Staggered rib scarf
Staggered-rib scarf
A cosy, chunky-weight scarf in a reversible, diagonal rib pattern.
When I came across this stitch pattern I knew it was ideal for a scarf – simple, reversible, quicker to knit than seed stitch and normal 2×2 ribbing (because it compresses less).
I’ve given it a beginner rating because it’s entirely knit and purl. However, it requires a bit of concentration at first because you have to purl stitches that look like they should be knit and vice versa. If you get lost, use the photos below to check whether you’re on an odd side (rib pattern moves one stitch right) or an even side (pattern does not move). I have given instructions for slipping the first stitch of each row for neater edges.
The yarn I have chosen is a warm and luxurious blend of merino, alpaca and silk. The silk and alpaca give it a lovely drape. This can be substituted for any chunky-weight yarn. To knit this pattern in using yarn of a different weight, simply swatch using the yarn’s recommended needle size to find the number of stitches that will give the width you want, then round to the nearest multiple of four.
Size information
Length: 156 cm (62 in.)
Width: 13.5 cm (5.25 in.)
Requirements
Yarn & notions
- 4 x 50 g hanks Mirasol Sulka (pictured in shade 221)
Needles & equipment
- 6.5 mm needles
Tension/gauge
14 sts and 18 over 10 cm (4 in.) squared in staggered rib pattern
Instructions
Odd side - diagonal runs top right to bottom left
CO 24 sts
Row 1 (first row only): [K2, p2] to end
Row 2: Sl1, k1, p2, [K2, p2] to end
Row 3: Sl1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Row 4: Sl1p, [k2, p2] to last 3 sts, k2, p1
Row 5: Sl1, p1, [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2
Row 6: Sl1p, p1, [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2
Row 7: Sl1p, [k2, p2] to last 3 st3, k2, p1
Row 8: Sl1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Row 9: Sl1p, k1, [p2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2
Repeat rows 2-9 until you run out of yarn.
Even side - diagonal runs top left to bottom right
Cast off
Hi Suzi,
I like the way this pattern looks, however I’m having trouble with Row 3 already. When I follow the pattern I end up with P2 to the last stitch, not K2 to the last stitch.
I haven’t tried to go beyond this because I really don’t want to waste my time. Could you please tell me how to proceed.
Thank you
Hi Anita,
Thanks for letting me know, you’re absolutly right. I have amended the pattern and double-cecked everything.
Suzie
Suzie,
I have attempted the fixed pattern and am sad to say that no pattern emerges. I can’t figure out which row is off, but I am thinking it might still be row three. I really like the scarf in the photo and would like to make it work. Can you check the pattern again?
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
The pattern is correct. You wont see much of a pattern until you finish row 8, but by then you should the diagonal pattern emerge. It does look odd at first, especially if you’re used to stocking stitch, but stick with it.
Suzie
Hi! Just want to thank you for this pattern. I love it!
Thanks Suzie for this!
I am new to knitting and I just wanted to know – If I wanted to make the scarf wider, what would I have to do?
Thanks so much
Hi Michelle,
To make it wider, just cast on 4 more stitches (or a multiple of 4). The pattern will work fine as long as you add a multiple of 4.
Suzie
Thanks so much Suzie! This is such a beautiful scarf.
Love
M
hi there,
i’d love to try making this scarf.. it looks really cool.. however i don’t know what the s/1 and s/1p mean.. i’m sorry if this is a stupid question.. i’m a total beginner. thanks for your help and your time!
