If you’ve ever wanted a deeply textured, almost-ribbed knit throw — but knit it using only the two stitches you already know — this mistake rib knit throw pattern is the one. The Desert Sand Mistake Rib Blanket creates a beautifully dimensional, reversible fabric using nothing but knit and purl stitches, and it works up beautifully fast in super bulky yarn. It’s the kind of project that looks impressive on the sofa but actually finishes in a long weekend.

🧶 Part of the Re-Spun Series. This throw is one of three easy knit-and-purl blankets made with Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick. Browse all three in the Easy Knit and Purl Blanket Patterns series.

Why I designed this Mistake Rib Knit Throw

I love textured knits. The kind that look impressive on the sofa but don’t require advanced skills to create. After releasing the Seersucker Stitch Knit Throw as Pattern 1 in the Re-Spun Series and the Whipped Cream Seed Stitch Throw as Pattern 2, so many of you asked: “What’s next? Something with more dimension?”

This is the answer. Mistake rib is a clever single-row stitch pattern — you work the same row over and over, and the offset creates a deep, vertical ribbed texture that looks far more complex than it is. No two-row repeats to track. No row counting. Just one rhythmic row that becomes second nature within a few inches.

And it’s worked in the same Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick super bulky yarn as the rest of the series — so all three throws coordinate beautifully if you want to make the full set.

About the Re-Spun Series

The Re-Spun Series is a four-pattern collection of beginner-friendly textured knit throws — each one designed to be worked in Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick, a super bulky yarn made from 100% recycled polyester. Every skein gives new life to about six plastic bottles, so the whole series is a cozy, low-footprint way to knit your way through the year.

Each pattern in the series uses a different easy knit-and-purl stitch pattern, but the yarn, needles, and gauge are consistent — so if you knit one, you can knit them all. So far:

• Pattern 1 — Seersucker Stitch Knit Throw (Olive Branch) — a quilted, dimensional texture
• Pattern 2 — Whipped Cream Seed Stitch Throw (Whipped Cream) — a soft, pillowy texture
• Pattern 3 — Mistake Rib Knit Throw (Desert Sand) — a deep, ribbed texture (you’re here)
• Pattern 4 — Coming soon (Acai)

Pattern at a glance

• Skill level: Beginner
• Stitches used: Knit, purl, and a slipped edge stitch
• Construction: Worked flat in one piece on circular needles, back and forth in rows (no joining)
• Repeat: One row, repeated until you reach your desired length
• Finished size (as written): Approximately 51″ × 60″
• Sizes included: Five — from Lap / Stroller through Twin
• Time to make: A long weekend

Materials

Yarn

Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick — Super Bulky (#6). 12 oz / 340g, 223 yards per skein. Shown in Desert Sand, a warm dusty pink.

You’ll need approximately 1,400–1,600 yards (7 skeins) for the throw size as written. See the full size chart below for yardage estimates for every size.

The pattern works beautifully in any solid super bulky #6 yarn — the rib texture shows best on solid colors.

Needles

US 13 / 9mm circular knitting needles, 32″ cord. The circular needle is used to hold the wide cast-on — you’ll still knit flat, back and forth in rows.

If you knit tightly or want a softer drape, size up to US 15 / 10mm circular needles.

Notions

• Tapestry needle — to weave in ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)
• Measuring tape

Gauge

Stockinette gauge: 10 sts × 14 rows = 4″ on US 13 needles, lightly blocked.

Mistake rib gauge: approximately 9 sts × 4″ in pattern, smoothed flat to natural form.

Gauge is not critical for a throw — checking it ensures a finished size close to the listed dimensions. If your gauge runs significantly different, the blanket will run wider or narrower and use more or less yarn.

Size chart

All sizes use the same gauge on US 13 / 9mm needles. Cast-on must be a multiple of 4 + 3 to maintain the mistake rib stitch pattern.

Size	Finished	Cast-on	Yardage	Skeins
Lap / Stroller	36″ × 45″	79 sts	750–900 yds	4–5
Lapghan	40″ × 50″	87 sts	950–1,100 yds	5
Throw (as written)	51″ × 60″	111 sts	1,400–1,600 yds	7
Large Throw	54″ × 65″	119 sts	1,700–1,900 yds	8–9
Twin	60″ × 70″	131 sts	2,000–2,250 yds	9–10

Abbreviations

Written in standard US knitting terms.

• k — knit
• p — purl
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• sl 1 — slip 1 stitch
• pwise — purlwise
• wyif — with yarn in front
• rep — repeat
• BO — bind off
• CO — cast on

Special note: Mistake rib vs. broken rib

You may have seen this stitch called “broken rib” in other patterns — but they’re technically different. Mistake rib is a single repeating row worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. Broken rib is a two-row pattern. The “mistake” in mistake rib is the offset that creates the rich, deep texture — and because there’s only one row to remember, it’s actually easier than broken rib once you find the rhythm.

The Mistake Rib Knit Throw Pattern

The pattern below is written for the Throw size (51″ × 60″). For other sizes, refer to the cast-on counts in the size chart above — cast-on must be a multiple of 4 + 3 to keep the mistake rib stitch repeat clean.

