It’s a purl-less rib! Yes, that’s right, a rib created without a single purl. It can’t be done, you say? Well, with a series of smartly placed slip stitches, indeed it can! I present to you a classic stitch pattern: the Cartridge Belt Rib.
Lots of knitters count the Cartridge Belt Rib among their favorite stitch patterns, and you can officially lump me in. This robust rib stitch produces prominent columns of elongated knit stitches separated by broad valleys of dense texture. The juxtaposition is not only fascinating; it’s beautiful too.
I knit up this quick and easy No-Purl Ribbed Scarf in Purl Soho’s gorgeous Alpaca Pure. Outrageously cozy, nothing feels better on cold day! -Laura
PS: Loving this? Check out the Cartridge Belt Rib stitch Forever Baby Blanket knit up in Anzula’s For Better. Or looking for a cowl? Try the Fluted Cowl, knit up in Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino. It uses a slightly different stitch pattern but has a similar effect!
Materials
- 4 (5) skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% alpaca. I used the color Steel Blue.
- US 8 straight or circular needles
Gauge
22 stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Size
8 ½ inches wide x 64 (80) inches long
Notes
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
This stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.
Pattern
Cast on 47 stitches
Row 1: K3, *slip 1 wyif (with yarn in front), k3, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2: K1, *slip 1 wyif, k3, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, slip 1 wyif, k1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 64 (80) inches from cast on edge or until desired length, ending with Row 2.
Bind off in a k3, p1 rib. Here’s how… K2, slip the first stitch over, k1, slip the first stitch over, *p1, slip the first stitch over, [k1, slip the first stitch over] 3 times, repeat from * to end of row.
Weave in ends and block as desired.
PRINT
Can this be done on circular needles?
Hello, Sheila!
Thank you so much for writing in! Sorry about the delayed response! You can totally knit this flat using circular needles. If you have further questions please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Very nice pattern .Thank you .
Beautiful stitch. Is an actual purl stitch used on the bind off row?
I am confused.
Hello, Dolores!
Thank you for writing in! For the bind off row you’ll be binding off in a k3, p1 rib. To do this you will K2, slip the first stitch over, k1, slip the first stitch over, *p1, slip the first stitch over, [k1, slip the first stitch over] 3 times, repeat from * to end of row.
Does that help? Please let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
Helped me, thanks!
On the No-Purl Ribbed Scarf, when binding off, the part in brackets, ” [k1, slip the first stitch over] 3 times”, I am to do that sequence 3x, and after the 3rd time, I repeat from the *p1, and start that sequence, with the bracket part, over to the end of row. Is that correct? I have never done a bind-off like that, and want to make sure I understand!
Thank you!
Hi Mary,
You are correct. You’ll first P1 and then repeat the instructions in the brackets three times and then repeat from P1 again. Good luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
Hi! I just wanted to let everyone know, I recently made this scarf with worsted twist and it came out beautifully. I used 3 skeins to make a 72 inch scarf.
Thank you for this pattern!
Also, I should add, I casted on 43 stitches for the above scarf.
Is this brioche stitch?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in! This stitch pattern is not achieved using brioche. In simplest terms, the brioche stitch involves knitting 2 together a various points in the stitch pattern whereas the stitch pattern in this scarf is a combination of knits, purls and slipped stitches. We do have a scarf that uses the brioche stitch if you would like to examine the pattern further. It is the Brioche Scarf.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I’m wanting to make this scarf using the Mulberry Merino yarn…your thoughts? Would I need the same amount of skeins as if using the Alpaca Pure? Also, making for a man who does his own laundry, can you suggest a yarn/fiber more washing machine friendly? Thanks! ❤️
Hi Sandii,
Thanks for writing in and for your interest in this pattern! You could do this scarf in Mulberry Merino, but you’d have to adjust the cast on amount since Alpaca Pure is a thicker yarn. Also, Mulberry Merino is not machine washable — only by hand. I suggest you try looking at Anzula – For Better or Worsted. This yarn is worsted weight like Alpaca Pure and even better, it is machine washable! Happy hunting!
Best,
Adam
If I wanted to make this a bit narrower, would you suggest I size down on needles (to a US 6 or 7) or that I cast on 43 stitches instead??
Hi Judy,
Thanks for writing in! To make this scarf a bit narrower, all you will have to do is adjust the stitch count. I would not recommend changing the needle size as it will change the quality of the fabric. That said you could always do a gauge swatch to see if going down a needle size or two creates a fabric that you like. To adjust the cast-on you will need to cast-on a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Thanks! I’m excited to get started with this one.
