This Easy Mistake Stitch scarf is made with Jade Sapphire’s gorgeous 12-ply Cashmere in color “Green Tea”. If you know how to knit and purl you can make this scarf! Mistake Stitch creates a deep and lofty rib that looks like so much more work than it actually is.
If you’re interested in the Lovely Leaf Lace Scarf (the orange one on the right), you can find the full, free pattern right here!
Materials
- 5 skeins 12 ply cashmere. For this scarf I used Jade Sapphire’s amazing 12-ply Cashmere in color “Green Tea”. If you’d like to explore other yarns for this project, check out our collection of chunky yarns, you will need 300 yards total to complete the scarf.
- US size 11 needles (or size required to get gauge)
Gauge
4.5 stitches per inch in rib pattern, slightly stretched
Finished Measurements
48-inches long by approximately 8-inches wide
Pattern Note
Mistake rib is a multiple of 4+3
The Pattern
Cast on 39 stitches.
K2, p2, repeat to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.
Repeat this row. That’s it!
Bind off in stitch pattern.
Sew in ends, wash gently by hand, block and let air dry.
PRINT
Could I make this scarf on circular needles if yes please tell me how many stitches to cast using size ten needles bulky weight yarn
Hi Laura-
You could make this scarf on circular needles if you use the needles to knit back and forth and not in a circle. We actually use circular needles for all of our projects.
You probably don’t need to change the cast on number because it sounds like you are using similar yarn with only slightly smaller needles. But if you would like to change the cast on just make sure the cast on number is a multiple of 4 plus 3.
Thanks!
Molly
Yay Molly! Someone else that uses circulars for all their knitting
The only exception I have these days is using dpn for working the fingers on gloves. Love all the patterns and designs on the site, find it wonderful for inspiration.
Must go now and carry on my Christmas knitting.
You can use circular needles for glove fingers and socks if you use the magic loop method. You can find tutorials if you google “magic loop.”
I’ve always used circular needles for everything. When I use singles, I always lose one. I can set it down next to me and still lose it. I’d have to lose the whole project when I use circulars.
Thanks for sharing your tips Sheila! -Alyson
I knit everything on circular needles. Use them as tho straight needles but just much easier to keep things from slipping off or have ends sticking out.
Hello Linda!
I usually do too! It makes for easier subway knitting since your elbows don’t stick out as much! Happy knitting! -Alyson
I, too, use circulars for everything, even double cables or magic loop for small stuff.
I teach knitting and other needlecrafts at a YMCA and I have all my students use circulars from the beginning. I use the excuse (actually the truth) that this is the only way I can avoid loosing a needle. I also knit my fair share of blankets (my biggest was 200 stitches in super bulky on 13s – ended up almost 100″ wide and I made it 6 feet long – as a sofa blanket for my granddaughter, her husband, their daughter and their dog!
All in one piece on 36″ circular.
I could not find yarn in the weight I wanted (5), so ended up with 6 which has a recommended needle size is 13. If I use size 13, I am guessing I’ll need to cast on fewer stitches? If I stay with the size 11 needles, and cast on the recommended 39 stitches, I am guessing I will have a scarf that doesn’t drape very well. What is your recommendation since drape is important to me?
Thank you
Hi Nan-
Everyone knits differently so needle size is always just a suggestion. We recommend that you try a gauge swatch before you cast on for the whole scarf and see how you like the resulting fabric and if you are getting the proper amount of stitches per inch. If it’s too tight you should go up a needle size, if it’s too loose you go down. For a pattern like this, that doesn’t have to fit like a hat or sweater you don’t have to get the perfect amount of stitches per inch- as long as it’s pretty close- you just have to like how it looks and feels!
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I should have added that the yarn I’m using is Lion Brand Thick & Quick. It’s heavier than the same brand in “chunky”, but as I said, the colors I needed were not available. I am using size 15 needles and as you can guess, there is not a lot of “drape.” Still, I will make this again and choose a yarn that is soft … for a man’s scarf, the thicker yarn will work just fine. This is such an easy pattern and I can’t wait to try it again.
With this pattern k2 pm and last 3 do k2 p1. When I finish the first row do I flip to the other side and do same knitting or do I do it in reverse thanks.
Hi Lucy!
You will knit the same row over and over again! Do not reverse the directions at all.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
with this pattern can you do a hat with it and how would you do it thanks.
