How to Knit a Rib Knit Scarf with a Clean Edge
Every once in a while, my eldest son lets me make something for him. When he does ask, I jump at the chance. With the cold weather we’ve been having, he requested a knit scarf. He knew exactly what he wanted – plain and grey. He showed me pictures of the scarf online so I knew exactly what to knit for him. It’s hard to make something acceptable for a teenager to wear!
The rib knit is a great, basic stitch pattern that every knitter should know. Even beginners can do this stitch – as long as you know how to knit and purl. The rib stitch combines the two basic stitches – the knit and the purl. You simply alternate between the 2 stitches: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, and so on. When you turn your work, be sure to knit on the knit stitches and purl on the purl stitches. This way, they line up and make the ribbed pattern. It should be opposite of the previous side, as the back of a knit is a purl and the back of the purl is the knit.
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For this scarf, I used Lion Brand’s Heartland yarn in the colourway 149 Great Smoky Mountains. This is a lovely, soft yarn that is made out of machine-washable acrylic. I love that it is not a sold grey, but has flecks of lighter grey in it as well. While it is still neutral, it has a lot of visual appeal. I used size 5.5 knitting needles. I prefer using Takumi bamboo needles.
For a basic oblong or rectangular scarf, simply cast on the number of stitches that you would like the width to be and then do the rib knit stitch back and forth, making the scarf the length that you want.
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When I first started making this scarf, however, I wasn’t happy with how the edges looked. When showing my mother the scarf, she showed me how to make a nicer, cleaner edge. This technique works well for any edge – the edge of a scarf, or the front edge of a garment that closes in front, like a wrap or a sweater. Look at the difference between the two different edges.
How to Knit a Rib Knit Scarf with a Clean Edge
In order to make a clean edge, this is how my mother taught me.
How to Knit a Rib Knit Scarf with a Clean Edge
- with the yarn end in front and on top of the knitting needles, slip the first stitch on to your needle (in other words, you do nothing – you simply move the loop over)
- with the yarn on TOP of your work, do a knit stitch – you will notice that this will create 2 loops (like a knit increase)
- continue on with the rib knit stitch pattern until you get to the last 2 stitches
- when you get to the last 2 stitches, knit 2 together (thereby decreasing a stitch).
Here is a video tutorial I made of the above:
The latest on Youtube:
So at the beginning of the row, you are increasing, or adding an extra stitch, but then at the end you decrease – so it should work out to be the same stitch count. The result is a nice, clean edge.
For the scarf I made for my son, I cast on 55 stitches and did the rib knit pattern for each row. This method is easiest if you cast on an ODD number of stitches.
I used about 1 and 2/3 of a second skein of yarn. The finished length was 54 inches long.
The scarf turned out nicely. It is a nice, basic scarf – nothing too flashy; something a teenager can be seen in public in – despite the fact that his mom made it!
That is a beautiful scarf and I loved how you explained how to get a clean edge – looks so professional and smart! Thank-you!
Thank you! I’m quite pleased with how it turned. out.
Thank you for sharing your knitting technique of clean and neat edge.
I knit like how you hold the needles. I am new to knitting and left hand.
You’re very welcome. That is how my mother taught me to knit.
Thank you for explaining this technique, I have been looking for something to tidy up the edges of my knitting. I also hold my needles as you do, with the right one under my arm, and sort of knit around it. I don’t remember anyone showing this to me, it just developed. I was told it is called “pit knitting” but I don’t know why. I live in the U.K.,
Thank you! My mom taught me this technique, as well as the way to hold the knitting needles that way. None of my friends knit that way, so I’m glad I’m not the only one!
The only person I know who knits the way you do, is a friend from Italy. I think it is called the European method but I could be wrong. She was able to knit skirts for her three daughters on straight needles and they looked so professionally made. I have tried that method but my arms are too long or my needles are too short.
Oh, interesting. I wonder then how my mother from China picked it up! I’ve never made something as big as skirts on needles before.
