Reversible Rivulet Scarf
Until recently, I thought reversible cables were like the Loch Ness monster: mythical, much-talked-about, but probably non-existent. After making many cabled scarves and always failing to feel satisfied with both sides, I went in quest of this mythical beast.
It turns out that, unlike the Loch Ness monster, reversible cables really do exist! Surprisingly, a ribbed stitch pattern, rather than plain stockinette, is all it takes to bring cables into the three-dimensional world.
Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, with its depth of color and clear stitch definition, casts my Reversible Rivulet Scarf in a glowing light. Each beautifully defined cable looks like a spiraling, rippling river, minus the monster! -Gina
Update: New Color
January 2018
The same gorgeous show of texture, pattern, and dimension, this time around we went with a softer tone in our Reversible Rivulet Scarf in Trout Brown, one of our very favorite Alpaca Pure colors!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gina Rockenwagner. Click here to see even more of Gina’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoReversibleRivuletScarf. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 4 (6, 7) skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% super baby alpaca. Each skein is 109 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 436 (654, 763) yards required. We used the color Yellow Zest. (Please note, Alpaca Pure is no longer available. We recommend using a similar worsted weight yarn! As always, be sure to check your gauge when substituting yarns.)
- US 9 (5.5 mm) straight or circular needles, any length
- A cable stitch holder
Gauge
20 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Size
Approximately 6 (8, 10) inches wide and 70 inches long
Notes
This stitch pattern requires that you knit or purl every stitch through the back loop. Please see the Abbreviations and Tips section, below, for instructions on how to do that.
I used a tubular cast on and bind off for this scarf. Visit our Long Tail Tubular Cast On Tutorial and our Tubular Bind Off Tutorial for all the how-tos. These techniques create stretchier, more forgiving edges than a regular long cast on and bind off, but feel free to use those more common methods if you prefer. Your scarf will be just as beautiful!
Abbreviations + Tips
How to Knit Through the Back Loop (k1 tbl)
To knit through the back loop insert the right needle into the back leg of the next stitch in a regular away-from-you knitting motion, as shown above. Wrap and pull the yarn as you normally would to knit.
How to Purl Through the Back Loop (p1 tbl)
To purl through the back loop insert the right needle into the back leg of the next stitch in a regular toward-you purling motion, as shown above. Wrap and pull the yarn as you normally would to purl.
How To Make a Reversible Cable Cross (rcc)
Slip 4 stitches purlwise to cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, [p1 tbl, k1 tbl] twice from left needle, [p1 tbl, k1 tbl] twice from cable stitch holder.
Here’s how to do that…
Slip 4 stitches purlwise to a cable stitch holder: Insert the cable stitch holder into the next stitch on the left needle as if you were purling it and slide the stitch onto the cable stitch holder. Repeat three more times.
Keep the cable stitch holder at the front of the work: Allow the cables stitch holder to hang on the side of the work that is facing you.
[p1 tbl, k1 tbl] twice from the left needle: Use the right needle to work the next four stitches from the left needle.
Now, slide the slipped stitches to the other end of the cable stitch holder. Do not spin the cable stitch holder or try to knit the stitches from the same end that you used to slip the stitches.
[p1 tbl, k1 tbl] twice from the cable stitch holder: Use the right needle to work the four stitches from the cable stitch holder.
Pattern
Cast On
Using a Long Tail Tubular Cast On or a regular Long Tail Cast On, cast on 40 (56, 72) stitches.
If you use a Long Tail Tubular Cast On
There are a few of changes to make to our Long Tail Tubular Cast On Tutorial in order to suit this pattern:
After you make the slipknot, the next stitch you cast on should be a knit stitch (in the tutorial, it’s a purl stitch). Next, cast on a purl stitch, then a knit, and continue, alternating knits and purls as explained in the tutorial. End with knit stitch.
The Foundation Rows will then be as follows…
Foundation Row 1: *Slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), k1, repeat from * to end of row.
Foundation Row 2: *Slip 1 wyif, k1 through the back loop, repeat from * to end of row.
Continue on to the Work Ribbing section, below.
If you use a Long Tail Cast On
Continue on to the Work Ribbing section.
Work Ribbing
Ribbing Row: *P1 tbl, k1 tbl, repeat from * to end of row. (See Abbreviations + Tips, above.)
Repeat the Ribbing Row until piece measures 4 inches from cast on edge.
Begin Cable Pattern
Cable Row 1: [Rcc (see Abbreviations + Tips, above), (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] 2 (3, 4) times, rcc.
Rows 2 – 8: Repeat the Ribbing Row.
