There are people and cultures all over the world that not only abide by mistakes in their handcrafts, they cherish them. We love that the Mistake Rib embraces this philosophy. By the simple “mistake” of casting on one stitch too few, a basic 2 x 2 rib takes on depth and complexity beyond our expectations.
To catch the magic of this stitch, we used Purl Soho’s new Mulberry Merino. A blend of mulberry silk and extra fine merino, this latest addition to the Purl Soho yarn collection is especially beautiful with its rich color and gentle luster. And in mistake rib, Mulberry Merino is classic and elegant, dense and cozy.
All this talk brings to mind the old adage, “If you don’t make a mistake, you don’t make anything!” Isn’t that a nice reminder? Cast on, give it a try and remember that some mistakes are meant to be!
Update: New Yarn!
OCTOBER 2016
If your relationship with handcrafting is all about embracing imperfections, then the Mistake Rib may call your name. It certainly calls ours! We revisited this wonderfully textured scarf, this time with our Cashmere Merino Bloom! See the full range of colors and the additional photos here!
Materials
- 4 skeins of Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino, 80% extra fine merino and 20% mulberry silk. We used the color Black Green.
- A US 6 circular or straight needles
Gauge
38 stitches = approximately 4 inches, in pattern, unstretched
Size
Finished measurements: 7 inches x 70 inches (Note: Each skein yields approximately 20 inches of scarf, so for a 60-inch scarf, you’d only need 3 skeins.)
Note
Mistake Rib is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.
Pattern
Cast on 67 stitches.
Row 1: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, p2, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.
Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 70 inches from cast one edge, or until desired length.
Bind off in stitch pattern.
Weave in the ends and enjoy!
PRINT
Hi! I am wanting to start this project and noticed it said we needed 4 skeins of this. So we essentially need 1000 yards of fabric? That seems like a lot for this scarf. Am I calculating wrong? Thanks!
Hi Karley,
Thanks for writing us again. This is actually a typical yardage for a yarn this weight. With thinner weights you need even more yardage.
Best,
Adam
Thank you so much!! I am new to all of this 🙂
Hi Karely,
Great question! Scarves are deceptive! They seem small but they are, in fact, quite large and eat up a bunch of yarn. This scarf is 7 inches wide and 70 inches (almost 2 yards!). You will need somewhere are 3.5 skeins of the Mulberry Merino. Each skein works up into approximately 20 inches, so for a 60-inch scarf, you’d only need 3 skeins. Overall, with my back of the napkin math, the 70″ scarf will require 865 yards of Mulberry Merino. Your yardage may vary as differences in personal gauge can mean that you use more or less. I always like to give myself a 10% bumper to be sure that I have enough!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
This helped a ton thank you!
How would I make this with Woolfolk?
Thx!
Hi Karley,
Thanks for writing us! This scarf takes approximately 988 yards of the Mulberry Merino. Hope this helps!
Happy knitting!
-Adam
Does this mean that the gauge is 4? Sorry still learning! I just noticed on this yarn the suggested gauge was 5 to 6 but from what I’m reading on the pattern it’s 4?
Hi Karely,
Great question! The gauge for this project is 24 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette. This equals 6 stitched per inch. The gauge in pattern is 38 stitches = approximately 4 inches, rib unstretched or 9.5 stitches per inch. You will lay a ruler over your swatch and count the number of stitches over 4 inches of fabric and that will tell you whether or not you are getting gauge. If you do not get gauge, you may need to change your needle size to get the correct number of stitches per inch.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
The pattern goes: Row 1: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, p2, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.
The last 3 stitches should be: k2, p1?
What is the 3rd stitch made of?
Yours Ruth
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I see the confusion. Another way to write k2, p1 would be k1, k1, p1. This encapsulates the last 3 stitches of the row.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi Cassy,
now it’s totaly clear.
Thanks a lot.
Ruth
Good morning. I am looking for a scarf pattern for my husband. Is this one you recommend, or do you have other suggestions?
Hi Joanne,
I think that this would make a great scarf for your husband! Other popular options for men include:
Cobblestone Scarf
Double Seed Stitch Scarf
Men’s Mini Herringbone Scarf
I think that any of these options would make a great scarf for your husband!
Happy knitting,
Cassy
Hi, what other yarn can be used other than this one please? I am in UK, and love this site.
