Shibui Knits Grass and Stone Scarf Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Grass and Stone Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Grass and Stone Scarf is an elegant, lightweight accessory designed by Elizabeth Elliott. This knitted scarf features simple geometric texture combined with bias shaping to create a soft, refined finished piece. The scarf measures 8 inches in width with finished length options of 72 or 90 inches, making it a versatile accessory suitable for various styling preferences.

Techniques Used

This scarf is worked using several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and structural refinement:

• Bottom-up construction: The scarf is worked from end to end, allowing knitters to adjust length as desired during the knitting process.
• Seamless, worked flat: The entire scarf is created on straight needles without seaming, maintaining clean edges throughout.
• Bias shaping: Shaping occurs at the beginning of each row inside the I-cord edging, creating the characteristic diagonal flow of the design.
• Fauxtarsia technique: A creative yarn-holding method where two yarns are worked together to a stitch marker, then one yarn is dropped while the other continues alone. On return rows, the single yarn is worked to the marker before picking up the second yarn to work both yarns held together for the remainder of the row.
• Part-row stripes: Subtle stripes created by alternating between single and doubled yarn at each end of the scarf provide a refined finishing touch.
• I-cord edging: A structured edge treatment that frames the bias shaping and geometric texture.

Stitches Used

The Grass and Stone Scarf employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in a geometric pattern:

• Knit stitch: The primary stitch creating the base fabric structure.
• Purl stitch: Used in combination with knit stitches to create the simple geometric texture.
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative increases and contributes to the lace-like quality of the design.
• Knit through the back loop (k tbl): Adds textural variation and refinement to specific stitch placements.
• Decrease stitches: Purl two together (p2tog) and other decreases balance the yarn overs and maintain the bias shaping.
• Slip stitches (sl): Used with yarn in front (wyif) to create clean, finished edges, particularly in the I-cord edging.
• Stocking stitch (St st): The primary fabric base, worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches with single-strand yarn.

Materials

The Shibui Knits Grass and Stone Scarf showcases luxurious fiber blends designed to create a soft, elegant drape:

• Shibui Knits Pebble: A premium blend of 48% recycled silk, 36% fine merino, and 16% cashmere. This yarn provides softness and subtle sheen. Three skeins are required, each containing 224 yards at a 25-gram weight. The recycled silk content contributes to the yarn's lustrous quality and environmental sustainability.
• Shibui Knits Reed: A pure linen yarn (100%) offering structure and breathability. Two to three skeins are needed, each containing 246 yards at a 50-gram weight. Linen's natural properties create a crisp hand and excellent drape characteristics.
• Needles: US size 6 (4 mm) straight needles are used to work the flat fabric at the specified gauge.
• Additional tools: A tapestry needle for finishing, one stitch marker to indicate pattern sections, blocking pins, a blocking mat, and optional blocking wires to shape and set the finished scarf.

Skill Level and Gauge

This pattern is rated at intermediate skill level, requiring knitters to be comfortable with basic techniques including knit, purl, increases, decreases, and slip stitches, as well as the more specialized fauxtarsia method. The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stocking stitch using one strand of Pebble held together with one strand of Reed on US size 6 needles. While exact gauge is not essential, variations