maya
Hi Maya,
sl1 = slip one
sl1p = slip one purlwise
To slip a stitch, insert the needle into the next stitch as if to knit it, but instead of looping the yarn round, simply slip it onto the right needle. To slip one purlwise, do the same, but insert the needle from the back through to the front, as if to work a purl stitch. I
Slipping the first stitch of every row gives you a neater, more professional looking edge, but if it’s too much to think about you can just work the first stitch instead. In which case, you would work the pattern as follows:
Row 1: [K2, p2] to end
Row 2: [K2, p2] to end
Row 3: K1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Row 4: P1, [k2, p2] to last 3 sts, k2, p1
Row 5: [P2, k2] to end
Row 6: [P2, k2] to end
Row 7: P1, [k2, p2] to last 3 st3, k2, p1
Row 8: K1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Hi Suzie, First — Thank you for the information on slipping stitches! This is only my second project, so I have a really basic question. I am doing something wrong with the yarn when I switch between knit and purl. What is the proper way to move the yarn so that it doesn’t get looped around the scarf? Thank you! Hope
Hi Hope,
You’re not alone – accidentally looping the yarn over when changing between knit and purl is a common problem for new knitters! The correct way to do it is to bring the yarn between and below the needles. If in doubt, check that you still have the same number of stitches, doing it wrong will almost certainly cause you to increase the number of stitches. There’s a better explanation here: http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/faq/86.html?language=
Good luck with your project!
Suzie
Hi Suzie,
I love this pattern — I figured out how to move the yarn and things were going great al the way through my first ball. But I have done something that has caused the diagonal to change direction. It seems to have happened when I added a new ball. . . do you have any idea what I have done? I have undone the work and started over from a few rows before the ball change, but I did it again. . .? Any insight appreciated. Thanks! Hope
It could be that when you re-joined the yarn, you started one row out from where you left off. Knitting an even row when you were on an odd or vice versa.
Hi Suzie,
What a great pattern, I have been looking for scarf patterns as I have 14 to do as Xmas pressies, I’m doing this one for one of my brothers and I’m going to do the ruffle lace scarf for my niece.
Thankyou for sharing such fab patterns
Lisa-Marie
Hi Suzie,
I just started knitting the scarf and I am loving the pattern. Thanks so much for creating and sharing it. Next on my list is your ruffled scarf.
[...] I wanted to make a scarf for a male friend who is coming to visit for Thanksgiving. I found this pattern and thought it would be simple and good. It is simple and can be done up quick. I found if you [...]
This scarf is very beautiful. I am a self-taught knitter and even though I goofed a couple of times, I fixed my boo-boos and am close to completing it. It is intended to be given as a
Christmas gift, but my hubby wants to keep it. I may have to knit a few dozen more!!
I love this scafe pattern and appreciate it. I can’t wait to make it. However, there is several comments about your ruffle lace scarf and I was wondering if you could please tell me how to locate that pattern as well. Thank you so much for all your help.
Hi Lesa, you can find all the patterns if you click on ‘Knitting patterns’ in the navigation in the left-hand column. Or, use the site search. Glad you like the scarf!
briliant pattern. wool currently on offer on celtic cove woolshop for £3 in limited colours
thank you so much for the pattern! I needed smth nice and very quick for a present and this scarf made a perfect gift! I made one small “addition” to the pattern to have even, neat edges – I purled the last stich in every row. I used “Berrocco” wool in wonderful grey color and it turned out lovely!
I love this pattern, but for some reason, when I start repeating from row two my diagonal changes directions. Any idea what I’m doing? I’m not supposed to repeat row 1, right?
Hi Laura,
You’re right – you should be repeating rows 2-9 only (row 1 is only worked once). If the pattern is changing direction it might be that you’ve missed a row somewhere. Check the slant of the pattern when you get back to row 2, on an even row the rib should be slanting top left to bottom right. If it’s going the other way there is a mistake somewhere in the previous repeat.
Good luck with it!
Suzie
Can the Sl1 be used with any scarf pattern for the edges? Thanks! (beginner here….)
Hi Gwen, slipping the first stitch of each row is a commonly used technique to neaten any raw edges, but it’s important to pay attention to the direction you’re slipping: If the final stitch on the previous row was purl, you slip knitwise, otherwise slip purlwise.
I finished this today and am really pleased with the result. You are right in that you do need to pay attention – I did find myself going the wrong way a couple of times…but it’s beautiful wool to knit with.
Thanks again!
Sally