Beaded Rib

Beaded rib dresses a plain rib with a small purl bead in the middle of each knit column, adding a dotted texture without losing the rib's structure. A common repeat is a wider knit column with a single purl worked into its centre, separated by a purl valley, so the fabric reads as vertical ribs each carrying a line of little beads. The purl bead breaks up the smooth knit and catches the light, giving a subtle decorative rhythm that is smarter than a plain rib but just as easy to work. It keeps much of a rib's vertical stretch and springs back well, which makes it a good, good-looking choice for scarves, cowls, sock legs, and cardigan bands. It is a true beginner pattern, using only knits and purls with no beads-on-thread or special tools despite the name, which refers to the knitted bumps. Read the fabric so each purl bead lands in the centre of its knit column, and the rib almost works itself once the first row is set.