Beaded Rib Stitch Knitting Pattern (Easy 2-Row Beginner Tutorial)

Beaded Rib Stitch Knit   by Janice Jones   |Updated 01-11-2026

The beaded rib stitch is an easy knit-and-purl pattern worked over a simple 2-row repeat. It creates a lightly textured rib that lies flat, making it ideal for beginner scarves, cuffs, and decorative borders.

If you’re comfortable with knit and purl stitches and want a rib pattern that looks polished without curling, this stitch is a great next step for you.

A swatch of the beaded rib knit stitch pattern worked in a light gray acrylic yarn

Beaded Rib vs. Seeded Rib: Are They the Same?

Both beaded rib and seeded rib look similar, but they are not the same stitch.  

A 350 by 234 px swatch of the beaded rib, right sideBeaded Rib
Thumbnail of the seeded rib worked in whiteSeeded Rib

Fabric Characteristics of the Beaded Rib Stitch

The beaded rib stitch creates a fabric that is neatly textured, stable, and beginner-friendly, making it a great choice for projects that call for interest without bulk.

  • Texture: Lightly textured with small “beaded” bumps between the ribs. The texture is subtle rather than bold, giving the fabric a clean, polished look.
  • Stretch: Low to moderate stretch. While it resembles ribbing, it does not stretch as much as traditional 1×1 or 2×2 rib.
  • Drape: Structured with gentle flexibility. The fabric holds its shape well and does not collapse or slouch.
  • Thickness: Medium thickness. It feels slightly denser than plain stockinette but lighter than heavily textured stitches.
  • Curling: Lies flat. This stitch does not curl at the edges, which makes it ideal for scarves, borders, and decorative panels.
  • Right vs. Wrong Side: Not reversible, but both sides are attractive. The right side shows more defined ribbing, while the wrong side has a softer, pebbled texture. 

Because it lies flat and maintains its structure, the beaded rib stitch works especially well for accessories, cuffs, hems, and home décor projects that call for a tidy finish without complicated techniques.

Best Yarn Choices for the Beaded Rib Stitch

Choosing the right yarn makes a huge difference in how your beaded rib fabric looks and feels. Since this stitch relies on subtle texture, you want yarn that shows off the little “beads” without getting lost in fuzz or heavy fibers.

Best Yarn Types for Beginners

  • Smooth, plied yarns:  These are the easiest to work with at this skill level and show stitch definition beautifully. Look for yarns described as:
  • Smooth worsted-weight (#4) — classic choice for beginners
  • DK/light worsted (#3) — lighter weight with good definition
  • Cotton or wool-blend — crisp stitch clarity

Why these work well:
Smooth yarns let the knit and purl pattern pop, so you can see your stitches clearly and learn with confidence.

Yarns to Avoid if You’re Just Starting Out

  • Some yarns can make this stitch harder to read or less defined:
  • Fuzzy or halo yarns (like mohair or brushed alpaca) — texture can hide the beaded pattern
  • Super bulky yarns — fabric becomes dense and hides the subtle rib texture
  • Very slick yarns (like some silk blends) — can slip off needles easily for new knitters

Skill Level

This is a beginning level knit pattern.

Skills Needed

Abbreviations

k - knit

p - purl

CO - cast on

BO - bind off

*   * - Repeat the directions between the astericks

Supplies Needed

  • Yarn (I used Lion Brand Limited Edition in a light gray, a worsted weight, acrylic yarn)  CYC #4
  • Needles:  I used US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle

Notes About the Beaded Rib Stitch Knit

  • All instructions are in US terms
  • 2-row repeat
  • Only knits and purls are used
  • Stitch repeat:  Multiples of 5 + 2
  • Not reversible, yet both sides look nice

Each Side is Different

A close up the Beaded Rib Stitch knit pattern, right sideThe Beaded Rib Stitch, Right side
The beaded rib stitch knit, closeup of wrong sideThe Beaded Rib Stitch, Wrong Side

Directions for Making the Beaded Rib Stitch Knit:  Straight Needles

Cast on a multiple of 5 plus 2 stitches. This just means that you will cast on a multiple of 5 such as 10, 15, 20, 25 and so forth, then add two more stitches.

Row 1 (RS):  * P2, K1, P1, K1 *, P2

Row 2 (WS):  K2, * P3, K2 *

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you reach your desired length.  Then bind off in pattern for best results.  Weave in ends.

Step Four:  Bind off in pattern

There are three beginner-friendly ways you can bind off.

  1. Knit two stitches, lift the first stitch over the second stitch, and off the needle.
  2. Purl two stitches, then lift the first stitch over the second and off the needle.
  3. Bind off in pattern:  Knit the knits and purl the purls as if you were working the next row.  But once you have two stitches on the right needle, lift the first over the second and off the needle.

Knitting the Beaded Rib Stitch Knit in the Round

When working in the round, you will be working on the right side only.  There is no wrong side.  The stitch multiple in the round is different because you don't need the extra 2 stitches to complete the multiple. When working in the Round you will cast on stitches in multiples of 5.  Join to work in the round and place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Round 1:  * P2, K1, P1, K1 *

Round 2:  * P2, K3 *

Learn to Read Knit Stitch Pattern Charts

It is likely that you won't need a chart to knit from since the written directions are easy and straight-forward. 

However, it is always a good idea to learn how to read charts because as you grow as a knitter, patterns become more complex and charts are a good way to understand what to do.

Beaded Rib Stitch Knit Chart

Beaded rib stitch pattern represented in chart formBeaded Rib Stitch Knit Chart

Frequently Asked Questions About the Beaded Rib Stitch Knit

Is the beaded rib stitch suitable for beginners?

Yes. The beaded rib stitch is very beginner-friendly as long as you are comfortable with knit and purl stitches. It uses a simple 2-row repeat, making it easy to memorize and relaxing to knit once you get started.

Is the beaded rib stitch reversible?

No, the beaded rib stitch is not fully reversible. However, both sides look attractive. The right side has more defined ribs, while the wrong side has a softer, pebbled texture that still looks neat and intentional.

Does the beaded rib stitch stretch like regular ribbing?

Not as much. While it resembles ribbing, the beaded rib stitch has less stretch than traditional 1×1 or 2×2 rib. It’s best used when you want texture and structure rather than elasticity.

Can I use the beaded rib stitch for hats or cuffs?

Yes, with one caveat. The beaded rib stitch works well for decorative cuffs, hat brims, and borders, but because it has limited stretch, it’s better for areas that don’t need to grip tightly.

Last Words

The beaded rib stitch knit is a lovely textured rib stitch is slightly textured, not reversible and worked on a two-row repeat. 

The pattern is made up entirely of knit and purl stitches and is easy enough for most beginner-level knitters to master.  Consider this pattern for stand alone projects such as scarves, pillow covers or table runners. 

It's also perfect for the rim of hats, cuffs on sweaters, or the lower edge on pullovers.

Beaded Rib Stitch Knit:  Pin for Future Reference

Beaded rib knit stitch worked in cream colored yarn in a pin imageBeaded Rib Knit Stitch: Pin Image

If you found the beaded rib stitch knit tutorial helpful, may I suggest a few other interesting stitches.