Men’s Mini Herringbone Scarf
I have accumulated quite a bit of neckwear over the years. Some bright, some bulky, some sleek, lots ecru, but hands-down, what earns me the most compliments is my Big Herringbone Cowl, scooped off these pages of the Purl Bee!
It is undeniably wonderful. After making one for myself, I was hooked on herringbone. It creates a flat, woven-like fabric on one side while remaining quite lofty and full on the other. It has a fascinating texture with a hypnotizing rhythm, and its drape is just beautiful. Considering this unique combination of characteristics, I had to have more herringbone!
My scarf counterpart to Whitney’s cowl showcases a mini-herringbone pattern, bordered by slip stitch rib edges. To highlight the timelessness of herringbone, I knit this scarf with Swan’s Island Worsted, a sumptuously soft organic wool inspired by the rugged traditions of coastal knitting. I hope you find this pattern as classic and handsome as Whitney’s cowl is modern and chic!
Update: New Yarn
October 27, 2017
A little bit bigger than our original version, this one also gets a yarn update. We knit it up in our unspeakably soft Understory, a baby alpaca, baby yak and silk blend, here in the rich and juicy color Ripe Plum. It also has new selvage stitches, as well as an accompanying all-new Mini Herringbone video tutorial that shows you how it’s done!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoMensMiniHerringboneCowl. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Swan’s Island’s Worsted. Each skein is 250 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 500 yards required. I used the color Oatmeal. (NOTE: We no longer offer Swan’s Island’s Worsted, but choose from one of our other worsted weight yarns.)
- US 10 (6 mm), straight or circular needles
Gauge
30 stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
Finished Dimensions: 7½ inches wide x 62 inches long
Notes
Slipped Stitches
All slipped stitches are to be slipped purl-wise.
Mini Herringbone Stitch
For more help with this stitch pattern, check out our video tutorial, above!
Pattern
Cast on 55 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 wyif (with yarn in front), p1, k1, * p2tog and leave stitches on needle, purl the first stitch again and drop both stitches together from left-hand needle, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p1, k1, p2.
Row 2: Slip 1 wyib (with yarn in back), k1, p1, * slip 1 with yarn in back, k1, then with left-hand needle raise up the slipped stitch as if to bind off but before dropping off right-hand needle, knit it and then drop from needle, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k1, p1, k2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 row until scarf measures approximately 61 1/2 inches or until desired length. Repeat Row 1 once more.Bind off in pattern with RS facing. To do that… once you have bound off the three selvage stitches and are working the Mini-Herringbone stitch pattern, instead of knitting the slipped stitch as you slip it up and off the right-hand needle, as you have done previously, just drop the slipped stitch of the right-hand needle without knitting it.
Here is a video that goes through the bind off step by step…
Weave in your ends and block if desired.
Love the look of the scarf and the border is a very nice touch
It looks terrific!
I would love to add it to my Ravelry queue, but I cannot find a Ravelry entry for this pattern.
Is there one?
First of all, this is BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for sharing.
Second, doesn't this version (with the border) need to be worked over an even number of stitches? In essence you're adding 6 stitches to the mini herringbone basic stitch, but you're also taking away the purl and knit stitches at the very end of each row. All I know for sure though, is that I tried it with 55 and ended up with 4 stitches left on my left needle, not three. Help?
Pattern row two is missing an asterisk. Where does it go?
Hi Bummble, Great question! I added it to Ravelry yesterday morning. Are you still having a hard time finding it? Let us know!! Thanks, Laura
Diane. THANK YOU. I just added the asterisk. Thank you, thank you, thank you! –Laura
Hi Allison, Thank you for the kind words. As for the pattern… the Herringbone portion of the scarf is (and needs to be) worked over an odd number of stitches! Each Slip-Stitch Rib requires 3 stitches. So, 3 for the rib + 49 for the Mini Herringbone + 3 for the second rib = 55. Does this help? Please let me know if you are still stumped! Thanks for writing in. –Laura
What a lovely pattern. The scarf looks so cozy. I will secretly try to make one for my husband!