Hi, I love this pattern and it was great fun making it! was wondering about blocking? Its already pretty long, does it actually need to be blocked? Thanks Lorna
Hi Lorna,
Thanks for the question! Blocking for this scarf is be personal preference. I find that blocking evens out my stitches and thus do it for every item that I knit. However, if your scarf looks great when you are finished, you may not need to block it. The beauty of knitting is that we get to make our own rules! You can certainly forgo blocking in this case so long as you love your scarf!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi Cassy,
Thanks so much for your reply! Yes I’m super happy with the result and will give it to my boyfriend as a Sinterklaas present (Dutch holiday). Love all your patters! -L x
Can this be knit in the round?
Thanks.
Hi, Lisa!
Thank you for your interest in this pattern. Unfortunately at this time we do not offer this pattern for working it in the round. We do however have a ton of other fantastic cowl patterns. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/knit-accessories/knit-accessories-type-cowls/ Hopefully we have something that will catch your eye. The Fluted Cowl https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/11/11/super-soft-merino-fluted-cowl/ is worked up in a thicker yarn but it is a very similar fabric to our No-Purl Ribbed Scarf.
Please let us know if you have any further questions and thank you for writing in!
Best,
Kumeko
I was thinking of doing this or brioche in the new cashmere merino bloom. I would think you could make it long then sew ends together to make it a cowl. Like you do with the gradient cowl.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for writing in! You absolutely could turn the scarf into a cowl using the same technique as our gradient cowl. I think that the resulting cowl would be lovely!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello,
could you let me know if the odd numbered rows are the RS? I am mirror knitting so I am always facing the RS, and therefore would like to know what’s RS and what’s WS. Also, what cast on do you suggest? Longtail?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for writing in! How cool! Mirror knitting is such a neat technique. This scarf is totally reversible so there is no wrong or right side. You can decide which side you would like to be the right versus the wrong side and it should come out beautifully. As far as a cast-on, unless otherwise noted, we always use the long tail cast-on. We think it makes a neat and stretchy beginning to this project and many more!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I want to make a sweater using this method. I am using a picture as my pattern. There are increases on both sides of six rows of rib stitching. Can increases and decreases be done using this no purl rib method. I love the concept. Thank you for your help.
Hi Betty,
Thanks for writing in to us! I think it’s doable to increase and decrease in this stitch. Both the increases and decreases for this stitch will be a style element in the sweater because it’s a four stitch repeat. In other words, you’ll have a few rows when increasing/decreasing where the increase will not be at the four stitch repeat. Once you have increased/decreased four stitches, the pattern will normalize. Best of luck!
-Adam
I recently finished the no purl scarf using Juniper Moon Herriot on #8 needles. I have a lovely, soft scarf. I now have two skeins (200 yds each) of each of three colors. I would like to make another one of your scarves. Which of your patterns would you suggest I try.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for writing in! We are delighted to hear that you enjoy your No-Purl Ribbed scarf! You could give our Color Tipped Scarf or our Fisherman’s Rib Cowl a try. Let us know what you think!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Is there a way to produce a nicer selvage for this pattern?
Love all your patterns!!
Thanks,
Anne
Hi Anne,
I think that if you slip 1 purl-wise through the back loop, you’ll get the selvedge you are looking for.
Best,
Adam
Help! I just started this this evening and while I haven’t gotten very far the slipped stitches are proving to be much tighter than the ones I’m knitting, causing the scarf to curl up. I’ve never tried this technique so I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong or if it will lay flat once it’s long enough. Any tips, or should I just start over? I’m trying to leave them loose but I can’t tell if it’s helping. Thanks!
Hi Amanda!
Thank you so much for writing in! As you noted, it sounds like your tension on the slipped stitch is on the tight side. Blocking the scarf once you’ve finished should help flatten out some that curl. Please keep us updated on your progress!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I’m using 100% acrylic yarn for a scarf for my five year old granddaughter. Will this pattern work with this thicker yarn?
Hi Karen!
Thank you so much for writing in! You can totally use a chunkier yarn with this pattern! You will need to adjust the number of cast-on stitches, but we are happy to help you figure that out. The No-Purl Ribbed Scarf is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. So, to determine your cast on number you would multiply the number of stitches you are getting per inch by how wide you would like the scarf. Then make sure that that number is a multiple of 4 + 3. Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Can I make this scarf using two colors, similar to the color dipped scarf? Thanks!!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for writing us! Unfortunately this stitch pattern doesn’t work well with color work because it’s not a brioche or a fisherman’s rib. We do have a Color Dipped Scarf pattern though! Check it out!
-Adam
I would like to make this scarf using Cashmere Blum. Needle size and cast on?
