Laura's Loop: Grecian Rib Scarf
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!
The Materials
- 4 skeins of Jade Sapphire's Zageo 6-ply Mongolian Cashmere (100% cashmere; Ivory). To see more dk/light worsted weight yarn options, click here!
- A US #5 knitting needle, straight or circular needle.
The Pattern
Gauge
8 stitches = 1 inch in stitch pattern
Finished Dimensions
6 inches wide by 88 inches long, with tassels, or 78 inches long, without tassels
Pattern Notes
Grecian Rib Stitch: *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.
Begin
Cast on 5 stitches.
Increase
Row 1: Work in Grecian Rib (see Pattern Notes, above) to last stitch, knit into front and back (kfb). (6 stitches)
Row 2: (K1, p1) to end.
Row 3: Work in Grecian Rib 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: Work in Grecian Rib to end.
Next Row: (K1, p1) to end.
Repeat last 2 rows, until piece measures approximately 62 inches from cast on edge.
Decrease
Row 1: K2tog, work in Grecian Rib to end. (47 stitches)
Row 2: K1, (p1, k1).
Row 3: K2tog, k1, work in Grecian Rib Stitch to end. (46 stitches)
Row 4: (K1, p1) to end.
Repeat last 4 rows, 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.
Add Tassels
Make 2 tassles, 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.
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.
February 12, 2012
Reader Comments (51)
You can use any DK/ light worsted yarn you like. Here is a link to our whole selection: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters[]=5
You'll need 600 yards total.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
We're so sorry to hear that you're having trouble with this. Please let us know what specifically you're having problems understanding and we'll be happy to help.
Thank you!
Molly
We can certainly try to help. What specifically is your issue?
Thanks!- Molly
This is beautiful! I am also a visual learning, more so from video and hands on than pictures, and I am having a hard time making sense of this stitch! Can I ask where you learned it and if you know of any video tutorials?
Thanks so much :)
As for the Grecian Rib, essentially... place your right needle into the second stitch on the left needle (see top right picture under Pattern Notes) and knit it (see top left picture). Then with your right needle, insert it purlwise into that second stitch you just knit and pull it up and over the first stitch and off your left needle (see bottom left picture). Then knit the first stitch normally (see bottom left picture).
I hope this helps. Thanks for writing in. -Laura
A sportweight yarn is a bit thinner than the original yarn that this was knit in. But it could still work, you'd just end up with a thinner scarf, or a looser stitch.
We recommend using DK weight yarn for this project. You can see our entire selection here: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters[]=5
Thank you!
Molly
http://pattscreationsmadness.blogspot.com/2012/02/grecian-rib-stitch-tutorial.html
Sorry I'm try to explain :)
Thanks!!!
I am still having trouble with it too...cannot figure out what I am doing wrong but it does NOT look like yours! Can you e-mail me the extra info as well? ;) thanks so much!
When I look on the video she knits the second stitch and then the first and slip them both off,and your comment to that is "In the video, she does bring the second stitch over the first and off the needle before knitting the first stitch. That missing step is the only difference between ours and hers" it just makes me comfused...
Here are the steps, a bit more wordy than in the pattern: knit the second stitch (at this point there will be a new stitch on your right-hand needle and the first and second stitch will still be on your left-hand needle). Then, with your right-hand needle pick up the second stitch (the one you just knit) and pull it up and over the first stitch and off the left-hand needle. Now knit the first stitch as usual! --Laura
What is the multiple for the grecian rib patteren? I need it to practice the stitch, thanks!
Happy to send you the extra images.
They are headed your way!
I hope you find them helpful.
Laura
I am fairly new at knitting but have had good results with the patterns I have tried so far thanks to YouTube and such. I am trying to figure this pattern out. Unlike the other questions though I am confused with the next part of the pattern. I believe I have figured the Grecian stitch out but then I go on to knit and purl the next row and when I go to do the Grecian stitch all I have is a big criss-crossed mess of stitches that I can't tell apart, so I don't know which stitch to knit first. I know it is hard explaining through writing but if you can figure out how to help me I would greatly appreciate your time. Thank you!
-NewKnitter
This is an ambitious project for a new knitter. When you look closely at your needle, if you tug down very gently, can you start to see the order of the stitches?
I am going to email you some additional images, just in case there is a step you are missing.
Laura
I'm still learning. Thank you.
We don't have plans to do a further tutorial on this stitch at the moment but are happy to help with any specific questions you might have. What exactly are you having problems with?
Thank you!
Molly
Can you send me additional pictures of the scarf? I tried making it tonight, but it doesn't seem to be working.
Thanks.
It is fine if you are using an US8 rather than a US5, as long as your gauge is right. Are you getting 8 stitches to the inch?
If you are getting fewer stitches to the inch and your fabric is looser than mine, that might be a cause of the curled edges. I definitely blocked this project, pretty heavily actually. It helped the nubby ridges relax and even out and eased the edges a bit as well.
Let me know if I can help in any other way.
Laura
I understood knit second stitch and lift, and no idea after that.
Could you send me an extra pictures??
What is the 'off the needle'?? thanks :)
They are coming your way!
Laura
I just sent you the pictures. Let me know if you have any questions after you see them!
Thanks,
Laura