Hi Lucy,
The Mistake Rib is not a 1 row pattern in the round. I’d probably suggest knitting a hat flat and doing a small seam!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I just finished a mistake stitch hat! It was a free pattern and is called Steinway Hat and the designer has directions for flat or circular needles. Just do a web search for it .
What do you mean when you say “sew in ends?”
Hi Chris!
It is also called “weaving in your ends.” We have a wonderful tutorial on the Purl Bee about how to weave in your ends. You can find it here.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hi, I am going to knit a scarf using 9mm needles and chunky yarn, a 500g ball, but I don’t know how many stitches to cast on? I would like it a decent length, but also not too thin.
Hi Marla-
The only way to tell is to knit a little swatch in the yarn. Cast on, say, 20 stitches and knit in your desired pattern until you have a square. You can measure your gauge (how many stitches you’re getting per inch) from this swatch and determine how many to cast on from there. It is very tricky to tell how much area you will get from one ball of yarn so unfortunately you may just have to wing it and possibly get more yarn if you don’t have enough to reach the length you like.
Thanks so much for getting in touch!
Molly
Gorgeous scarf and easy to make.
I’m making this as a gift. It’s so easy and looks even better than in the photo! I’m using Lion Brand Hometown USA and size 15 needles with 19 sts Cast on.
I have size 17 knitting needles and bulky yarn. How many stitches would I cast on?
Hi Lisa-
The only way to tell for sure is to knit a gauge swatch in the pattern! Knit a small square (roughly 4-inches X 4-inches) and then measure how many stitches you are getting per inch and multiply that number by 8 (8 inches is the finished width of the scarf) and round to the nearest multiple of 4 +3. For instance, if you are getting 3 stitches per inch in the pattern multiply 3 X 8 to get 24. 24 is a multiple of 4 so you can just add 3 to get 27 stitches to cast on.
Or, if you are feeling lazy and don’t want to do a gauge swatch you can try casting on 27 stitches and see if you like it!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Best-
Molly
Thanks for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Hello, I love this pattern and would love to knit it in strips! I am just not sure how that would work with the slip-stitch at the beginning of the rows. Any advice? Thanks so much!
Hi Karina!
I’m assuming you mean that you will eventually use mattress stitch to stitch strips together to make it wider. If so, it is actually easier to sew a mattress stitch if you have done a slip stitch edge. Just be sure that each side that you sew through is 2 rows, or 1 of the slipped stitches.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I knit left handed. If I follow the directions, will it still look the same or do I need to do something different?
Hi Jan!
You should be able to knit the pattern as it is written, and it will come out the same! As a mirror knitter, you’ll find you can do that on any pattern that isn’t asymmetrical.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hello,
Would it be possible to make this scarf out of wool and 2.75mm/3.25 mm needles? (I live where it’s summer for the whole year, so these are the best needles and wool that I can find. Is it okay? I really want to try this pattern out! If it’s possible, which size needle would go recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Jane!
This would be a pretty easy scarf to adjust. You can choose your wool and needles that match the wool, and all you need to remember is to cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 3 extra stitches. Experiment with cast on numbers that work for that multiple, and see how wide you’d like your scarf to be!
Happy knitting!
Thomas
love the simplicity of the pattern. Thanks.
Do I bind off in pattern? K2 P2?
Hi Cheryl-
Yes you should bind off in pattern!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Best-
Molly
If you cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 1, i.e. 37 (9 times 4+1) or 41(10 times 4 +1) you finish each row with a knit stitch and it gives you a FIRMER edge.
Daphne, would love to know how your pattern turned out
2304 Taylor AV.
This is a great pattern! It looks GREAT!
easy to work while sitting, chatting–watching TV
On a trip, car, train, or what ever.
Do you need to use a selvedge edge for this scarf? If so, can you tell me how this is done?
Is it okay if I use Malabrigo worsted with number 9 needles?
This is a nice pattern. I plan to make three as gifts. I hope this pattern is simple enough that I don’t mess up, or if I do, the mistake won’t show. I have a tendency to mess up something very simple.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Rosemary Gooden-
The complete pattern is shown here, you don’t have to do anything extra to the edges. It’s fine to use the other yarn and needle you mention, but the scarf will be thinner than this version. If you’d like to cast on extra stitches just make sure the total cast on number is a multiple of 4 + 3. I might try casting on 43 stitches if I were you.
Thanks for your questions and good luck with the project!
Molly
I’ve made one easy mistake rib scarf with one skein of Malabrigo Rios and casting on 39 stitches and using #9 needles. I want to make the next two scarves in the same yarn and amount, but narrower so I can make the scarf longer. I know that the stitch is 4+3, but I’m in a quandary as to the needle size and amount of yarn needed to make a narrower scarf.
