This is a nice alternative to ribbing. It will make your garment more delicate looking.

You can start your ribbing as your manual says for 1X1 rib if you prefer, or try something different!

You can do a manual cast-on for your ribbing if you are doing the 1X1, 2X1, or 2X2 type needle arrangement.

Set up your carriage on the right with the carriage setting as you would have if you had already knitted your cast-on rows according to your manual.

Bring all your needles into working position (all the way out) in the way that your needle arrangement requires.

Tie down your yarn at the left side and wrap the yarn around your needles making sure you don't get hung up on sinker posts. Wrap counterclockwise around the main bed needles and clockwise around the rib bed needles in the same fashion as you would e-wrap. If you are doing a 2X2 needle arrangement, then go around each needle before moving to the other bed.

When you reach the right side with your yarn, place it into the feeder of your carriage.

Knit slowly to the left (it may feel tight depending on how tightly you wrapped your needles). Hang your comb and weights. Bring all the needles back out to holding position and knit one more row. Now you are finished your cast-on and ready to continue your rib as normal. This method will give you a stretchy non-wavy edge. If you want the edge to be tighter, start with a tight tension and gradually work each row looser until you are at the tension you want for your rib.

To make your lacy rib, finish your cast-on and hang your comb and weights.

Set your main bed to hold. Bring out every 5th needle, on the main bed only, to holding position. Knit 4 rows, cancel the hold and knit one row. Then bring out each 5th needle again and set the hold button. Knit 4 rows and then cancel the hold and knit one row. Continue in this fashion until you have reached the desired length to your rib. Transfer your rib needles to the main bed and continue your garment.