Cable Row 2: [P1 tbl, k1 tbl] 4 times, [rcc, (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) 4 times] 2 (3, 4) times.
Rows 10 – 16: Repeat the Ribbing Row.
Repeat these 16 rows until scarf measures 66 inches from cast on edge, ending with a Cable Row.
Finish
Repeat the Ribbing Row until work measures 70 inches from cast on edge.
If you used a tubular cast on, bind off using a tubular bind off.
If you used a long tail cast on, bind off in p1, k1 pattern.
Weave in the ends. Block gently and enjoy your Reversible Rivulet Scarf!
Do you think this would work as a colourblocked scarf with the Alpaca Pure, or should I stick to just one colour? There are some lovely blues and greys on sale right now, and I’m trying to decide if using more than one colour would take away from the cables or not. Advice would be appreciated!
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for writing in! At the end of the day this is going to be a project that you’ll be working on for a little bit, so I always suggest to go with how you feel. However, I have always been a proponent of cables in a single color. Cables have a lot of personality and texture, so I like to let them stand out as the stars of the work. That being said, I would personally do this in a single color. Since you are looking at the sale yarn, why not make two!
Best of luck and happy knitting,
Adam
Hi! I have a question about the care for Alpaca Pure. I made this scarf and a hat for my boyfriend’s birthday using Alpaca Pure, and I’m wondering if I should wash them before gifting to him (I washed my hands before working on them, but still think my hands got pretty sweaty once in a while..). I checked the recommended care for this yarn on Purl Soho’s website, and it said hand wash and lay flat to dry. Is it possible to take it to dry cleaning? I’ve never washed alpaca and/or hand knitted items at home before, and given how long it took for me to finish this scarf, I really don’t want anything to happen to it… so thought dry cleaning might be safer. It’d be great if you could advise! Thank you.
Hi Izumi,
Thanks for writing in! You can absolutely hand wash or dry clean your item. I would recommend hand washing as you can be very gentle and diligent with your lovely piece. To hand wash your finished piece, fill a basin with tepid water and put in a small amount of Soak or other wool wash. Submerge your item completely and leave for 15 minutes. Return and gently squeeze (do not wring) out most of the water. Then gently lay the item flat on a dry towel until totally dry. This will ensure that your item is clean and gently handled!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thank you so much Cassy! I’ll buy Soak and try washing the scarf and the hat as gentle as possible!
As Cassy has said, you should ALWAYS wash your knitted items to call it finished. Most especially if you are gifting it. That will make it look totally professionally finished!
I do it the same way Cassy says…. fill a sink with hot tap water, add liquid detergent, and lay the scarf in the water, and WALK AWAY!! never touch for at least 15-30 minutes, or until the water cools enough to handle it. Then squeeze, and dry as normal. The trick is not to touch it at all while it is being soaked!!
This allows the stitches to even themselves out, and adjust to their new position, and look so very even! It is a remarkable change. Do the same whenever it needs to be cleaned — offer to do it yourself — the soaking will remove any soil from the scarf.
I have some Cashmere Bloom I would like to use. Do you think it would work well with this pattern? Is yes, what size needles and how many to cast on? Thanks!
This will be my 3rd Cashmere Bloom scarf – totally love working with the yarn and wearing a finished project.
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for writing in! We are so glad that you are loving our Cashmere Merino Bloom. You can certainly use it here. I would suggest going down to a US 7 or 8 needle. I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch and seeing which fabric you like better and then going with that needle. The scarf will be slightly more narrow but certainly generous enough to be lovely! Just note that depending on the size you go with, you may need slightly less yarn. You will need 3, 4 or 5 skeins!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I would like to try to make this scarf. In your pattern you mentioned 2(3,4). What does this mean? And your ribbing row, RS & WS are the same way doing it?
Thanks & Regards,
Valerie T
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I can help with your questions! For the ribbing section you will repeat the one row until you reach the desired length. For the 2 (3, 4), I am guessing that you are referring to the Begin Cable Pattern section. Here this refers to the number of times that you will complete the repeat based on whether you are knitting the 6, 8 or 10 inch wide version of this scarf.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi, I always add 2 stitches to slip first stitch purlwise knit the last and have a pretty edge. Would/can I do this here too? Thank you
Hi Maria,
Thanks for writing us! I don’t see why you couldn’t add two stitches for the selvedge! Best of luck!
-Adam
The normal edges of my twisted rib are unsightly; every other edge stitch is baggy. I’d rather not slip the 1st stitch for this rib pattern as suggested because it creates an edge stitch that is twice as long. How did the knitter in the photo above get such tidy edges?
