that reminds me of knitting, but it’s done with one hook and creates a thick fabric. Despite the pattern being a koozie…you can use this Tunisian crochet ribbing for garments too!

In this post you will learn 5 different Ways to Crochet Ribbing…

I’ve compiled 5 different crochet ribbing techniques – I hope you learn something new and can use them on all your beautiful projects!

• Single Crochet Ribbing
• Double Crochet Ribbing
• Combo Half Double Crochet & Single Crochet Crochet Ribbing
• Single Crochet & Slip Stitch Crochet Ribbing
• Front Post Half Double Crochet & Single Crochet Combo – Crochet Ribbing Combo

These patterns can be worked using a top-down hat or beanie pattern or a bottom-up beanie pattern too! Check out how to create ribbing using this top-down method by TL Yarn Crafts.

If you ever need pattern support, head over to Stardust Gold Crochet & Friends and find all the support you need! I check in daily…

Let’s get to it! Grab your crochet hooks and some scrap yarn. Practice makes perfect and I believe you will find a favorite of your own.

5 Simple Crochet Ribbing Patterns | How to Crochet Ribbing

Abbreviations

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

sl st – slip stitch

blo – back loop only

FPhdc – front post half double crochet

3rd loop – third loop

These instructions are for working flat back and forth rows.  Ribbing height can vary from hats to sweaters, so it is up to you how many chains you make to start.  When you finish, you will join the ends together and stitch them up.

Note: When creating the ribbing, the first st of each row is made in same as turning chain unless otherwise indicated.

X = the number of rows or stitches in your project.

Single Crochet Ribbing

Pattern #1

Create your foundation chain using chains or foundation single crochet row using this tutorial.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.

Row 2 – Sc (BLO) in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.

Rows 3 – X: Repeat Row 2 until your ribbing is the length you’d like.

Half Double Crochet Ribbing

Pattern #2

Note: When working the half double crochet – the last stitch of the row likes to hide ~ so remember to count your stitches.  If you are short by one stitch – find that hiding last stitch and pull up the loop 🙂 Also, half doubles have a “3rd loop” – here is a pictorial on how to find the third loop of a half double crochet.

Create your foundation chain using chains or foundation half double crochet (fhdc).  I created a tutorial to teach you how to crochet a foundation half double crochet, also known as a chain-less half double crochet.

Row 1: Hdc in each chain across row (if you started with a foundation hdc row, you’ll work these into the 3rd loops), ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Hdc (3rd loop) entire row, ch 1, turn.

Rows 3 – X: Repeat Row 2 until your ribbing is the length you’d like.

Half Double Crochet & Single Crochet Crochet Ribbing Combo

Pattern #3

Create your foundation chain using chains or foundation single crochet (fsc).  To learn how to create a foundation single crochet, check out this tutorial.

Row 1: Sc in each stitch or chain across (if you started with a foundation single crochet row, you’ll work these into the back loops only), ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Hdc (BLO) in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc (3rd loop) in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.

Rows 4 – X: Repeat Rows 2& 3 until your ribbing is the length you’d like.

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Single Crochet & Slip Stitch Crochet Ribbing

Pattern #4

Note: Make the slip stitch very loose, as this ribbing tends to bunch up. Also, remember to count these stitches – or place a stitch marker on the first stitch. The last stitch of the slip stitch row will seriously hide from you!

P.S. – This is my favorite one

Create your foundation chain using chains or foundation single crochet (fsc).  If you are not familiar with how to crochet a foundation chain – I created a tutorial on it. Click here to learn how to create a foundation single crochet, this is also known as a chain-less foundation chain.

If you start with a foundation single crochet row, skip Row 1 and move on to Row 2.

Row 1: Sc in each chain across row  ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sl st (BLO) entire row, ch 1, turn (make these loose! they tend to bunch up and it will make it easier to create R3).

Row 3: Sc (BLO) entire row, ch 1, turn.

Rows 4 – X: Repeat Rows 2 & 3 until your ribbing is the length you’d like.

Front Post Half Double Crochet & Single Crochet Ribbing Combo

+ Pattern #5

Create your foundation chain using chains or foundation single crochet (fsc).  I am full of tutorials today! I also created a tutorial on how to create a foundation single crochet chainless foundation chain.

Again, if you started with a foundation single crochet row, skip Row 1 and move onto Row 2.

Row 1: Sc in each stitch or chain across row, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: FPhdc around each sc from Row 1, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc (in both loops) entire row, ch 1, turn.

Rows 4 – X:

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 until your ribbing is the length you’d like.

Thanks for stopping by! Do you have a crochet ribbing pattern that is your favorite? I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and let me know!