Hi, I'm new to this and in need of some info

ecando said:

I recently saw a sweater made by an English woman. The ribbing K2, P2 looked as if the stitches were twisted and looked like mini cables. Does anyone know how to knit the stitch?

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I think she was probably doing what I've always known as 'Twist Rib', it's firm, very stretchy and it looks great on cricket sweaters in particular.

It is indeed based on a K2, P2 rib but the K2 is a mock cable: insert the right-hand needle into the front of the second stitch on the left-hand needle and knit it, then insert the needle into the first stich, knit that and slide both stitches off the left-hand needle together thus creating a single cable.

It can be done on every row, which creates a very tight rib band; only on one side, the right side RS (odd numbered) rows; or over four rows with the twists on rows three and four, rows one and two being a simple K2, P2.

The last is my personal favourite, but knit up a test swatch and see which you like best. If you don't get on with knitting shirring elastic in with cotton yarn, this will retain its shape better than a standard rib.

Hope that helps.
Dave

milomom said:

mine is the same as Dave's. I did it every 4th row.

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I did wonder if it might be, given our shared heritage.

How often one makes the repeat depends on how tight you want the piece and whether it needs to be reversible.

I'm sure you'll agree, it's a good idea for anyone new to the stitch to try it on a test swatch with the twists on different rows and compare the effect. It does tighten the ribbing quite a bit, I sometimes have to add a few extra stitches, particularly at the cuffs.