Hi Lisa,
I’m sorry to hear you are having trouble with your edge stitches! This is a very common problem for many knitters – no one has absolutely perfect tension, and tension irregularities tend to be more noticeable at the edges, especially if either your purls or knits are looser than the other stitch, which sounds like it may be the case. I would try paying extra attention to the first three stitches of each row, giving a little tug on the yarn after each stitch to snug it up, especially when bringing your yarn forward to purl after a knit, for a few inches to see if that solves the problem.
Best of luck! I hope that helps!
Julianna
I saw that you said this pattern could be knit in the round. Does that change how you would knit what is considered the wrong side rows?
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for writing in! The only reference to knitting this in the round that I could find was Gina suggesting not to knit it in the round. If you would like to make this into an infinity scarf or cowl, you would cast on, either provisionally or with a regular cast on, then work the ribbing row for 7 rows. Follow the pattern until the scarf measures about 1 inch shorter than you want it. Work the ribbing row for 7 more rows, then bind off and sew, or graft the two ends together.
I hope that this helps and please let me know if you have any further questions!
Cassy
I am making a hat using this pattern knitting in the round and it is working out just fine. Cast on a multiple of 16 stitches. You would work RCC in rows 1, 9, 17 and so on (which are your right side rows) and work ribbing (p1 tbl, k1 tbl) in all other rows. Make sure to start your round with a purl stitch.
Hello Anya,
Thank you for sharing your insights- I’m happy to hear your experiment was a success!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hi,
The pattern is so beautiful!
I have a question concerning the size of the needles for this project.
You’ve used Alpaca Pure for this project with US 9 needles. However, the suggested knitting needle for this yarn is US 7-8 size. So when picking up a yarn, the idea is to use a bigger needle size than suggested?
Thank a lot,
Hello Amandine,
Thank you for reaching out- you are correct! The needle sizing is really about gauge rather than suggested needle size. So as long as you are getting 5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch you are good to go.
I hope this clears things up. Happy knitting!
-Marilla
oh, goodness, ignore my question….. I somehow overlooked RCC at the very end of the cable row. I am so sorry to bother you!
Hi Karen,
We’re glad you figured it out! Please feel free to reach out with any further questions!
Kindly,
Anna
I would really like for this pattern to be offered as a .pdf file that I could print/save as a single page. Having all of the extended instructions and photographs is very helpful for novice knitters, but are unnecessary for more experienced knitters.
Hi Kitty,
Thanks for writing in! All of our patterns can be downloaded as PDFs!
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 that this helps!
Cassy
Is there a pdf file so I can sace it to work on later? Thanks.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can download this pattern as a PDf!
f 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%.
Best,
Cassy
Can you advise what size needles to use if I wanted to make this using fingering yarn? Love the pattern – thank you so much!
cheers
Heather
Hi Heather,
Thanks for writing in! For fingering weight, I would suggest trying a US 3 or 4. The size of needle will really depend on your personal gauge. I would knit about 10 rows with each needle and see how you like the fabric that it creates and base your decision on which you like best!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Is there a video tutorial on this beautiful pattern? I am a visual learner and I am having a hard time following the instructions. Thanks so much!
Hi Allison,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! While we do not have a video for this pattern, we do have a video for the cast on and a photo tutorial for the bind off for this lovely scarf. We will certainly keep your request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
What other types of yarn can be used in place of the alpaca?
Many thanks,
Peggy
Hi Peggy,
Thank you for writing in! For this lovely scarf, you can use any Worsted or Aran weight yarn! Our Worsted Twist would be a great option! I would recommend doing a gauge swatch with the Worsted Twist as you may want to try one or two needle sizes smaller to achieve a pleasing gauge for the stitch pattern!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I am just starting the cable pattern. I’m using the 40 stitch size for the scarf and find that I have 8 stitches left over at the end of the cable row 1. Am I missing something? What am I supposed to do with the 8 stitches? Thanks!
Sorry, missed the RCC at the end of row 1! It all makes sense now. Thanks.
I learned to knit when I was very little from my German Mom, so I use the continental method. Although I have watched videos, I have always had a problem with the twisted rib pattern that I chalked up to the right handed hold. I have frogged several lovely projects that contained too much of the twisted rib because it is so painfully slow for me. Because this pattern is so basic, I was able to experiment a bit and had a major breakthrough that I wanted to share in case anyone else has experienced the same problems.