Please disregard my totally mistaken previous message, sometimes I'm really too silly. Best wishes Rae
I love this version of the herringbone! It's so beautiful! I'm in the middle of another project but I had to break off to make a guage just to make sure I was doing it correctly! The only questions that I have now are where does one go to sort it out when one has dropped a stitch! 😀 and how I can work out reducing it if I want to the stitch for something else. THank you again!
Hi Slang, Thanks for writing in. When I am knitting an unfamiliar pattern and ma confused as to how to un-do a mistake or pick up a dropped stitch, usually, very carefully, I pull a few stitches out very slowly, watching how the stitches interact with one another. After studying this, I can usually see the rhythm of the stitch pattern and find a spot to pick back up. Hope this helps! -Laura
Where can I go for some videos or tutorials on using this pattern? I tried to follow this to the best of my ability, but my scarf doesn't look right! Thanks! PS – This is beautiful and I can't wait to wear it when I'm done!
Hi Nicole-
Unfortunately there aren't any videos that we know of that use this pattern. Is there something specifically that you're having trouble with? Please let us know!
Thank you!
Molly
Hi!
I love this scarf! Beautiful!
I always have such a hard time figuring out yarn substitutions. I have some Savannah DK and wonder if it can be subbed for the worsted you used here. It looks to be a bit lighter weight. And it recommends using a smaller needle size. So, would I want to use the smaller needle size and add stitches? I always end up confusing my self! Any help you could give would be so appreciated! Thanks!
Kelley
Hi! I'm about 7 inches in and although the scarf is beautiful it doesn't really look like herringbone…hmm. I wonder if my yarn substitution is throwing me off? If you don't mind taking a look I'd appreciate it so much — next I want to do the big herringbone cowl, and I'd like to figure this out first. THANKS!
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mmromig/mens-mini-herringbone-scarf
Margaret… thanks for including the link. Your stitches look great. Keep it up and let us know how you like the Big Herringbone Cowl when you get to it. -Laura
Would it be absolutely crazy of me to try to convert this pattern into a baby blanket?? I love the pattern and the drape so much. Thanks for you your input! *K
Kelli… it would be amazing if you converted this into a baby blanket. It would be so cozy and beautiful. You could go up in yarn weight/needles to make it a little less time consuming. Please please lets us know how it goes! -Laura
This scarf looks wonderful and I am planning to knit it for my father to give him when I visit at Christmas in the UK (I live in Australia). Quick question – do you by any chance have a pattern for a matching hat or beanie?
Hey Tracy. So glad you like the pattern. And thanks for writing in. We do not currently have a pattern for a matching hat or beanie, but what a great idea! -Laura
hello!
thank you very much for sharing this pattern….i really love it…
i'm trying working on it but the problem is when i finished several rows e.g. <10 rows...it seems like the scraft is mis.shaped...it looks like in rhombus shape...instead of normal square...i did re-do it several times...but still have this problem...i feel like the middle of the scarf is too tight while the other two sides are loose...is this the reason? i'm looking forward to re-do it again by knitting it tighter at the beginning and in the end while knitting loosely in the middle. Not sure that i can fix it!
Hi Chano.
I am sorry you've had to start and re-start so many times. I am not sure why the scarf is slanting to one side. Sometimes, with certain stitch patterns, I have this issue. Usually it is just slight and after blocking the finished pieces, all is resolved. I am not sure that trying to adjust your tension is going to fix the problem. We knit how we knit and the best thing to do is be consistant.
Sorry to not be more help.
Let me know if you have better luck next time.
Laura
hi,
i've tried 25 stitches with a new yarn and it works!
