Why Ribbed Fabric Should Be Your Summer Go-To
Knitters understand and love the benefits of ribbed fabrics, although we can get awfully bored with the monotony of creating them.
Knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, over and over again.
Our introduction to knitting class teaches students to make a ribbed scarf. Ribbing uses two basic knitting stitches: the knit and the purl. They are the opposite of each other and together in a rib, they produce a reversible fabric that makes a great first scarf. The reversibility of knitted fabric also makes it a great stitch for blankets and shawls. Being able to knit ribbing is the foundation on which we build our skills here at fibre space. Here is former team member Teddy showing off our introduction to knitting ribbed scarf project:
But ribbed fabric is incredibly common in our machine-knit clothing as well as store-bought hand-knits, and for good reason. It has some incredible benefits! Ribbing creates an elastic fabric that is engaging to knit and wear, as it fits your body like a glove, expanding where more space is needed and contracting where it is not. Ribbed fabric also produces a texture that is minimal yet graphic. Its vertical stripes visually lengthen the torso.
Because of its ribbed fabric, I recently selected the Camisole No. 5 pattern to make this spring after purchasing a pair of kelly green cropped linen pants and finding nothing in the store or at home that quite fit with them. Because I am 5’2” and the pants are cropped, I wanted a monochromatic look so that I didn’t look even shorter than I am. Wearing shades of the same color is one way that I trick the eye into thinking there is more height here than there actually is.
I selected the yarn Knitting for Olive Merino. Merino wool may seem like a strange choice for this spring top but this was intentional. This Merino is soft, allowing me to wear this tank without any undergarments. (The ribbed fabric also helps me to get away with going braless since the fabric is thicker from the ribbing and covers more than other stitch patterns might.) Merino and other wools wick moisture (aka sweat) away from your skin, making them a great material for hot summer days when you want to keep dry. And I wanted this to be a year-round garment, so with my yarn selection, I can easily put this under a jacket or blazer in the fall and winter.
For those of you who don’t have the emotional energy to knit a camisole on tiny needles in time to wear this season (as most “normal" humans do not,) I found some great ribbed fabrics at the Shoe Hive on my last visit:
The next time you are shopping for knit tops, don’t be fooled by the appearance of a ribbed top on the hanger. I’d encourage you to try it on and see how it magically transforms to fit your body like a glove!