Many thanks
Hi Trudy,
Great question! Our Mulberry Merino comes in at a Sport/DK weight. This would be some where between a 5 and an 8 ply in UK yarn weights.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Does anyone have any ideas how to do this pattern as a hat? I’ve don’t it as a scarf and love the stretchiness of it, it’s so beautiful!
Hi Katrina,
Great question! This scarf is done in a Sport/Dk weight. My best suggestion is to find a ribbed hat in that weight and use the stitch pattern to modify the pattern you find. To accomplish mistake rib in the round, the rounds will be as follows:
Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: P1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.
Repeat round 1 and 2.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I think the confusion with the initial slip stitch comes because you say “slip as if to knit,” but do not specify whether to hold the yarn in the front or the back. Could you please be specific? I think this would help all patterns even though the rule is supposed to be in front unless otherwise specified.
Thank you,
Ann
Hi Ann,
Thanks for writing us! Sorry for the confusion on this! I would actually say that slipping knitwise with the yarn in back would be better for this because your last stitch on the previous row is a purl. Try both an let us know what you think!
Best of luck!
-Adam
Which cast-on method do you recommend for this scarf? Also, is there a particular one you would suggest when making a swatch
regardless of the pattern?
I am a beginning knitter and am very inspired by your site.
Sincerely,
Carmen
Hi Carmen,
Great question! Unless otherwise noted, we use the long tail cast-on. We think that it is very versatile and easy to accomplish a nice looking finished edge. On a swatch, I would suggest using the same cast-on that you plan on using on the project. This also gives you the opportunity to practice the cast-on before starting your project.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Have not tried the pattern yet but in looking at it, wondering if you have made it into an infinity scarf ? Would it work? I consider myself sort of an expert knitter and don’t see why it wouldn’t. Thanks!
Hi Reita,
Thanks for writing in to us! We actually do have a cowl pattern in this stitch called the Mistake Rib Cowl. It’s quite lovely!
-Adam
Can this be made with a larger needle and chunkier yarn? I have some lovely bulk Yarn that I think would look well in this pattern. I was thinking of using a size 11 needle. Love your patterns!
Hi Stephanie,
Great question! This lovely scarf can be knit in any weight yarn using the appropriate size needles for that yarn. The Mistake Rib is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. To determine your cast on number, 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 and you should be good to go!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi. I am currently working on the mistake rib scarf using the peacock blue. It is quiet lovely and a pleasure to knit. I wasn’t sure at first how it was really going to turn out. I restarted the scarf 3 times, thinking I had misread the pattern. I finally just kept at it. And as I said, Lovely! I would definitely knit this again in another color.
I am just about to finish the first ball of yarn & I was wondering what method was used to join a new ball to the existing? Any help you could provide would be appreciated.
Happy Holidays!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for writing in! I am so glad to hear that the pattern is coming along nicely! To join a new ball of wool, at the beginning of a new row, you will stop knitting with the yarn that you have been knitting with and begin knitting with the new yarn. Be sure to leave a tail on the new yarn of at least 8 inches and be sure to pull the tail of the old yarn on the first few stitches and you will be good to go. When you are finished knitting the scarf, you will weave those loose ends in.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I’d like to knit this scarf a little wider, about 9 inches across. Could you tell me how many stitches to cast on?
Many thanks
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for writing in! This lovely pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 stiches plus 3 stitches. For a scarf about 9 inches wide, you should cast on 83 stitches. You will also need an additional skein of yarn to achieve this lovely scarf!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Question: When finished..should this scarf be blocked or will it ruin the texture of the ribbing…and therefore should not be blocked?
Hello Lynne,
Thank you for your question! You can definitely block the Mistake Rib Scarf, we recommend the gentle hand blocking technique we discuss in our Blocking Tutorial. Please let us know if you have further questions. Again, thank you for writing in!
Best,
Kumeko
Question: I’d love to knit this scarf using US 8 size needles with the Worsted Twist yarn. I was just wondering how many skeins of Worsted Twist I would need in order to achieve the same size as shown here in the pattern? Thanks!
