Learn to knit a no purl ribbed scarf as a long triangle instead of a long rectangle or circular. You need to know how to knit the cartridge belt rib stitch and how to increase stitches using knit into front and back (kfb).
I love the cartridge belt rib stitch. It is great for scarves. It is reversible (both sides look the same), requires no purling, and is, technically, a one-row repeat.
I wanted to knit a cartridge belt rib scarf but I am bored by the traditional long and narrow shape. A cowl requires casting a large number of stitches and it is also not one of my favourite things to do.
I thought why not start with a 3 or 5 stitch cast-on and increase the width by adding stitches progressively? I avoid a long cast-on, yet can produce a more uncommon shape.
The result is a long triangle cartridge belt rib scarf.
Abbreviations used
- K – knit
- byif, sl1p – bring yarn in front of the needle, slip 1 as if to purl, then bring yarn to the back of the needle
- KFB – knit from back (see this article on how to knit this)
Cartridge Belt Rib Stitch
The cartridge belt rib stitch is basically a 4-stitch + 3 stitch pattern. This means that you add 3 stitches to any multiples of 4. For example, 8+3, 40+3, 80+3.
The basic pattern is as follows:
K3, byif sl1p, K3
The slip stitch creates the elongated knit stitch. It looked raised because the rest of the stitches are seed stitches.
See detailed instructions including a chart, 2 videos at my Cartridge Belt Rib Stitch post.
No Purl Ribbed Scarf
This no purl ribbed scarf starts with a 7-stitch cast on and then increases one stitch every 2 rows on the same side using the knit into the front and back (KFB) technique. When the increase reaches 4 stitches, they are incorporated into the pattern.
The first row starts with a knit 1 stitch, bring the yarn in front of the needle, slip 1 stitch as if to purl, then bring the yarn behind the needle, knit 3 stitches, repeat the yarn forward, slip 1, yarn back, knit 1. 7 stitches.
It is written as K1 byif sl1p K3 byif sl1p K1
The second row is knit 3 stitches, bring the yarn in front of the needle, slip 1 stitch as if to purl, then bring the yarn behind the needle, and then end with knit 3 stitches.
This is written as K3 byif sl1p K3
Written Instructions
Cast on 7 stitches
Row 1: K1 byif sl1p K3 byif sl1p KFB
Row 2: K1 place marker K3, byif sl1p K3
Row 3: K1 byif sl1p K3 byif sl1p K1 shift marker KFB
Row 4: K2, shift marker K3 byif sl1p K3
Row 5: K1 byif sl1p K3 byif sl1p K1 shift marker K1 KFB
Row 6: K3 shift marker K3 byif sl1p K3
Row 7: K1 byif sl1p K3 byif sl1p K1 remove marker K2 KFB
Row 8: K7 byif sl1p K3 (11 stitches)
Rows 1 to 8 add 4 stitches making a total stitch count of 11. Row 9 incorporates the new stitches into the cartridge belt rib pattern. Repeat the instructions in the square brackets.
Row 9: K1 byif sl1p [K3 byif sl1p] KFB
Row 10: K1 place marker [K3 byif sl1p] K3
Row 11: K1 byif sl1p [K3 byif sl1p] K1 shift marker KFB
Row 12: K2 shift marker [K3 byif sl1p] K3
Row 13: K1 byif sl1p [K3 byif sl1p] K1 shift marker K1 KFB
Row 14: K3 shift marker [K3 byif sl1p] K3
Row 15: K1 byif sl1p [K3 byif sl1p] K1 shift marker K2 KFB
Row 16: K4 remove marker [K3, byif sl1p] K3
Repeat rows 9 to 16 until the desired length.
Bind off.
Yarn
I used lace yarn and knitted a fairly small scarf. Using worsted or bulky yarn will produce a larger size.
Let me know if you try out this no purl ribbed scarf.