First, I realized that I was wrapping the P1TBL the wrong way, so corrected that (just a heads up in case it isn’t clear to others). At any rate, I restarted on a pair of clear plastic needles because they were short and I thought would be easier to handle. After a few inches I realized that the fact that they were clear was making it difficult to figure out exactly what I was grabbing in the back- just visually throwing me off. Switched to metal needles and was ready to give up after a few more rows because everything was slipping and it was a super tedious two-handed process that required picking up lots of dropped stitches. My aha moment was when I realized that the problem was the needles. I changed to bamboo and the grippy-ness made all the difference. I’m about 10 inches in now and it’s miraculous. I’m ready to re-visit some frogged projects with bamboo needles now!
Hi Paula,
Thanks for writing in and sharing your experience! I am sure that it will be helpful for others giving this lovely scarf a try!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Paula, Yes; I had the very same problem; and once I switched to bamboo needles it worked so much better.
Thanks for that suggestion! M.
I love the pattern and would like to make a stole. What’s the base number of stitches to multiply?
Hi Julia,
Thanks for reaching out and for the kind words! This pattern will work over any multiple of 8 stitches.
I hope that helps and best of luck!
Julianna
Could the Reversible Rivulet pattern be made in a cowl? How would that be done? I was thinking of Alpaca Pure in Artemisia or Lavender Opal, to wear with neutral solid color sweaters or raincoat. This is my first cowl and first knitting in a long time, so is this pattern perhaps too ambitious?
I also wondered for what kind of pattern is Tosh Merino Modern Fair Isle intended? It’s out of stock currently, but I love the bright colors speckled sparsely on an heirloom white background. It might make a lovely cowl. I like Tosh Night Bloom as well. The effect of a single strand must be different from twisted yarsn.
Hello Judy,
Thank you for reaching out- all of your yarn ideas sound beautiful! Unfortunately, this pattern does not work well in the round I would suggest knitting your cowl flat and then seaming up the ends to create your cow.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi!??♀️
I am really having trouble understanding the first cable row! When I slip purlwise the first 4 stitches, my working yarn is with the slipped stitches on the cable holder. How do I proceed w p1 tbl, k1 tbl? I feel like I’m really missing something obvious! Help! I await your response so I can get past the ribbing!!
Thanks in advance!??♀️
Brenda
Hello Brenda,
Thank you for reaching out! As you let your 4 slipped stitches hang in front of your work you will want to bring your working yarn behind the stitches on your cable needle and simply start knitting your stitches still on your needle. As you do this your stitches on your cable needle will fall to the side of your work.
I hope this clears things up for you and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Thanks. I’ve cabled before but somehow w the combination of ktbl/ptbl, I wasn’t able to jump into the first cable row! It was totally foreign to me!
Thanks for your help!
Brenda
this pattern would greatly benefit from adding a chart and not just written instructions…
Hi Gurianthe,
Thanks so much for your feedback! Unfortunately we don’t have the resources at the moment to create a chart for this pattern. We will keep your request in mind though for the future!
Best,
Julianna
I would like to make the elementary wrap on your site but with the pattern of the rivulet scarf. The cast on for the elementary wrap is 90 stitches and I read on the comments that someone wanted to make a stole, so the cast on is a multiple of 8…? Would I then cast on 88 or 96 stitches then to incorporate these two patterns together? Just wanted to make sure. Thank you, love the patterns on this site.
Lunabelle
Hello Lunabelle,
Thank you for reaching out- what a great idea! For this pattern you will need a cast on of 16 stitches so 96 stitches should work beautifully.
let us know hoe it goes and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I fell in love with this yarn, I’m so sad it’s discontinued, which yarn would match this color as closely as possible? Please help!
Hi Raven,
Thanks for writing in! Yellow Zest was quite a unique color that is hard to match! The closest colors I can think of would be Manos del Uruguay Maxima in Highlighter or Blue Sky Worsted Cotton in Lemongrass.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’m sorry to ask a silly question but I was wondering if you could clarify whether the Foundation Row 1 is intended to be regular knit or knit through the back stitch? I’m trying to follow along with the cast-on and I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a change from the tutorial or not? Thank you!
Hello Kim,
This is a great question! If you are using the long tail tubular cast on you will knit normally in foundation row 1 and through the back loop in row 2.
I hope this clears things up and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello,
I have tried 8 times to knit this scarf but I can’t manage the RCC rows.
If I understand correctly, the RCC consists of 3 steps:
1. Moving 4 stitches to a cable needle,
2. K,P the next 4 stitches
3. K,P the 4 stitches from the cable needle
Then, you have to (K1,P1 ) 4 times (which means that you need to knit 8 stitches in total. Then repeat the RCC and (K1,P1) 4 times.
Do you have a video tutorial or a graphic pattern I can look at?
I like this scarf.
Thank you,
Bryan
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we do not have a chart for this pattern, but it sounds like you’ve got it – the steps you describe should turn out correctly. Can you describe what exactly is going wrong so I can try to help troubleshoot this for you?