Hi Tarajee,
Thanks for writing in! I think that this scarf would be lovely in Worsted Twist! To make this scarf the same size as the Mulberry Merino version, you will need 3 skeins on US 8 needles. To get your cast on number, I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch in pattern and measuring the number of stitches per inch that you are getting. Then multiply that number by 7 inches. Mistake Rib is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. So make sure that the number that you are casting on works with this formula and you should be good to. For example, if you are getting 4.5 stitches per inch, 4.5 x 7 = 31.5 and 4 x 7 = 28 + 3 = 31, so your cast on will be 31 stitches!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I am ready to bind off. Confused on if I still slip the first stitch …. or knit it since it is a knit stitch? Thank you for your help.
Hi Jan,
Thanks for the question. You can knit this first stitch to bing off. No need to slip it! Best of luck!
-Adam
Hi there! I have some lovely worsted weight alpaca blend wool that I would love to use with this pattern. Do you have a suggestion for how I can modify the pattern so that the scarf won’t be waaaay too wide? And how much yardage might be required? I want to make sure I have enough.
Cheers,
Chanelle
Hi Chanelle,
Thanks for writing us! I’d do a small swatch to get your stitches per inch in the mistake rib stitch and then multiply that number by the width you desire. Usually a worsted weight scarf requires anywhere between 700-1000 yards of yarn, depending on the scarf pattern and how long/wide you want to make it. Let me know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
Would there need to be any changes to this pattern if I used flax down yarn instead?
Hi Kirsten,
Great question! Flax Down has a bit of a bulkier gauge than our Mulberry Merino. You will probably need to go up a needle size and you may need an additional skein. I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch and adjusting the cast on number accordingly. The pattern here is worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches. So once you have your gauge, you can multiply the number of stitches you are getting per inch by 7 inches wide and pick a number that is closest to that number while still working with the multiple of 4 + 3 stitches.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I know this is maybe too simple and I am making it more difficult than it is. But is driving me cray cray. I am working with bulky yarn and I have done 48 stitches plus 3. It just does not seem to be working right. The first step is slip one stitch purlwise, knit 1, purl two. Are you knitting into the first stitch that you slipped? Or are you slipping it and then knitting then next stitch. On the back and forth the ribs don’t line up.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I can help! The row reads “Slip 1 knitwise, k1, p2, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.” You will be slipping the first stitch and knitting into the second stitch of the row. The result will be that there will be lined up ribs with a texture between them. I would give the pattern a few rows to show up and if you are still having difficulties, please get back in touch!
Best,
Cassy
would this work well for a prayer shawl?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing us. I guess this would work well as a prayer shawl but I am no expert on prayer shawls. It seems, from my Google search, that prayer shawls are a bit wider and involve some lace work. Maybe you could widen this pattern and add some yo, k2tog details. Let us know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
I would like to work on this project! Can I ask about binding off??
What does ‘Binding off in stitch pattern’ mean??
Sorry, I am still learning how to knit by my self.
Hi Han,
Thanks for the question. To bind off you’ll use the normal passover bind off. When you bind off in pattern that means that you knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as you bind off. This ensures a nice clean edge. I hope this explains your question! Let me know if you need more help!
-Adam
I understand~ Thank you for your kind explaination. I’m still learning knitting and also english~ Thank you!
I am new at knitting. I have read that you should do your gauge in stockinette, but the pattern says-in pattern, unstretched.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for writing in! Gauge swatches can be worked in a large variety of ways. In the case of textured patterns such as this one, your gauge in stockinette and in pattern could vary quite a bit. Here we ask that you complete a gauge swatch in pattern as it will give you a better idea of how to alter your needle size to get gauge on this lovely project!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Yes it did. Thanks for clarifying that.
Can this be made with woolfolk? Would I need a different size needle? I believe woolfolk is 50gram.
Hi Carmen,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly use most gauge yarns with this pattern by just changing the needles. If you would like to use Woolfolk Far, you can use the same needles and cast on number with 7 skeins of Far. If you would like to use any of the other Woolfolk yarns, modifications will need to be made to cast on number and needles. We’d be happy to help you would with numbers if you would like to use an alternate yarn.
Best,
Cassy
Thanks for replying Cassy. I have woolfolk sno yarn. I have tried doing a swatch with size 7 needles but it seems pretty loose. I would appreciate any help you can give with respect to modifications.