Gonna try 55 stitches tonight 🙂
thanks
Chano
Hello,
I'm working on the herringbone cowl now; I love it! I love this too! I think I will knit it after the cowl. Do you have any other yarn recommendations that could substitute for swan's island? Thanks for sharing all of these gorgeous patterns!
Olivia
Hi Olivia-
You could use any worsted weight yarn for this project! You will neec 500 yards total. Here are some good options:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7795-Brooklyn-Tweed-Shelter
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/649-Cascade-Yarns-Cascade-220
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8065-Cascade-Yarns-Eco-Cloud
Thanks!
Molly
I'm new to knitting, and I'm wondering about the border pattern. Do I pass the yarn behind the needles before I knit for the (S1, P1, K1)?
Hi Cori,
Great questions. On the wrong side, hold the yarn in the front while you slip the first stitch purl-wise, keep your yarn in the front to purl the following stitch, then take the yarn to the back to knit the next stitch.
On the right side, hold the yarn in the back while you slip the first stitch purl-wise, keep the yarn in the back to knit the following stitch, then bring it to the front to purl the next stitch.
Hope this helps!
Laura
Thank you, Laura!
My border is a little loose (any tips for making it look great like yours?), but it's definitely the right stitch now.
Hi Cori.
So glad it's working.
As for the loose edge… Make sure to maintain a taut working yarn when you are slipping that first stitch.
Hope that helps. Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Hello,
I absolutely love the pattern! I got pretty far in the knitting so far, however I accidentally slipped and it ruined the stitch. Now I'm not sure how to fix it. I'm not sure how to unravel it. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Shirley,
My best advice for this, and it goes for all stitch patterns, is to slide your needles out. Pull your working yarn slowly and carefully study how the stitches pull out. This will help you understand how to pick them back up. I know this is kind of vague, but hopefully it helps.
Laura
Thank you so much for sharing the pattern I made this scarf as a birthday present out of cashmere wool and it came out beautifully!
I just love this scarf pattern. And, now that I have the yarn on the needles .. I love it even more! Thank you so much. I am making two for Christmas gifts .. I'm sure the recipients will be pleased. I'm using the yarn you recommended .. one in Seasmoke and the other in Shale .. it knits up beautifully. Again, thank you for posting this pattern.
Can you confirm for me, in the instruction as below, work in Mini Herringbone to last 3 stitches, k1, p2
Row 1 (WS): Sl1 wyif, p1, k1, work in Mini Herringbone to last 3 stitches, k1, p2
but when you go to the Mini Herringbone instructions, says repeat pattern to the last stitch then p1
So really you would repeat until last 4 stitches so you could p1, then k1, p2
same for row 2
Hi Susan,
The last stitch of the Mini Herringbone stitch is p1. Then you work the last three stitches: k1, p2. The last three stitches create the edge detail.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
I am a little confused Purl Bee 🙂 new to knitting (jus finished my first project 🙂 after the first * on ws do I purl one each time I finish herringbone stitch pattern? I guess same ? for ws, one knit stitch after each herringbone pattern? This is like learning new language! 🙂 any suggestions for a scarf for a eight year old girl? Sorry so many ?'s.
Connie
Hi, I',m also new to knitting but this seems to be a good next step into starting something more challenging. There are some questions that keep nagging at me before I start it and mess it up again.
For the WS rows, once I finish S1 P1 K1 then go into the repeating P2tog.. I noticed the yarn is in the back because of the K1. Should I turn it over to the front for *P2tog? I've only done stockinette stitch and ribbed scarves so far so I wasn't sure if turning the yarn over for any type of purl stitch is implied knowledge and what all knitters should do..
Hi Karen. Welcome to knitting! Hope you're loving it.
After you Sl1, P1, K1, then you should bring your yarn between your needles to the front of your work in order to being the Mini Herringbone Pattern, just as you did between the P1 and K1 at the beginning of the row .When you say 'turn your yarn over' I am assuming you mean bring it to the front or to the back. Do not turn your work, however, until you have reached the end of the row.