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for writing in! I think that this scarf would be lovely in Cashmere Merino Bloom. To get a scarf of equal width, I would suggest casting on 59 stitches on US 6 needles.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi there,
I’ve just bought 4 skeins of the Purl Soho cashmere merino yarn and I was wondering how many stitches I would cast on and what size of needles I would use to do this scarf with it.
Thank you for your help,
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing in! I think that this scarf would be lovely in Cashmere Merino Bloom. To get a scarf of equal width, I would suggest casting on 59 stitches on US 6 needles.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Thanks Cassy (I’m rubbish at doing that lol),
Just one more thing; I’ve noticed the Cashmere Merino Bloom is quite dense, with the above conversion that you provided will the scarf be “drapey” enough?
Cheers,
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing back! This conversion does take the yarn into account and is based on how we knit our Mistake Rib scarf using Cashmere Merino Bloom!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
How many stitches to make slightly narrower please and thank you
Hi Lori,
Thank you for writing! This stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. So to make a narrower version you could cast on 43 or 39 stitches instead of the 47 called for. You may choose any width so long as the number of stitches that you cast on is a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello,
This is a lovely pattern (and yarn) but would like to make it a cowl which i understand would mean the ribbing would be in the other direction. what are your thoughts on how that would look?
Thank you,
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
I think that it would look quite nice! The ribbing would be vertical but you wouldn’t notice this much with the cowl being wrapped round and round. I think you should go for it!
-Adam
I love this pattern! I made it using bulky weight yaen and size 10 (US) needles. I cast on 31 sts and followed the pattern as written. (cast-on is multiple of 4…..plus 3) the result is lovely. Thanks for rhe pattern!
Do you have a video for this stitch?
Thank you.
Hi Micaela,
Thanks for writing us. We don’t currently have a video for this. Is there a question you have about the stitch? Let me know.
-Adam
Hi again Cassey,
Just one more thing; I’ve noticed the Cashmere Merino Bloom is quite dense, with the above conversion that you provided will the scarf be “drapey” enough or should I go up a needle size or so?
Cheers,
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing back! This conversion does take into account the drape of the Cashmere Merino Bloom and is based on the needle size we used for the Mistake Rib Scarf in Cashmere Merino Bloom!
Best,
Cassy
Thank you for the No Purl Rib Scarf pattern. I’m making it now and wonder if there is a hat pattern to match.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for writing in! At present, there is not a matching hat pattern but we will certainly keep your request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
Hi Cassy,
I’ve been looking for a matching hat too! This scarf pattern is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it!
Hello! Thank you for this lovely pattern, I was wondering if I could make this patter using fingering or 4ply wool with 3.75mm needles?
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! The beauty of this scarf is that it can be knit with yarns of any gauge with a little bit of modification. This stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. So to get your cast on number, you will knit a gauge swatch, measure the stitches that you are getting per inch and multiply that by the width of the scarf. Just be sure to cast on the nearest number of stitches that is a multiple of 4 + 3.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
The pattern worked perfectly, thank you. I substituted another worsted weight super wash and it still turned out great. Its easy to get into a rhythm once used to the pattern.
Hi. I just finished the No-Purl Ribbed Scharf in Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure,100% alpaca and it is beautiful. Earlier I have knitted one Cashmere Ombre Wrap in Jade Sapphire’s 4 Ply 100% Mongolian cashmere and it is beautiful too. Now I would like to knit a Mistake Rib Scarf in Cashmere Merino Bloom in the color Lavender Moon 1610 CMB, Solid. Is it possible to send me a sample of the yarn before I make an order?
Yours faithfullt
Annie Elmer
Hi Annie,
I’m so glad you’re loving our patterns! Unfortunately we cannot send a sample of the yarn, but I can assure you that the yarn and quality are beautiful. The cashmere content in the yarn gives it a softness, while the marino give the yarn a stability. While the yarn is fuzzy, there isn’t a ton of pilling. The color lavender moon is a light purple and has a hint of a gray tone to it. It’s very subtle. I hope this description helps you make your decision!
-Adam
I am particularly interested in the pattern if the finished scarf does not curl easily. Can you comment further on the lay of the scarf?
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! This scarf sits flat once knit. As there is no stockinette, the scarf will not roll of it’s own accord!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Yes, thank you, Cassy!
Is this yarn a blended color ? When I look at the skein it looks to be a solid. When I look at the scarf it appears to be several colors , variegated in the same blue family.
Hi Carole,
Thanks for the question! The yarn used for this project is all one color and the variegation you are seeing is from the shadows during the photoshoot.