Cast on

Cast on 111 stitches using your preferred long-tail or knitted cast-on. Leave a 6″ tail for weaving in later.

The pattern row

Every row: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k1, *p2, k2; rep from * to last st, p1.

That’s it. You work this same row every row — right side and wrong side. The slipped first stitch creates a clean chain edge along both sides so the throw lies flat with no curling.

Knit until you reach your length

Repeat the pattern row until the throw measures approximately 60″ from the cast-on edge (or your desired length).

Bind off

Bind off loosely in pattern — knit the knits and purl the purls as they appear. This keeps the bind-off edge as stretchy as the cast-on so the throw lies evenly. Cut yarn, leaving a 6″ tail.

Finishing

Step 1 — Weave in ends

Use a tapestry needle to weave the cast-on tail and the bind-off tail into the wrong side of the throw. Weave each tail at least 3–4 inches in opposite directions to secure. Trim close to the fabric.

There should only be two tails to weave in — one at each corner of a single side. That’s one of the joys of a single-piece knit throw.

Step 2 — Blocking (optional)

Re-Spun Thick & Quick is recycled polyester, which means it doesn’t block aggressively the way wool does — but a gentle steam or wet block will relax the stitches and even out the texture beautifully.

To wet block: Soak the finished throw in lukewarm water with a small amount of wool wash or gentle detergent for 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water — do not wring. Roll in a towel and press to remove moisture. Lay flat on blocking mats and pin gently to measurements. Allow to dry completely before removing pins.

To steam block: Hover a steam iron 1–2 inches above the surface of the throw — do not touch the iron to the fabric, as polyester can melt. Lightly steam the entire surface, then pat smooth and allow to dry flat.

Care instructions

Hand wash gently in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry. Do not put in the dryer. Re-Spun is durable and will hold its shape well with proper care.

Style ideas for your finished throw

The Desert Sand colorway brings instant softness and warmth to any room. A few of my favorite ways to use this ribbed knit throw:

• 🛋️ Draped over a neutral sofa — instant texture and color without overwhelming the room
• 🛏️ Layered at the foot of a bed — adds a soft pop against white or stone bedding
• 🪑 Folded on a reading chair — cozy and ready to grab on chilly evenings
• 🎁 A handmade gift — perfect for housewarmings, weddings, baby showers, and holidays
• 🌿 The whole Re-Spun Series — collect all four colorways for a beautifully coordinated home

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Frequently asked questions

Is this mistake rib knit throw pattern suitable for a complete beginner?

Yes — if you can knit and purl, you can make this throw. The single-row repeat is one of the simplest stitch patterns in knitting. There’s no shaping, no row counting, and no seaming. The slipped edge stitch keeps the sides clean automatically. New to knitting? Start with a simpler stitch like garter (knit every row) for your first few practice swatches, then come back to this.

How long does it take to make?

Most knitters finish the throw size in a long weekend. The super bulky yarn and large 9mm needles mean you see progress incredibly quickly — which makes it very satisfying to work on, especially as a TV knit.

Can I use a different yarn?

Absolutely. Any solid #6 super bulky yarn will work — the rib texture shows best on solid colors, so steer clear of variegated yarns if you want the stitch to be the star. Some great alternatives to Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick include Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Bernat Softee Chunky, or Patons Inspired.

Can I make this throw bigger or smaller?

Yes — the size chart above includes cast-on counts for five sizes, from Lap / Stroller (36″ × 45″) to Twin (60″ × 70″). For sizes between or beyond those, cast on any multiple of 4 + 3 stitches and adjust your length to match. The stitch pattern repeat stays clean as long as you stick to that math.

What’s the difference between mistake rib and broken rib?

Mistake rib is a one-row repeat — you work the same row every row, and the offset creates the deep ribbed texture. Broken rib is a two-row repeat where you alternate between two different rows. Both produce a ribbed look, but mistake rib is faster to memorize and works up more rhythmically because there’s only one row to remember.

Do I need to block this throw?

No — it’s optional. Re-Spun Thick & Quick is recycled polyester and doesn’t block aggressively the way wool does. A gentle steam or wet block will relax the stitches and even out the rib texture, but if you skip it the throw still finishes beautifully.

How do I get the printable PDF?

The printable, ad-free PDF version is available on Etsy. It’s an instant download — available immediately after purchase in your Etsy account under Purchases and Reviews. The PDF includes all five sizes, the full size chart, gauge details, and beautifully formatted step-by-step instructions in one clean document. Use code SEELOVE15 for 15% off.

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More patterns you’ll love

• Seersucker Stitch Knit Throw — Pattern 1 in the Re-Spun Series, with a quilted-look dimensional texture
• Whipped Cream Seed Stitch Throw — Pattern 2 in the Re-Spun Series, with a soft pillowy texture
• Easy Peasy Chunky Knit Throw — the original beginner-friendly knit throw that started it all
• Simple Color Block Knit Throw — another easy two-stitch knit throw with a graphic modern twist

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Happy knitting! 🧶 If you make this Mistake Rib Knit Throw, I’d love to see it — tag #SeeLoveShare on Instagram so I can cheer you on.

— Ashleigh