I started a man’s scarf last night and watch the 3 ins of the edges go wonky, I am going to frog it and follow your neat edge way. I learned to hold my needle like you do in 1966 on a boat to England by a Spanish passenger. I have never looked back. It took me a long time to learn to knit with double points and the circular needles. LOL
Thanks for the lesson.
Marjorie
You’re so welcome! Happy knitting with your scarf!
what should I do when I am knitting a triangle scarf and the regular increases are at the edge? thanks for any help.
Hi! I had to take a day to think about this one…..I would slip the first stitch (no increase) on to my other needle and do the knit stitch with the yarn on top (which makes a double loop, ie. increase). Then I would do the increase that you are supposed to do for the triangular shape. Then continue across until you have 3 stitches left. Then I would do the increase and then the 2 together (as per my instructions). So in other words, your regular increases are just inside of this technique. This technique makes a clean edge so you want this on the edge. Your increases will be just inside. Make sense?
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. It was just the right length! The scarf that you are making for your son, probably done by now(!), is very beautiful.
I have been looking for a clean edge for ribbing, and this method that you learned from your Mom is fantastic.
I think it was destiny for me to find this tutorial, because I was actually looking for a rib scarf pattern where I liked the picture a lot, when this tutorial starting running. I must have pushed some button without knowing it, and I’m so glad I did!
What I wanted to mention, and this I have learned from my experience with any back and forth-type knitting within one row, such as seed stitch or ribbing, k1, p1, is that it is faster, and much healthier, to do on a circular needle. I use Clover Bamboo circulars when I’m working on a scarf that is seed or rib stitch.
Thank you! I’m so glad you found this helpful. My mom would’ve been so pleased to know that it was also helpful to you. I’ve done a bit of circular knitting, but have only done it with traditional circular items like hats. I’ll have to give that a try. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
I’m so happy to have found you! I am returning to knitting after only learning some basics and sticking to easier patterns, so I happened to pick up 2 skeins of this very yarn up at Michael’s without a patter in mind, and here we are! I’m knitting this for a friend & I think he’s going to really like it.
I started this scarf tonight and I wanted to check in with you because I am getting a move even edge, but they kind of look like loose loops in the sides (I’ve only knit 4 rows so far). I am generally a tight knitter, and I’m trying to pull them tight but I think there’s so give to my initial technique. If you have any advice, I’d love it. Thank you so much! ~Lola
Hi Lola, please send me a pic to: wcoastmom@toomuchlove.ca so that I can have a better look.
Thank you for this tutorial! I can’t work out what I am doing wrong….When I cast on an even number of stitches and do the slip stitch, knit with yarn in front, purl, k,p,k,p etc, when I get to the second last stitch it should be a purl, not a knit…am I supposed to cast on an odd number of stitches? Thank you!
Hello! If you cast on an even number of stitches, you will end with the opposite stitch. If you cast an odd number of stitches, you will end with the same stitch.
Thanks for catching that. I will change the number in the post.
I just started making my first rib knit scarf for a friend and found this post while looking for patterns and I just love this technique! The scarf looks beautiful with the clean edge, this has made my week. I’m even more excited than I was to give this to my bestie! Thank you so much for sharing this with everyone!
Hello! I’m so glad you found this helpful. It warms my heart knowing that something my mother taught me has helped someone else.
Hello, I am wondering if this method will work the same on a 2×2 rib stitch? Thank you 🙂
Hello! I have not tried it on a 2×2. In my mind, it should, as long as you are continuing the 2×2 pattern. If you do try it, please let me know.
Hi. I know this is an older post but I just found it. I have one question. How is the first row done? Regular k1p1 rib?
Thanks
Gayle
Hello. Yes, I started off on the rib knit pattern which is k1p1.
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Great tutorial! Thanks. I don’t hold the second needle under my arm but I do prop it in my lap and likewise don’t have to hold it!