Thank you for your help. My thoughts are with you as you anticipate a major snow storm.
Hi Rosemary!
We’re not very familiar with the Rios, but it looks like it is a worsted weight. For a scarf, it just matters that you use a needle that matches the yarn. For worsted weight, you’d use about an size 8 or so. I’m not sure how much yarn you need either. We used about 300 yards, and I think that would probably be enough even in worsted weight, maybe a little less if you are going narrower.
Hope this helps!
Thomas
I made one for my husband and it was beautiful.
Thank you!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/314266880223181997/
I am teaching my colleagues at the Health Department to knit (caps and scarves to be handed out at clinic on this 12F days) and this is the scarf pattern that I use.
It seems to me that when i knit the second row I would knit 1 (on the P stitch, then P 2, knit 2 etc., am i wrong?
Hi Bette-
The pattern is correct as written. If you give it a try using any scrap yarn you have laying around you’ll see how it comes together!
Thanks for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I stumbled upon this pattern on my own — same number stitches, everything. One recipient is 6’8″ and lives in North Dakota, the other is 4’10” and lives in Arizona. How long should the scarf be? I discovered that if the length of the scarf is the wearer’s height or a little more, when it wraps around the neck it is just the right length.
Hi Paulette-
I’m afraid there’s no magic formula for how long to make a scarf but you can shoot to make them about as tall as the wearer. I hope this helps and thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
One of the knitting books i have say’s to knit a scarf , as long as the person is tall. i have done 2 of them and it is right.
I followed the pattern, I think, and I feel like it didn’t turn out the way it’s pictured here. I actually made two scarves. I like what I made but I’d like to know why mine are so different than the one pictured here. I would say that the ridges/rows on the scarves that I made are horizontal/short while the ridges/rows on the scarf pictured here are vertical/long. Can you explain why?
Hi CMK-
It’s hard to tell without seeing your scarves. Would you mind sending us a photo so we can try to get to the bottom of this? [email protected]
Thank you!
Molly
I would like to know if it is possible to knit this mistake rib with two colors. I suppose I can knit with one color and purl with the other one. Am I right or have you another method?
Many thanks
Christine from Belgium
Hi Christine,
Thank you for the comment. You can absolutely use 2 colors to knit this. If you change colors every 2 rows you will be carrying the yarns up on the same side of the work and shouldn’t have to change the pattern at all. You can also switch color every row but you will need to use double pointed or circular needles so that you can slide to the opposite side of the work freely. If you change colors every row you may need to alter the stitch pattern slightly. I recommend doing some swatches and playing around with the colors to see what happens!
Good luck and let us know if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting,
Jake
I have seen patterns which suggest slipping the first stitch for a smoother edge. But it said “knit row” so I was curious if I would only slip that stitch on every other row!
Hi Karen,
Thank you for the comment! Slipping the first stitch does create a very nice, smooth edge. You will want to just slip the fist stitch in every row because that stitch will be knit in the following row as the last stitch. Here’s another version of the Mistake Rib Scarf that has the slip stitch worked into the pattern already;
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/11/17/mistake-rib-scarf-in-mulberry-merino/
I hope that answers your question and feel free to respond if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
I have “gobs” of 4 ply acrylic yarn and would love to use some of it to do this easy scarf. What size needle would you suggest and how many stitches would I need to cast on to make the scarf about 7/8 inches wide?
Hi Barb,
Thank you for writing us! I am not entirely sure what the weight of your yarn truly is, there is no real universal gauge for a 4 ply yarn as every company uses it’s own terms and qualifiers to describe weight of yarn. I think the yarn should fall in the needle size US 4 – US 7. I would try doing a gauge swatch in the stitch pattern on maybe a US 6 and decide if you think the fabric should have looser stitches or tighter ones and then try going up or down in needle size accordingly. Then you count how many stitches you achieve in one inch and multiply that number by your desired width to find a cast on number! Here’s a tutorial on how to check gauge; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2006/08/29/swatching-for-gauge/
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
Hello I have 60mm needles would that be do big to make scarfs? Could you suggest any good books for beginners??
