German term (edited): mit Patenten

if they mean Patentknöpfe, e.g. the (fly) buttons on jeans

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Note added at 37 mins (2009-12-10 11:07:47 GMT)
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aka jeans buttons

"Ribbing (knitting)

In knitting, ribbing is a pattern in which vertical stripes of stockinette stitch alternate with vertical stripes of reverse stockinette stitch.

[...]

Ribbing has a strong tendency to contract laterally, forming small pleats in which the purl stitches recede and the knit stitches come forward. Thus, ribbing is often used for cuffs, sweater hems and, more generally, any edge that should be form-fitting. The elasticity depends on the number of knit/purl transitions; 1x1 ribbing is more elastic than 2x2 ribbing, etc. However, some cable patterns may "pull in" more than ribbing (i.e., have a smaller gauge); in such cases, a ribbed border may flare out instead of contracting.

Slip stitches may be added to increase the depth of the ribbing, and to accentuate the stitches of certain wales. For example, the knit stitches can be slipped every other row to double their height and make them come forward."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbing_(knitting)

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"Fabulously cozy tunic-length turtleneck sweater

Fabulously cozy tunic-length turtleneck sweater with deeply-ribbed neck cuffs and bottom band."

http://www.bizrate.com/womens-sweaters/oid1537591799.html



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Note added at 1 hr (2009-12-10 12:02:40 GMT)
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RIBBED, it's ribbed, not "ripped".

This is soooo embarassing. Blush. It's 4am... :-)

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Note added at 1 hr (2009-12-10 12:05:58 GMT)
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Also: "embarrassing". Time to go to bed...