Diagonal Rib Stitch

Diagonal rib takes a plain knit-purl rib and walks it sideways, so the ribs lean across the fabric instead of running straight up. Work it over a multiple of four stitches. Rows 1 and 2: (k2, p2) to the end. Rows 3 and 4: shift the pattern over by two stitches, working (p2, k2) to the end, and keep shifting the start point on each pair of rows so the knit blocks step steadily to one side. Because each block sits one step over from the block below, the columns form continuous diagonal lines rather than vertical ribs. The direction of the lean depends on which way you shift, and shifting the other way after a while makes a chevron. It is only as hard as counting to four, uses just knits and purls, and lies flatter than vertical rib because the diagonal breaks up the pull. That makes it a good, slightly more interesting choice than stockinette for blankets, scarves, and cushion fronts, and it looks tidy on both sides.