Hi Carmen,
Thanks for writing back! Woolfolk Sno is quite a bit smaller than the yarn called for here. You will need to use a US 3 or US 4 needle to get a pleasing fabric. I think that you will need roughly 4.5 skeins of Sno to get a 7 x 70 scarf. You will then need to knit a gauge swatch in pattern, measure how many stitches you are getting per inch and multiply that number by 7 inches. This pattern works over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 3. You will cast on the nearest number that matches this formula. For example, if you are getting 6 stitches per inch, 6 x 7 = 42. The nearest number to this that matches 42 is 43, so you would cast on 43 stitches.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Excellent! Thank you so much for the advice and help.
Oops… I am using size 6 needles.
Hi, I have your worsted weight yarn 100%merino wool… 164 yards/ 100 grams. I have 3 skeins of it. Can I make this scarf with this a yarn and just use the 3 skeins?
Thank you
Carolyn
Hello Carolyn,
Thanks for writing us! With three skeins of our Worsted Twist you most likely will not get the same length as you would with Mulberry Merino. If you want to do it with three skeins I would go up to a 7 or 8 needle (because it is a thicker yarn) and cast on a little less. These two things will give you more length. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi love this pattern. Is this the only line you repeat over and over
Hello Andrea,
Thank you for your kind words! You are correct you will repeat this line over and over until your scarf is the desired length.
Happy Knitting!
-Marilla
Would I be able to knit this scarf in Shibui Maii?
Gauge is 24 sts=4″ on US 6
Thank you for your help and all your beautiful patterns
Hi Donna,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can! While I have not use Maii, it looks like it should knit up at a similar gauge to our Muleberry Merino. You will need 5 skeins of Maii to get an equal size scarf!
Best,
Cassy
would I be able to make this scarf in Shubi Maai. I only have 2 skeins at 175 yards each
Hi Donna,
I just saw this additional question! You would need 5 skeins to get a scarf of equal size. With 2 skeins, you would have to knit a scarf half as wide (3.5 inches) and a bit shorter. I would suggest getting a further 3 skeins!
Best,
Cassy
Thank you for this easy but beautiful pattern. I just finished the scarf! Do you recommend that I block it? If so, how would I do this? Thanks
Hi Dorothy,
I would recommend that you block it, blocking helps the yarn to maintain its shape and even out the fabric. What you want to do, is stretch the yarn horizontally, diagonally, vertically until the stitches look more evenly spaced. Lay your scarf on a towel flat, don’t stretch the stitches. You will then pin around the scarf making sure to keep its shape. Once that is done you will then spray the scarf with water and let it dry. After your scarf is dry unpin and it is ready to wear.
I hope this helps,
Melissa
Beautiful scarf! Want to knit for myself and my husband. The pattern looks unisex (hopefully that’s true). If I wanted to make it in chunky wool, how much would you recommend (and would you recommend using chunky wool or the pattern would not show off so well)? For myself, I would probably make it 80″ and for my (very picky) husband, 60″ or 70″ would be comfortable length for him but for him, it needs to be at least 10″ wide (he is a big man).
So to convert it to chunky wool,
1. how many skeins for each of us?
2. How many CO sts for 10″ width?
Thanks in advance,
~ Priya.
Hello Priya,
Thank you for reaching out! I would recommend knitting up a gauge swatch in pattern with your desired needle size to determine how many stitches per inch you are getting. Once you have this number you will be able to determine your cast on number to achieve 10″. I think this would be lovely in our Super Soft Merino and I would estimate that you will need about four skeins to get your desired dimensions.
I hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hello,
As I am a beginner in knitting. May I ask you to clarify the pattern ?
In order words the pattern can be written as follows.
Row 1:
sl1k, k1, p1, p1, * k1, k1, p1, p1, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1, k1, p1.
Thank you so much
Jenny
==============================
The original pattern is:
Row 1:
Slip 1 knitwise, k1, p2, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.
==============================
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for writing in! You got it all correct! When you have a k3 or p4, that will translate to knit 3 stitches (k1, k1, k1) or purl 4 stitches (p1, p1, p1, p1).
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello,
When I finish to knit one row, I would like to check if I knit correctly. I mean from Row 1 until the last Row of the project.
How can I verified that I did not do any mistakes ?
How many stitches I should have once I complete one row ?