All the best,
Adam
I am knitting this scarf in Cartidge rib (no purl stitch) and I am finding that the 2nd stitch , which is a slip stitch pulls up all the way to the top (last row) that I am knitting. This is causing the entire piece of work to be skew at the bottom and puckers all the way up. This is happening on row 2 where you start with a k1 and then slip wyif. The rest of the slip stitches are just fine. I have tried to loosen my tension before and after the slip stitch and to loosen tension on the loop where the yarn goes in front, but it makes no difference. Any suggestions?
Hi Tiesa,
Thanks for writing in! I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulties. It sounds like perhaps your tension at the end and beginning of rows may be a bit tighter than for the rest of the row. I would suggest that in addition to loosening your tension for the particular stitch, you may want to try loosening up a bit for the stitches at the start and end of the row and see if that helps at all.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thankyou for the freebie pattern. I love the idea of knitting a ribbed scarf without having to purl. I am so going to try this with a Caron cake for my father in ,as Christmas gift. Can you clarify if the slipped stitch is slipped purl wise or knitwise please?
Thanks
Hi Viv,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! For this pattern you will slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Just wondering if one makes a mistake doing this pattern stitch is it difficult to correct with all the slipped stitches?
Hi Robin,
Thanks for writing in and for your question! It certainly is a bit more challenging to correct mistakes in this pattern than in a more basic rib. My advice would be to tink back, which allows you to undo each stitch correctly as you come to it. This is quite straight forward and no more challenging than tinking back a standard rib.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I am very new to knitting and am just learning the slip stitch. Could you advise: on a pattern for example that advises, K2, P1, etc. if you slip stitch the first stitch do you then proceed with K2 or is the first stitch already counted and you continue with K1, P2? When casting on your stitches do you allow for the additional stitch this is making if not? I really appreciate the clarification and hope I am not overthinking this …..thank you for your patience.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for writing in! When you slip the first stitch of the row, you will generally treat this as your first stitch. So if your pattern is k2, p1, you will slip 1, k1, p1.
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
I am almost done with this scarf, but I have a question about the bind off. The cast on edge is really stretchy and I was hoping you could tell me if you used a bigger needle size for the bind off to replicate the stretch of the cast on.
Thank you!
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing in! We did not go up a needle size here for the bind off. However, you certainly can if you feel your bind off it too tight. It is a trick that I frequently use if my bind off it not as loose as I would like!
Best,
Cassy
Reading through the comments for this scarf (recently posted in your newsletter), one writer spoke of knitting a matching hat. I would LOVE that. I am pretty bad at designing patterns … so it would be great if, one of these days, someone at Purl Soho could develop a pattern for a hat to match the “No Purl Ribbed Scarf”!
Hi Carel,
Thanks for writing in and for adding your voice to those requesting a matching hat! We will certainly keep it in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
I want to make this wider. I understand about needing the cast on stitches being a multiple of 4+3. My question is when doing a swatch to figure out how many stitches to the inch do I just create a swatch of stockinette or do I do a swatch in the cartridge rib pattern? Thank you!
Hi Julie,
Great question! You will want to knit your swatch in pattern. As cartridge rib (and all ribs) tend to pull in more, to get an accurate idea of the stitches per inch that you are getting, you will want your swatch to be made using the same pattern as you will use in your project!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I would love to have a simple hat pattern in this stitch to wear with the scarf.
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for writing in! At present we do not have a matching hat pattern for this lovely scarf but we will certainly keep your request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
It’s soft beautiful n easy
This is such a wonderful stitch, producing a terrific squishy ribbed fabric. Wouldn’t it work in place of any balanced knit-purl ribbing? Like on cuffs? Now that I’ve got this stitch in my hands, k1-p1 feels so inefficient!
Thanks!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! This pattern could certainly work in many places so long as the ribbing is knit flat! Knitting this pattern in the round would necessitate altering it to include purling! You will also want to be sure that the number of stitches fits a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Is there a way to easily print this pattern?
Hello Kathleen,
Thank you for reaching out! Yes! If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
I hope this helps!
-Marilla
I am very excited to try this pattern. Thank you for your well written instructions for binding off that particular bind off technique.
This pattern is nice.
I want to make the edges not curl and neat.
Can I slip the first stitch on every row? If yes, should be purlwise or knitwise?
Hi Christy,
Thanks for writing in! This stitch pattern does lay flat on its own so major modifications are not necessary, but you can slip the first stitch of each row purlwise through the back loop if you prefer a different selvage.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Love this pattern, super easy to knit, great project for tv watching or knitting at meetings when you don’t need careful concentration, yet it looks complex! I knit it in Alpaca Pure in Artemesia Green, a very pale grey/green and it is gorgeous! Warm yet light. I love it and if be n getting SO many compliments on it. Thanks for introducing me to this nice stitch and a beautiful scarf!