Grecian Rib Scarf
purlsoho.com/create/2012/02/12/lauras-loop-grecian-rib-scarf
February 12, 2012 | Laura’s Loop February 13, 2012
Someone once told me, “If you aren’t
ready to rip it out, then you aren’t ready
to knit.” Years later, I fully understand.
Ripping things out, or rather the ability to
rip things out, is one of the many
reasons I love to knit. Another reason,
which goes hand-in-hand, is that I never
stop learning from knitting. And now, a
quick tale of both…
Recently I was working on a project that
was sure to be my favorite of the season.
It was a vintage-inspired, fitted cardigan
vest. I had worked out the shaping and
paired it with a (new-to-me) handsome
stitch I had just fallen in love with, the
Grecian Rib Stitch. I was sure the
combination of the stitch with the
cut couldn’t be beat! Oh, how wrong I
was.
The Grecian Rib Stitch slants… a lot…
even after blocking. I finished the back of the vest, and suspicious, I rigorously blocked it,
only to see my askew darts still pointing off toward the top left shoulder. What should
have been somewhat of a rectangle turned out to be quite the rhombus. Needless to say,
I started ripping. The good news: one, I learned the nuances of this lovely stitch, and two,
the Grecian Rib Scarf was born.
The Grecian Rib Stitch lends itself beautifully to bias knitting, with softly textured ribs that
move gracefully from one corner to the other. And for total elegance (and comfort!), I used
Jade Sapphire’s sumptuous Zaego 6-ply cashmere. It’s so soft and beautiful, I felt lucky to
use it, not just once, but twice!
While it’s no vest, this Grecian Rib Scarf makes me smile and is, in fact, a favorite of
mine. Here‘s to ripping things out, may it be rare, but fruitful!
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Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura
Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with
the community by tagging your pics with
#PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and
#PurlSohoGrecianRibScarf. We can’t
wait to see what you make!
Materials
4 skeins of Jade Sapphire’s
Zageo 6-ply Mongolian Cashmere
100% cashmere. Each skein is 150
yards/ 55 grams; approximately
600 yards required. This color is
Ivory.
A US 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needle,
straight or circular needle.
Update June 2024: While we no longer
carry the yarn used in this pattern, be
sure to explore our many wonderful
cashmere yarns, including 100%
cashmere Nigh DK which is an ideal
substitution for this pattern.
Gauge
2/8
8 stitches = 1 inch in stitch pattern
Size
With Tassels: 6 inches wide by 88 inches long
Without Tassels: 6 inches wide by 78 inches long
Notes
Click here for a photo-tutorial explaining Grecian Rib Stitch.
Pattern
Begin
Cast on 5 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Increase
Row 1: *Knit the 2nd stitch, lift this stitch
over the first stitch and off the needle as
if to bind off, knit the 1st stitch normally,
repeat from * to last stitch, knit into front
and back (kfb). (6 stitches)
Row 2: (K1, p1) to end.
Row 3: *Knit the 2nd stitch, lift this stitch
over the first stitch and off the needle as
if to bind off, knit the 1st stitch normally,
repeat from * to last 2, k1, kfb. (7
stitches)
Row 4: P1, (k1, p1) to end.
Repeat the last 4 rows, 20 more times.
(47 stitches)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2, one more time.
(48 stitches)
Work Even
Next Row: *Knit the 2nd stitch, lift this stitch over the first stitch and off the needle as if to
bind off, knit the 1st stitch normally, repeat from * to end.
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Next Row: (K1, p1) to end.
Repeat last 2 rows, until piece measures approximately 62 inches from cast on edge.
Decrease
Row 1: K2tog, *knit the 2nd stitch, lift this stitch over the first stitch and off the needle as if
to bind off, knit the 1st stitch normally, repeat from * to end. (47 stitches)
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1).
Row 3: K2tog, k1, *knit the 2nd stitch, lift this stitch over the first stitch and off the needle
as if to bind off, knit the 1st stitch normally, repeat from * to end. (46 stitches)
Row 4: (K1, p1) to end.
Repeat Rows 1- 4, 20 more times. (6 stitches)
Repeat Decrease Rows 1 and 2, one more time. (5 stitches)
Bind of 5 in knit.
Weave in the ends.
Make Tassels
Make 2 tassels, each measuring approximately 5 to 5 1/2 inches long.
Wrap yarn around a 6 inch tall piece of cardboard. (I wrapped my yarn around about 40
times.) Cut your yarn.
Cut a 10 inch strand of yarn and thread it into a tapestry needle. At the top of the
cardboard, bring the needle under the wraps of yarn. Remove the tapestry needle off and
make a tight knot around the wrapped yarn. (Later, you will use the tails of this strand to
attach the tassel to the scarf.)
At the opposite end of the tassel, carefully slide the blade of a scissor between the
wrapped yarn and the cardboard. Cut the wrapped yarn, freeing it from the cardboard.
Lay the tassel on a flat surface and with a second 10 inch stand of yarn, tie a tight knot
approximately 3/4 inches from the top. Gently shake out your tassel and trim the ends so
they are even.
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Attach the Tassels
Attach a tassel to each end of the scarf by weaving in the tails of the tassel’s knot. Make
sure to weave the strands away from the cast on (or bind off) edge and then back towards
it to fully secure your tassel. Our How to Weave in your Ends tutorial has some great tips!
And you’ve done it! You’ve made the Grecian Rib Stitch Scarf.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials,
buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have
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integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
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