Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

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.

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

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!

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

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

  • 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

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

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

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.

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.

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

Wrap yarn around a 6 inch tall piece of cardboard. (I wrapped my yarn around about 40 times.) Cut your yarn.

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

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.)

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

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.

Grecian Rib Scarf | Purl Soho

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.

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 over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!