Mobius Ribbed Wrap by Barbara Hurd

Mobius Ribbed Wrap

Knitting
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
16 stitches = 4 inches
in garter
US 9 - 5.5 mm
400 - 600 yards (366 - 549 m)
S.M.L
English

Anyone can make a mobius; with a seam, that is. But to knit a TRUE mobius (and a beautiful garment at that), you have to create one without a seam.
The mobius was discovered long ago as a reference in Topology (an upper level of mathematics). It is a one plane, one-edged form with no beginning or end. Because of this, knitting one is a surprising experience. It does not follow the regular rules of knitting. A mobius is knit incidentally from the center outward (on both sides of the cast-on stitches, alternating above and below) and each “round” is twice as long as you’d expect. (Run your finger along its edge and you will return to the point where you began, having covered all the edges; run your hand over the surface and you will return to the start having covered what appears to be both sides). It really is one plane with one edge.
Directions for knitting a mobius abound on the internet, in books, scholarly publications, chat rooms, etc. They may seem incorrect, but they are all basically the same. They can be tricky to understand because knitting one is unlike anything you’ve ever knit (or probably ever will).
I have tried to make these directions as easy, clear, and short as possible. Follow ONE step at a time. Do NOT do anything that is not in the directions. It is easy. Watch it magically do its own thing!