Thank you,
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for writing in! Learning to read your knitting can be a bit of a challenge but I find that it is immeasurably helpful! It helps to look at your stitches on a stockinette swatch to get used the look of a knit versus a purl stitch! For this lovely pattern, you will always have the same number of stitches (67) at the end of each row as there are no increases or decreases. In textured patterns, it can be harder to catch your mistakes right away, you tend to see them a few rows on. While I am getting in the hang of a pattern, I will say the stitches out loud as I complete them as I find that it helps keep things tidy!
Best,
Cassy
Hello, sort of beginning knitter and trying the mistake rib scarf. Can you explain the purpose of first stitch being a slip 1 knitwise and not just a knit stitch? Trying to understand the purpose.
Thank you
Gail
Hi Gail,
Thanks for writing in! Great question! We slip the first stitch here to create a neat and tidy border! The slipped stitch creates a bit of an elongates stitch on the edge that makes the edge look flat and orderly!
Best,
Cassy
Hi! Thank you so much for a great website! I am new to this, and was wondering how it would work if I wanted to knit this with a circular needle. As I understand it from the description, it’s possible, but how would I do it?
Sorry for a perhaps very basic question, but I don’t want to mess anything up.
Hi Frida,
Thanks so much for writing in! When you are knitting flat on circular needles you need to make sure you don’t join the first stitch and last stitch together. When you cast on all your stitches just turn your work so that you are knitting the wrong side of the piece.
I hope this helps!
Carly
I would like to make this scarf into a cowl (the ribs going the long way) and would love your expert opinion. Can I start with a provisional cast on and once I knit to my length, I would use kitchner stitch to seam it together. I have made other wrap/crowls this way, but wasn’t sure how the seam would look.
Thanks in advance
Hello Julie,
Thank you for reaching out! I think this is a great idea- you will, of course, have a seam but I don’t think it will be to noticeable. I say go for it!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I am a leftie and I’m trying to knit the Mistake Rib Scarf on a circular needle. I am at the end of the first row. There are no more stitches left on my right needle. Where do I go from here. I love the pattern.
Hello Thelma,
Thank you for reaching out! To knit your second row you will need to turn your work so you can knit back across your scarf with your working yarn. This means your current right needle will become your left needle will become your right needle. I hope this makes sense and please let me know if I can clarify anything.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi! I’m planning on making this scarf using Mulberry Merino yarn, however I would like to make it a bit wider, maybe 10 or 12 inches. If I’m calculating right I think that would mean casting on 95 or 114 stitches. How many skeins of yarn would I need for a scarf of the same length (70 inches)? 4 or 5 maybe? Thank you!
Hello Olivia,
Thank you for reaching out! You are correct- I would cast on 95 or 115 stitches to achieve a wider scarf and I would recommend using 4 skeins. I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I found this pattern, for another PSH scarf, called the Easy Mistake Stitch Rib Scarf. It showed a men’s green scarf. It said to cast on 39 stitches. The pattern was identical to this one except, in the other pattern, it does not start the row with Slip 1. It just says K2…. Would it be better to do it with the first stitch being slipped? I’ve already started the other scarf, but have wondered about doing over again or just continuing. Thanks.
Hello Jeanine,
Thank you for reaching out- this is a great question! Though slipping your first stitch is optional, it will give you a nice clean edge on your scarf, so I would recommend slipping your first stitch!
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hoping you can help me correct my errors in this pattern correctly. Sometimes I get in a zone doing a row and knit instead of purl and vice versa. When I try to undo the error and reverse my actions, the loops get twisted. When I rework the row correctly, you can see the error very clearly because it’s a horizontal mistake in a vertical pattern. I’m obviously doing something wrong.
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for reaching out! It does sound like you are twisting your stitches when you place them back on the needle after taking out the incorrect row. If you google “tinking ribbing,” you should be able to find several videos demonstrating how to correctly tink, or un-knit, your stitches so that they do not end up twisted. However, if some stitches should end up twisted anyway, before knitting them, you can simply use your needle tips to turn them around so that your next row turns out correctly.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Do reckon this pattern would suit well if made with a thicker yarn to make it slightly more chunky? What would the conversions be like to get a similar length and width?
Hello Esther,
Thank you for reaching out! You can certainly knit this pattern with a thicker yarn. The first thing you will need to do, to figure out your cast on will be to knit u a little gauge swatch. Depending on your yarn and needle size, you will just multiply the number of stitches per inch you are getting by your desired width. You will just want to be sure that your cast on number is an odd number to folow this pattern.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla