Grafting Rib (wordy knitting instructions)

Due to popular request (Princess Pea). I am about to write out instructions on grafting ribbed sections of fabric.

First a few 'disclaimers':

• I'm sure I'm not the first to have figured out this (or another) method of grafting ribbed knitting.
• The basic technique I use stems from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitters Almanac. It has lovely pictures, and a very workable set of instructions. I think it's one of the best knitting books I've ever bought, and if you want more practice at grafting, buy it! (the Book Depository usually has it for a good price).

So here goes (I might get around to taking some photos and adding them later).

• I usually start with a piece of scrap yarn threaded through the live stitches so that I don't accidentally lose them. I pull it out stitch by stitch, as I weave through the stitch (if you don't the stitches have a tendency to sit a bit crooked).
• Lay the two pieces of knitting flat on your lap with the live stitches (loops) facing each other.
• Take a blunt needle threaded in the grafting yarn (usually the same as what the fabric's knitted in).
• Starting with the bottom piece of knitting (closest to your tummy), with the purl bumps facing down, thread the needle DOWN through the right most stitch, and UP through the next one to the left.
• Switch to the top piece of knitting, thread the needle DOWN throught the rightmost stitch, and UP through the next one to the left.
• Switch to the bottom piece of knitting and go DOWN in the second stitch from the left (the one you went up in before), and up through the next stitch to the left.
• Switch to the top piece of knitting and go DOWN in the second stitch from the left (the one you went up in before), and up through the next stitch to the left.

Get the idea

Now for the rib part

• When you get to a section of purl bumps, go down through the next stitch on the bottom piece (the last stocking stitch stitch), then flip your sections of knitting over, and rotate them so that the thread is no on the top piece of knitting (ie 180 degrees).
• The approaching purl bumps have now become standard right side stocking stitch. Go up through the next stitch on the left (top piece).
• To finish off the last of the stocking stitch, go up through the partially woven stitch on the bottom, and up through the next stitch to the left (on the bottom piece).
• Continue from here on as if it's normal stocking stitch. Whenever you approach a section of purl bumps, flip and rotate, and carry on.

It makes a lot more sense as you actually do it ... you can see how the weaving works (especially if you use a contrasting colour). Knit up a couple of swatches (4x4 rib would be good to try), and have a go. I'll work on some photos to add, that may make it a bit simpler.