Hi Tia-
60mm needles are really huge! We don’t carry any that large, but yes, large needles can be used to make big bulky scarves. I would recommend starting out with something a lot smaller thought! We have a great Learn to Knit kit that also comes as a separate book if you don’t want to get the whole kit: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8946-Purl-Soho-Learn-to-Knit-Kit
Good luck and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best-
Molly
Hi just going to start out this pattern. I am fairly new to knitting. I have a load of double knit wool would I get the same result and would the pattern have to change in anyway for example cast on stitches etc
Hello Samantha,
You’re right that you would need to change the pattern a little to accommodate the size yarn you want to use. I would estimate that you would need to double the number of stitches in the cast on. The only way to know precisely is to make a gauge swatch and measure out how many stitches per inch you get and then multiply that by how many inches wide you want your scarf to end up.
Hope this helps and happy knitting! -Alyson
This was my first knitting project. Thanks for such a simple pattern. Great for beginners.
HI i have just finish this project for my FIL & it is just a beautiful manly pattern that any beginners can have. I used size 8 straight needles and two different colors yarn.Thank you so much for this pattern , if you want, i would love to show you my work.Hope to have more like this. …….Sumana from India.
Hello Sumana!
We’re so glad to hear that the pattern worked out for you! We’d love to see your finished pieces on Ravelry or at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com. Happy knitting! -Alyson
“If you’re interested in the Lovely Leaf Lace Scarf (the orange one on the right), you can find the full, free pattern right here! – See more at: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/12/02/easy-mistake-stitch-scarf/#sthash.gWrA93ZH.dpuf”
Link is no longer available or correct. Do you have the pattern elsewhere? Thanks
Thanks for sharing Julie! Our site has gone under a major transition, so thanks for your patience!
Enjoy! -Alyson
When going up to the next row, it starts off as a purl stitch, should I purl that and then stitch two, then continue on? Or should I just knit two purl two?
Hi Nancy-
No, make sure you have cast on 39 stitches (or a multiple of 4 +3 if you are making a wider or narrower scarf), just repeat the first row over and over.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
I loved this pattern but, I am interested in using less yarn and turning it into a cowl with buttons. At what point would you suggest incorporating button holes in the pattern? Or could possibly point me in the direction of a good source to reference? Thank you!
Hello Jessica!
Would you like the cowl to go around your neck just once with buttons almost like a little collar? I would recommend measuring how long you want the final piece to be with a measuring tape around your neck and then put the button holes 2″ from the edge. I would recommend taking a look at some patterns on Ravelry for reference!
Best of luck! -Alyson
Do you have working pictures of this project? I am a self taught knitter…. like 5 days ago. I am questioning if I am correctly applying the pattern.
Hello Jodi,
Welcome to the knitting world! Unfortunately we don’t have more photos at this time of the stitch pattern in progress. What aspects are you having most trouble with? We’d be happy to expand and explain a certain technique if that would help! Let us know! -Alyson
I would like to use worsted weight yarn to make this scarf. How many stitches would I cast on and what size needles would I use?
Hello Theresa!
I would cast on 47 stitches and use size US 8 needles to create about an 8.5 inch wide scarf. Hope this helps! Enjoy! -Alyson
With reference Jessica’s query about knitting a cowl in mistake rib.I knitted one to the given pattern and kept measuring it around my neck while still on the needle to get the desired length. I preferred it wrapped around my neck twice, I do not stitch the ends together but fasten it with a decorative wooden pin. I have also used a kilt pin with small charms attached, I always receive positive comments about the cowl and pins. I live in the UK so I don’t know if these pins are available to the rest of the knitting world.
Hi, Caryl!
Thank you for your response! That is a wonderful suggestion! We do sell kilt pins (https://www.purlsoho.com/large-kilt-pins.html and https://www.purlsoho.com/small-kilt-pins.html) as well as some beautiful brass pins (https://www.purlsoho.com/brass-cloth-pins.html and https://www.purlsoho.com/brass-safety-pins.html). Again, thank you for writing in!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Is this scarf unisex? I am considering to make for my husband. Would dimensions be the same for a man’s scarf? Thank you.
Hello Diane!
Absolutely! This is quite a popular pattern with our customers for boyfriends, brothers, fathers, husbands, etc! Unless your husband prefers a specific width scarf, I’d keep the pattern as is for a standard width. Thanks for writing in and happy knitting! -Alyson
Do you have a pattern that knits vertically? I like to cast on a large amount. This makes it faster for me.
Hello Glenda!
