Knitting has some realities that set up certain limitations, so when a technique comes along that breaks the rules, we’re all ears!

Helix Tube Scarf | Purl Soho

Our Helix Tube Scarf employs the very simple technique of helix knitting to bust through the usual problems of knitting stripes in the round: having to limit the number of rows between uses of a color (or else weave in a ton of ends!) and dealing with the dreaded “jog” at the end of round.

Helix Tube Scarf | Purl Soho

With helix knitting, you knit a few stitches of each color one right after the other, offsetting the colors by a stitch each round. In effect, you’re orchestrating a spiral of successive colors that looks like tidy little rounds of stripes. And even more amazing, it’s all super simple to do. Our pattern below explains, and our Helix Knitting Tutorial further demonstrates!

Helix Tube Scarf | Purl Soho

And what better way to explore a new technique than with a new palette of Super Soft Merino? We have added nine new colors to the collection, many included here in our Helix Tube Scarves… Grab a handful of Super Soft Merino and jump right into something new!

Helix Tube Scarf | Purl Soho
Helix Tube Scarf | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!

Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoHelixTubeScarf, and #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerino. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

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To knit your own Helix Tube Scarf, you will need…

  • 8 skeins of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 87 yards.
    • Color A: 2 skeins, approximately 107 yards required (We used Heirloom White for both the warm and cool color options.)
    • Colors B-G: 1 skein each, approximately 79 yards of each required (We used the colors listed below!)

You’ll also need…

We made our Helix Tube Scarf in two palettes…

WARM (above, left)

  • Color A: Heirloom White
  • Color B: Peachy Pink
  • Color C: Lotus Flower
  • Color D: Oatmeal Gray
  • Color E: Super Orange
  • Color F: Bougainvillea Pink
  • Color G: Crocus Bud

COOL (above, right)

  • Color A: Heirloom White
  • Color B: Stillwater Blue
  • Color C: True Turquoise
  • Color D: Gray Denim
  • Color E: Artemisia Green
  • Color F: High Tide
  • Color G: Timeless Navy

Gauge

10½ stitches and 14 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Size

  • Finished Dimensions: approximately 8 inches wide x 74 inches long (from rolled edge)
  • Finished Circumference: 16 inches

Notes

Construction

This scarf is knit in the round inside out with the knit side facing you. After knitting the scarf, you will turn it right side out so that the purl side is facing you.

Helix Knitting

For a demonstration on how to work this technique, please visit our Helix Knitting Tutorial to watch our Helix Knitting video.

Pattern

Begin

With Color A, loosely cast on 42 stitches. We used a Basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Work in reverse stockinette stitch, purling every round, for 1½ inches.

Next Round: Continuing with Color A, knit to end of round.

Helix Knitting

Round 1: With Color A, k6; with Color B, k6; with Color C, k6; with Color D, k6; with Color E, k6; with Color F, k6; with Color G, k6.

Round 2: With Color G, k6; with Color A, k6; with Color B, k6; with Color C, k6; with Color D, k6; with Color E, k6; with Color F, k6.

Round 3: With Color F, k6; with Color G, k6; with Color A, k6; with Color B, k6; with Color C, k6; with Color D, k6; with Color E, k6.

Round 4: With Color E, k6; with Color F, k6; with Color G, k6; with Color A, k6; with Color B, k6; with Color C, k6; with Color D, k6.

Round 5: With Color D, k6; with Color E, k6; with Color F, k6; with Color G, k6; with Color A, k6; with Color B, k6; with Color C, k6.

Round 6: With Color C, k6; with Color D, k6; with Color E, k6; with Color F, k6; with Color G, k6; with Color A, k6; with Color B, k6.

Round 7: With Color B, k6; with Color C, k6; with Color D, k6; with Color E, k6; with Color F, k6; with Color G, k6; with Color A, k6.

Repeat Rounds 1-7 until piece measures 74 inches from cast-on edge, unrolled.

Cut Colors B-Color G.

End

Next Round: With Color A, knit to end of round.

Continuing with Color A, work in reverse stockinette stitch, purling every round for 1½ inches.

Loosely bind off knitwise.

Weave in the ends, turn piece purl-side out, and steam if desired.

Helix Tube Scarf | Purl Soho