Broken Garter Scarf
Garter stitch is a beginner’s best friend, and even for the most seasoned knitters, it holds an important place in our repertoire of stitch patterns. Cecelia Campochiaro reminds me of this in her beautifully designed book, Sequence Knitting.
Sequence Knitting brings to life the modular and algorithmic nature of repeating simple combinations of knits and purls. We’ve put these methods to the test with this Broken Garter Scarf, which is just one line of a repeating pattern. In Purl Soho’s elegant Mulberry Merino, the result is a texture as soothing to behold, as it is to create!
It isn’t often that such a groundbreaking reference book comes along, and Sequence Knitting has secured a prime spot on my bookshelf. If you’re interested in the story behind this book, I highly recommend Cecelia’s interview for Woolful. And to put the concepts into practice, start with our Broken Garter Scarf! -Laura
Update: New Color
March 9, 2017
The soothing hypnotism of our Broken Garter Scarf pairs perfectly with our lustrous Mulberry Merino. And in our new heather-ed Wheat Flour color, the result is subtle and totally classic. Click here for more information and additional photos!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoBrokenGarterScarf. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Mulberry Merino, 80% extra fine merino wool and 20% mulberry silk. Each skein is 247 yards; approximately 554 yards required. We used Ballet Pink and Dark Loam. (NOTE: We no longer offer Mulberry Merino, but choose from one of our other sport weight yarns.)
- US 5 (3.75 mm), straight or circular needles
Gauge
22 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
Finished Dimensions: 9 inches wide x 78 inches long
Note
This pattern is worked over a multiple of 6 + 1 stitches. For example 6 x 8 = 48 and 48 +1 = 49.
Pattern
Cast on 49 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise, * k2, p1, k3, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures desired length or until you have just enough yarn to bind off.
Bind off knitwise.
Weave in the ends and block as desired.
I am just wondering if what this pattern is telling me is:
Slipwise, k2 purl 1, *k5 p1, * repeat from asterics
& then at the beginning of the next row slipwise 1 k2 purl 1 then go back to 5 k to 1 purl?
Thanks!
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, that would be another way to write out the pattern – it sounds like you’ve got it!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
On the second row what does knitwise 1 mean supposed to first row where it says only Knitwise? I’m using the comment from your customer defining her interperation of your instructions. And is this for circular needles?
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for reaching out! This scarf is knit flat and can be knit using either straight needles or circular needles. When we say to slip one knitwise we are referring to how your needle is entering your stitch. In other words you are slipping your stitch as if knit or as if to purl. Typically if a pattern just says to slip your stitch, without any other directions, you slip your stitch purlwise because slipping purlwise does not twist your stitch, while slipping your stitch knitwise does.
I hope this all makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
Best,
Marilla
Hello, I’m new to knitting and after some practicing feel I’m ready to take on a project. I love the look of this scarf but would like it a bit wider; I’m thinking 12″ wide. How to I change the pattern to accommodate a wider scarf?
thanks!
Hi Karen,
Great question! If you are working at our gauge of 22 stitches per 4 inches, you will need to cast on 67 stitches for a 12 inch wide scarf. I would also recommend getting two extra skeins of yarn to make sure you don’t run out!
Best,
Julianna
Why do I have 4stitches left at the end of row 2? I have put on 49 stitches. I’m following the pattern exactly but I’m having stitches left over at the end. Thanks
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for reaching out! The repeat in the this scarf is “* k2, p1, k3, repeat from *” which is a total of 6 stitches. You are slipping your first stitch and then repeating these 6 stitches 8 times. (48 + 1 =49)
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I am looking for mulberry merino (ballet pink) on your website. Do you have this yarn? I’d like to use it to do the broken garter scarf
Hi Patrice,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately Ballet Pink has been discontinued – I’m so sorry about that! You can view our current available colors of Mulberry Merino by clicking right here.
Best,
Julianna
I just need to clarify if I have your pattern correct. Line 1, k Line 2. S1KW k2 p1 “k5 P1” Repeat to end then do you go back to Line 1 k ? The pattern is beautiful and I can’t wait to get started. thank you.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks so much for the kind words and for reaching out! You’ve almost got it – your interpretation of Row 2 is correct, but you will only be working Row 1 once at the beginning of the scarf. For the rest of the scarf, you will simply repeat Row 2 on both sides of the work!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Good morning! This is a lovely pattern! I would like to knit this in Madeline Tosh DK, and have 3 skeins at 225 yards each. I knit a test swatch, and am getting 5 stitches/inch on 7 needle size. Would I be able to get 60 inches in length if I cast on 55 stitches for 11 inches in width? Or do I need to go narrower? I would like to bind off at 60. Thank you for your help.