We do have a few patterns knit vertically! Take a look here at our Sunshine Scarf https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/08/21/whits-knits-sunshine-scarf/ and our Bamboo Wedding Shawl: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/05/15/whits-knits-bamboo-wedding-shawl/
Thanks for writing in and happy knitting! -Alyson
I made a scarf with this stich pattern, before I knew what it was called. I used worsted weight yarn and maybe #9 (5.5mm) needles. Just finished another using #10.5 (6.5mm). while the scarf looks narrow, it stretches wider with ease. When I made the first one I used 25 stiches, now I am using 27. The pattern really becomes apparent after 5-6 rows.
Hi, last time I tried to make this scarf it came out WAY to wide, I was using thicker needles though, so if i now have size 10 will it be the same width as the picture?
Hi Alexis,
Thank you for writing in! You are correct that using a larger size needle and/or yarn will yield a wider scarf. If you would like to ensure that the scarf comes out to the same measurements as is pictured in the pattern, I recommend doing a gauge swatch with the needles and yarn that you intend to use. The gauge for this project is 4.5 stitches per inch in rib pattern, slightly stretched. If your gauge comes out differently, you can swatch again in a larger or smaller needle until you achieve the desired gauge. This will then allow you to knit the scarf to the pattern specification!
If you are unfamiliar with creating a gauge swatch, we have a handy tutorial available.
I hope that this clears things up!
Happy knitting!
-Cassy
I started the pattern (maybe 10 rows in) and I’m not seeing the ribbing! The math of it is also confusing for me. Don’t you want the knit stitches and the pearl stitches to line up? If you end with one pearl stitch, shouldn’t you start the next row with one pearl stitch so they line up? What am I missing? Thanks!
Hi, Evan!
Thank you for writing in! Sorry about the delayed response! If you have cast on the correct number of stitches and are following the pattern the rib will start to emerge soon! Just keep going for a few inches to see what’s really going on. If you have further questions please let us know! Again, thank you for your question.
Happy knitting,
Kumeko
Can you please tell me which cast on method you used? Thank you!
Hi Diana,
Thanks for writing in and my apologies for the terribly delayed response! Unless otherwise noted, we almost always use the long tail cast-on method. We think that it gives a lovely, even edge!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi, please tell me what does Mistake rib is a multiple of 4+3 mean? Am I supposed to implement it in the pattern? If so how. I am following the directions of the pattern but not sure about the note. Thank you
Hello, Sadiha!
Thank you so much for writing in! Sorry for the delayed response! The note that says, “Mistake Rib is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches,” just means that the stitch pattern requires a cast-on number that is a multiple of 4, then you add three stitches. For example, the cast on for this scarf is 67, but really it is 64+3. This note is here to help you figure out how many stitches to cast on if you wanted to change the width of the scarf, i.e. if you wanted to make it wider you could cast on 84+3 (87).
If you’re not going to make any adjustments to the pattern you don’t have to do a thing, just follow it as it’s written.
Again, thank you for writing in! If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Great pattern 😀 Love it!!
Thanksss
Hi – I was wondering if I could use this pattern on a knitting loom (like the knifty knitter).
Hi Peggy,
I looked up how to use the knifty knitter and I think that you could adapt this for the loom since the process is manual. A mistake rib is essentially a 2×2 rib over an odd amount of stitches. To make a purl stitch on the knifty knitter I would assume that you pass the bottom stitch over the top stitch from the back of the work instead of the front. I hope this helps and good luck!
-Adam
Hello from Australia,
I have used this pattern many times with many different yarns. It is such a versatile pattern that can be adapted easily. Am currently knitting with double 8ply wool (thats 16 ply) for a friend in cold Tasmania. Have also added tassels on occasion (for a teenager). The best and easiest pattern.
Regards
Sally
Hello from New York City!
So glad you like this pattern! Be sure to tag us on Instagram if you have it so we can see the final product!
Thanks,
Adam
Could I just use any size needle and yarn for this? Since it’s a scarf and it doesn’t have to be exact. Plus, it doesn’t state how many rows to knit. Just “repeat”
Hi Kay,
Thanks for the question! It is true that gauge and needle size is not as important for scarves as for sweaters and socks, but you also don’t want to make the scarf too wide or narrow. If you want to make this scarf in a different size yarn and needle, you’ll probably want to do a gauge swatch. To do this, you’ll knit a swatch to determine your stitches per inch and then multiply your stitches per inch by your desired width for the scarf. This pattern is knit up in multiples of 4 + 3, so it’s very much adjustable for width.
There is no row count for this scarf because you simply knit until your scarf is long enough! Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
An easy pattern. Just finished knitting one in self stripping yarn and it is lovely. Thank you for clear instructions.