The Roman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial

The Roman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial, by Janice Jones, updated April 3, 2026

If you are looking for an easy knit-and-purl stitch with lots of texture, the Roman knit rib stitch is a fun one to try. It has an 8-row repeat, but half the rows are simply knit or purl, so it is much easier to memorize than it first appears.

I was curious about this stitch as soon as I saw it in a stitch dictionary, and once I tried it, I loved the way it looked on both sides. It is not fully reversible, but the wrong side is attractive enough that I would still use it for projects where both sides may show.

This stitch is stretchy, soft, and slightly squishy, which makes it a nice choice for scarves, cowls, hats, blankets, dishcloths, and small practice projects like a cup cozy.

A knitted swatch of the Roman knit rib stitch shown in a beige color

Why you’ll love the Roman Knit Rib Stitch


  • Easy to knit with only knits and purls
  • Lots of texture without complicated steps
  • Attractive on both sides
  • Stretchy and squishy for cozy projects
  • Easy to memorize after a few repeats

Notes About the Roman Knit Rib Stitch

  • Skill Level:  Basic, Beginner-Friendly
  • Cast on an Even number of stitches
  • 8-row repeat, 2-stitch repeat
  • Lies flat
  • Not reversible, but looks good on both sides. More reversible stitches
  • Worked with only knit and purl stitches.
  • All instructions are written in US Terms.

Abbreviations Used in the Roman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial

K - Knit 

P - Purl

CO - Cast on

BO - Bind off

RS - Right Side

WS - Wrong Side

*  *  Repeat the instructions contained within the asterisks.

Skills Needed

How to make the Knit Stitch

How to make the Purl Stitch

How to Cast On

How to Bind off

How to Weave in Ends

Is This Pattern Reversible?

No, this pattern is not reversible but does provide a nice textured fabric.

The roman knit rib stitch showing the right side.Roman Knit Rib Stitch Right Side
A swatch of the roman knit rib stitch showing the wrong sideRoman Knit Rib Stitch Wrong Side

Supplies Needed For This Tutorial

Roman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial:  Written Directions 

Cast on an even number of stitches.

Row 1: (RS) K.

Row 2: (WS) P.

Row 3 and 4:  *k1, p1; rep from *.

Row 5:  K.

Row 6: P.

Row 7 and 8:  *P1, k1; rep from *.

Repeat rows 1 through 8 until you reach your desired length.  Weave in Ends.

Roman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial Chart

This stitch is very beginner-friendly, but it's never too early to learn how to read knitting charts.  This is how the chart would look if worked flat.  For more information on how to read a knitting chart, please check out my detailed instructions.

A chart of the roman knit rib stitch

What Can You Make With This Stitch

The Roman Knit Rib Stitch Pattern is perfect for a wide variety of projects.  Start with an easy washcloth or cup cozy, but consider using this stitch for a scarf, blanket, or cowl.  Since it is stretchy a knit beanie or cap would benefit from this pattern.

Free Can Cozy Roman Knit Rib Pattern

A cup cozy knit in the Roman knit rib stitch shown on a tall cup

Need a practical project to help you master this knit pattern?  I have just the thing for you.

  • Yarn (I used Lion Brand, SCHITT'S CREEK, 100% Acrylic Yarn. (7 oz, 200 g/372 yd/340 M) Color 410G, Rose Apothecary colorway
  • Size US 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles (I used Knitter's Pride Zing)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn or Tapestry Needle

CO 20 stitches.

Row 1: (RS) K.

Row 2: (WS) P.

Row 3 and 4: *k1, p1; rep from *.

Row 5: K.

Row 6: P.

Row 7 and 8: *P1, k1; rep from *.

Work Rows 1 - 8.  Repeat rows 1 - 8 seven more times or until the length goes around the can you want to cover.  In this case, I worked 9 inches.  Bind off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

The flat version of the Roman Knit Rib stitch cup cozy shown before seaming

You will be seaming a bind off edge to a cast on edge which is not hard to do but if you have never done it before, I found a video that might help.

Seaming Cast on to Cast on and Cast on to Bind off

Finally, weave in all tails.

References

Walker, Barbara.  A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, Schoolhouse Press, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the stitch multiple for the Roman knit rib stitch?

The Roman knit rib stitch is worked over an even number of stitches and uses an 8-row repeat.

Is the Roman knit rib stitch reversible?

No. It is not fully reversible, but the wrong side still has an attractive texture.

Is the Roman knit rib stitch good for beginners?

Yes. It only uses knit and purl stitches, and several rows are worked entirely in knit or purl, which makes it easier to memorize than it looks at first.

Does the Roman knit rib stitch work well for scarves?

Yes, especially if you do not mind that the two sides look different. It also works well for hats, cowls, blankets, dishcloths, and cup cozies.





Roman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial:  Conclusion

The Roman knit rib stitch is one of those patterns that looks more complicated than it really is. Once you work a few repeats, it becomes very easy to remember, and the texture is worth it.

I especially like this stitch for projects that need a little stretch and a little extra interest without becoming difficult or fussy. If you are practicing knit and purl combinations and want something beyond basic ribbing, this is a nice next step.

Give it a try on a small swatch first, then use it for a hat, scarf, cowl, or cozy little gift project.

Happy knitting,
Janice

Pin for Future Reference

Knit swatches of the roman knit rib stitch placed on a pin imageRoman Knit Rib Stitch Tutorial

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