Hi Irene,
Thanks for reaching out! You should have plenty of yarn to knit a wider scarf than ours! We used about 500 yards for our scarf at a tighter gauge and knit a much longer scarf than you are planning, so with 675 yards, you have plenty of room to experiment with the width!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thanks for a lovely simple pattern. I bought some yarn in a Lionbrand sale in November and its knitting up just fine in this broken garter pattern. So easy . Its Scarfie in the eggplant/taupe colourway, US 9(5.5mm) needles, 49 stitches. Love it. Thanks again.
I’m a beginner knitter. Am I correct that the first stitch is always a slip stitch for row 2. I usually see a knit stitch to make a border.
Hi Jane,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you will be slipping the first stitch of every row to create a tidy, somewhat decorative edging. Both options create perfectly lovely selvages, so you will probably see many patterns using either edging as you progress into knitting more projects!
Best,
Julianna
I’m trying to order 3 skeins of Purl SoHo’s Dark Loam Solid.
By mistake I put 10 skeins in the basket and I don’t know how to change the number from 10 to 3.
Thank you
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for reaching out! Not to worry, this is easily fixed! On both a desktop and mobile, click the Shopping Basket at the top right of the webpage, followed by the blue bar marked Checkout. Once at your Checkout page you can change the number of skeins you’d like to order by selecting the number in the field under Qty.
I hope this helps!
Gaby
I’m new to knitting and recently learned wool and I don’t get along. It was an uncomfortable thing to learn!
Would this pattern work with your “Cotton Pure” line as well?
Hi Miriam!
The Broken Garter Scarf is a very versatile pattern, and would look great worked up in many different yarns! The fabric will be different if you substitute Cotton Pure for Mulberry Merino, but it would be a great alternative for someone who is intolerant to wool. I’d suggest making a swatch to choose your needle size – the recommended needle size for Cotton Pure is US 4-6, while the Mulberry Merino version calls for a US 5.
Thanks so much for your question – happy knitting!
Cassandra
I think broken garter stitch would be pretty in baby blanket 30” wide. I want to know how many stitches would I have to cast on.
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for writing in, and what a sweet idea for a baby blanket! If you are working at the same gauge we used for the scarf, which is 22 stitches to 4 inches in garter stitch, you will need to cast on 163 stitches.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Looks lovely ! Does this pattern curl?
Hi Cara,
Thanks for writing in! No due to the nature of the garter stitch you don’t have to worry about curling with this pattern!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello,
Do I Slip 1 knitwise in the first row as it is done in the second row.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise, * k2, p1, k3, repeat from * to end of row.
Christine
Hi Christine,
Thanks for reaching out! No, you don’t slip any stitches in the first row you are only knitting!
All the best,
Gianna
Hi, I really love this Broken Garter stitch but have doubts on the following:
1) The design is worked based on mulitple 6 + 1, does this mean I must cast an additional 1 stitch after every 6 stitch?
2) 1st row is full knit stitch?
3) After I finish the 2nd row, do I need to repeat Slip 1 knitwise then continue with k2, p1, k3? Or just continue with k2, p1, k3 without slip 1?
Deeply appreciate your kind help
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes so 1, a multiple of 6 plus an additional 1 stitch. For example 6 x 8 = 48 and 48 +1 = 49! 2, row 1 you knit across the whole row. 3, you repeat the 2nd row (including the slip stitch at the beginning of each round) until you reach your desired length (Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise, * k2, p1, k3, repeat from * to end of row)
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you, Gianna…. Simnply love your designs!!! I will be purchasing your uarns very soon too, all the colours are soooo nice!!!
Hi, if I am using circular needles to knit this design for a scarf, after finishing the 2nd row of Slip 1 k2 p1 k3, I will have to turn back my work, what stitches should I do for 3rd row and onwards? Thank you.
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for reaching out! You then continue to repeat row 2 until the piece measures your desired length!
All the best,
Gianna
Hi Gianna,
Thank you sooooo much for your kind advice…. But I’m really confused over this: If I finished 2nd row and turn back my work to continue for 3rd row (using circular needles) the knit stitich on 2nd row will be Purls stitch on the back, do I continue with Slip 1 k2 p1 k3? I saw in one of the post, it say if using circular needles, the stitch for all odd row (3, 5, 7, 9….) should be P2 K1 P3. Need your kind help to advice. Thank you.
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for writing in again! I am happy to help! We worked this pattern as written on circular needles! When you finish your row and flip your work as usual you continue to follow the pattern for row 2. Slip the first stitch and then repeat k2, p1, k3, to the end of the row, and continue this until you achieve your finished length! This is how you achieve the broken garter effect! If you were to do P2 K1 P3 on the revers it would create a rib stitch instead of the desired garter stitch.