Best,
Julianna
Could this scarf be knitted as a turtleneck scarf? Could I knit the tails at the same time to ensure the same length, then work the turtleneck ribbing as the same as called for in the pattern? If so, I would appreciate any assistance.
Hello Joanna,
Thank you for reaching out! I am not familiar with a turtleneck scarf. Is it a turtle neck style cowl with two tails coming out of it to wrap around your neck like a scarf? If so I would you knit your tails and then join them to knit the neck in the round? Apologies for not being more helpful, let me know if I can further assist you!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Do you have the instructions written out in one whole place? I love that you show how each of the stitches are done, because I am super super new to knitting and have only done vanilla knits like garter and seed stitches. I’m used to reading those long listing diagrams, so I was wondering if you have one I could look at thank you so much for all your help sorry if this has been asked before!
Hi Brianna,
Thanks so much for the kind words and for reaching out! At present we do not have a chart for this pattern, but I will be sure to pass your request along to the design team. Some knitters prefer charts, and others written instructions, but it can be helpful to learn how to follow both! If you run into any problems, we will be happy to help clarify the pattern for you!
Best,
Julianna
Thank you so much! I guess I’m a little confused on the part where you slip four stitches then begin to P1 tbl, K1 tbl by 4 times. I guess I’m confused on how to slip off the stitches and just in general that step, because When I slipped off the stitches I wasn’t sure how to get my working yarn around the cable stitch holders or if I was even using them right. Thanks so much!
Hi Brianna,
I see what you mean! I think you might find our Cable tutorial helpful – although you will be working twisted ribbing instead of stockinette, the technique for using the cable needle is still the same. You can find all of our tutorials by clicking here!
Best,
Julianna
Hi, so can someone make a video or put all the details in one place with step by step pictures. I can’t figure this one out and am dying to make it. I have even shown it to a few more experienced knitters and no one can make sense of this.
Thanks
Hi Tahnee,
Thanks for writing! Unfortunately we don’t have the resources at the moment to do a video or picture tutorial of this pattern. I will, however, certainly pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
Hi, can I just check what size/number of stitches is shown in the examples above?
I started with 40 st but now find it a bit too narrow and would like to get 4 repeats of the cable pattern across (like in the photos). Would that be 48 (adding 1 more rcc repeat) or 56 st? I can’t seem to figure it out!!
Thank you 🙂
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for reaching out! Our sample is the largest size in the pattern, which starts with 72 stitches. This pattern can be knit with any multiple of 16 stitches, so you could certainly knit the next size up which starts with 56 stitches!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
For the long tail tubular cast off for this revelry scarf Is it switched because the pattern starts with purl not knit? Please advise.
Hi Ann Marie,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct! After you make the slipknot, the next stitch you cast on should be a knit stitch (in the tutorial, it’s a purl stitch). Next, cast on a purl stitch, then a knit, and continue, alternating knits and purls as explained in the tutorial, and ending with a knit stitch. This will ensure that your first row lines up with the knits and purls of the cast on!
Best,
Julianna
Hi,
I would really love to use the Season Alpaca yarn with a US 5 needle to make this pattern. Could you tell me how this pattern should be altered such as how many stitches per row and how many balls of yarn I would need? Thanks.
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for reaching out! This pattern should be lovely in Season Alpaca! To adjust the gauge of the pattern, you will need to knit a gauge swatch in 1×1 twisted rib using Season Alpaca on a US 5 needle. You can then multiply your stitches per inch by 6, 8, or 10 inches depending on which size of the scarf you plan to knit and round to the nearest multiple of 8 to determine how many stitches to cast on. It’s a little trickier to estimate how much yarn you will need when modifying the pattern for a different gauge, but I think 3 (4, 5) skeins would be a safe guess!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi all! While the twisted rib looks gorgeous, it’s much slower for me to work in — is it possible to knit this pattern with a regular rib (knitting/purling as normal through the front loop instead of of back loop), or will that lead to complications down the line? Thanks!
Hi Nina,
Thanks for writing in. You can absolutely use regular 1 x 1 ribbing for this pattern, instead of twisted rib!
All the best,
Lili
How do you do the tubular cast off for the twisted rib in this pattern since the first stitch is a purl?
Hi Maryanne,
That’s a great question! The trick is to pretend that the first purl stitch is one with your second stitch, the knit stitch. You can follow the instructions in our tutorial, but treat the first 2 stitches as just 1 knit stitch. Alternatively, you can work 1 decrease row and decrease away the purl stitch, leaving you with a knit stitch at the first edge instead.
All the best,
Lili