Please please please let me know if you have any questions at all. This isn't a hard pattern, but it is a leap from stockinette and ribbing. I'm very impressed!
Laura
Help….I just can't seem to “get” the right side of the mini herringbone. I don't understand what or how you “lift” the slip stitch and then knit it. Could you explain it in different words. I've made the herringbone cowl with no issues, but this mini herringbone is not getting through my brain.
I'm attempting to start this scarf but I keep goofing on the RS because when I try to knit into the slipped stitch, I find that the yarn gets very tight and hard to maneuver. Should I be knitting into the same stitch every time? Am I over thinking the pattern or doing something wrong?
Hello,
I really love this scarf and want to knit it for my boyfriend, but I do have a question.
I am using 100% merino wool yarn for needles 6-7mm. I made swatches with both 8 and 9mm and cannot decide which is better. I know that you are supposed to use one needle up (so the 8mm needle), but the swatch feels rather stiff. The 9mm swatch seems more soft and fluffy, but a bit loose. Your version of this scarf seems so soft and the drape looks amazing, I am just afraid that when I use the 8mm needles, the drape will be not nice.
What do you recommend? I am turning my family crazy trying to get their opinion 🙂
Hi there, this pattern is beautiful! I want to make a lap blanket using this pattern. How many stitches I need for the herringbone? I'll then cast on a multiple of ? + 6. Hope I'm making sense :). Thanks again!
Hi Meems-
All you need to do is cast on an uneven number of stitches. You can make is as large or small as you want!
Thank you!
Molly
Hi Noelle.
Sorry you are struggling with the pattern. With this stitch, sometimes it is helpful to go up a needle size, which should relieve some of the tautness. Also, sometimes it just takes a few rows to get the rhythm. Has it gotten any easier? Let me know if I can help more.
Thanks for writing in,
Laura
Hi Carolyn,
Slip one stitch, then knit the next stitch. Now look at your right-hand needle, slip the tip of the left-hand needle purl-wise into the stitch farthest right on the right-hand needle. Lift it up as if to slip it off the needle, but just before you slip it off, knit it.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Hi Laura,
thanks for that last explanation of the RS stitches.
When you say “Lift it up as if to slip it off the needle, but just before you slip it off, knit it.”
I'm wondering whether you knit it purl-wise or if you end up getting a “twisted” knitted stitch..?
(sorry if it doesnt make sense..)
Greetings from Norway
Hi Marit.
Your question totally makes sense! And ask as many as you have. That's why we're here. So. When you are grabbing that slipped stitch with the left-hand needle, insert the left-hand needle into the front of the slipped stitch. That way it won't be twisted when you knit it. Let me know if this helps or not.
Laura
Hi SinFan.
I know what you mean about driving our family crazy. Sometimes it's just so hard to decide. I tend to like my knits a bit tighter than other people do. Whitney (of Whit's Knits) is always suggesting I go up a needle size). If you feel the larger needle creates a fabric with holes then perhaps go with the smaller size needle. Knits tend to bloom and grow a bit once worn, so the scarf with drap more and more with wear. Does this help?
Hope it turns out to your liking!
Laura
Hi,
I really want to make this scarf, it's beautiful, but I just don't see the same pattern coming through on mine, as the images you've provided. I have no idea where I'm going wrong! I feel that I'm stitching a completely different pattern by accident Is there somewhere I could upload a close up photo? I'm wondering if it's the yarn I've chosen to test with or if I'm reading an instruction wrong… feeling a little disappointed 🙁
thanks!
Hello Lindsay.
I am sorry you are disappointed. I am not sure which step of the pattern is causing the problem. Is your yarn machine spun? Hand spun yarns look quite different in this stitch. Is your gauge correct? When knit loose, the fabric can have gaps or holes. I do not have more zoomed in image.
Please let me know if I can help you out in any other way.
Laura