I hope this clarifies things!
Gianna
Thank you soooo much, Gianna…. You are an angel !!! Let me show you my work once complete 🙂
Hi Elaine,
I am so glad I could help and would love to see your finished work!
Warmly,
Gianna
I like this design for a scarf and I want to make a fence of 8cm . How can I divide the width in 2 equal parts if I make 49 stitches ?
Thank you for your advice.
Hi KS,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, since this pattern is worked over a multiple of 6 + 1 stitches (6 x 8 = 48 and 48 + 1 = 49 for example) there isn’t an exact way to divide it equally in half since one way or another there will be a side that has once extra stitch!
I hope this clarifies things for you, happy knitting!
Gianna
I would like to use worsted weight wool and size 6 US knitting needles. how many stitches should I cast on to obtain the same width? Do you recommend using worsted weight wool? Thank you
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could certainly use a worsted weight with this pattern! I would recommend starting off by working a swatch, you can then calculate your cast on amount from there based off of how many stitches per inch you have! Just be sure to keep in mind that this pattern is worked over a multiple of 6 + 1 stitches. For example 6 x 8 = 48 and 48 +1 = 49.
I would also recommend checking out our tutorial All About Gauge, it is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I have just finished this scarf. Do you recommend blocking? If so, which method for this yarn/project? Thanks, I love this pattern!
Janice
Hi Janice,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest gently wet blocking the finished scarfs! For more tips please visit our Blocking tutorial!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
It looks like you no longer carry Mulberry Merino yarn. What can I order that’s the closest to it? Looking forward to starting this project—thanks!
Hi Sue,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, unfortunately, Mulberry Merino has been discontinued but in its place, I would suggest using Season Alpaca! It is a sport weight yarn like Mulberry Merino so the gauge should be similar. However, the texture is a bit different. If you would like a texture more similar to Mulberry Merino then I would suggest using Cashmere Merino Bloom or Understory! They are a bit heavier weight yarns (light worsted/dk weight) so in that case, I would suggest starting off by working a gauge swatch to see how it compares to the pattern, and then you can adjust the needle size from there if needed!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions!
Gianna
Una pregunta que quiere decir K2. P1. K3… No entiendo son puntos del derecho y revez?… Gracias de antemano..
Hi Yudy,
Thanks for reaching out! For row 2 you will start off by slipping 1, then you will begin the stitch repeat where you will knit 2, then purl 1, then knit 3. You will then repeat this k2, p1, k3 until you reach the end of the row!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Hi, love your designs. Can this scarf be made in “Good Wool “ yarn and how many skeins for a 9”x 78” scarf ? Thanks a lot.
Hi Ranjana,
Thanks for reaching out! Good Wool would be a great option for this pattern! Good Wool has quite a bit more yardage per skein than Mulberry Merino had, and you need approximately 554 yards to complete this scarf. Each skein of Good Wool is 383 yards, so you will only need 2 skeins to complete this scarf! As always, I suggest working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thanks a lot Gianna, appreciate your quick reply. After a Iong wait finally I have received the yarns ( loving it!) and now looking forward to start this lovely project. I guess, I am good to go with 4 skeins of worsted twist merino yarn. Wish me luck !
Hello again!
I did end up figuring out my error, the slip stitch was throwing me off at first. But I am happy to report for others that CO of 6×6=36+1=37 does give you a 6 inch wide scarf with 6 jog stripes.
Perfect for a child size.
Thanks for this pattern!
Does the slip 1 count as a stitch in k2. Thank you.
Hi June,
Thanks for writing in! The slipped stitch does not count as one of the stitches in k2. Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
Hi there! For the slipped stitches, am I correct that these are knitwise slips with yarn in back?
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for reaching out! You’re correct–all the slipped stitches are slipped with yarn in back. A good rule of thumb is that stitches should always be slipped purlwise wyib unless indicated otherwise! So for this pattern, knitwise is indicated, but wyib/wyif isn’t, so they should be slipped knitwise wyib!
All the best,
Lili
I’m using this pattern for a temperature blanket. I haven’t started changed colors yet. Will I get the dash lines since this is a double sided pattern? If so, how can I avoid this? Thanks!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for reaching out. Because this pattern is alternating between knit and purl stitches on both the right and the wrong side, I’m afraid that there will always be some dashes of the previous color when you switch! The best way to minimize these though is to pick one side to be the right side (the blanket is otherwise reversible) and always change colors on this side. That way, the dashes will only appear on single stitches in the “broken” areas of the garter stitch, and not across the entire row. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili