Shibui Knits Mix No. 14 Scarf Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Mix No. 14: Striped Rectangular Scarf

What Is Being Made

Shibui Knits Mix No. 14 is a luxurious rectangular scarf designed by Shellie Anderson. This elegant accessory measures approximately 14 inches wide by 75 inches long, making it versatile for draping loosely over shoulders or wrapping casually around the neck. The scarf strikes a balance between practicality and refined luxury, suitable for a range of styling occasions.

Techniques Used

This scarf is worked flat on straight needles in a seamless construction method. The design features an irregular stripe sequence that mimics the natural striations of cliff formations. Color mixing is achieved by holding multiple strands of yarn together, allowing crafters to create custom color combinations and blended hues. The first stitch of each row is slipped purlwise with yarn in front, a technique that creates a neat, finished edge.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Mesa Stitch is the primary stitch pattern used throughout this design. Mesa Stitch is a shadow chevron motif that adds texture and visual intrigue to the scarf's surface. The pattern alternates between knit and purl rows in a structured sequence:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Slip 1 stitch, purl 2, knit to last 3 stitches, purl 3
• Row 2 (Wrong Side): Slip 1 stitch, knit 2, purl to last 3 stitches, knit 3

These rows are repeated throughout the scarf, with color changes occurring at regular intervals to create the striped effect. The initial setup includes garter stitch rows worked before the main pattern begins.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Shibui Knits Mix No. 14 is worked using Shibui Cima, a premium yarn composed of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% fine merino. This blend provides exceptional softness and drape. Each skein contains 328 yards and weighs 50 grams. The project requires 5 skeins of Color A and 2 skeins of Color B. The sample shown features Clay as Color A and Poppy as Color B, though the design notes that color pairing possibilities are nearly endless—crafters can experiment with tonal variations or complementary color combinations.

Construction Details

The scarf begins with casting on 91 stitches using Color A held double. The yarn is held with 2 strands together throughout the project, creating a lush, substantial fabric. Color C is created by holding 1 strand of Color A together with 1 strand of Color B, allowing for three distinct colorways from just two yarn colors. The stripe sequence is irregular and carefully planned, with varying row counts for each color section—ranging from 2 rows to 12 rows of a single color before switching. The pattern continues to approximately 50 inches from the cast-on edge before the final stripe sequence begins.

Needles and Tools

This project is worked on Size 3 (3.25 mm) needles. A tapestry needle is required for finishing. The recommended gauge is 26 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when working with 2 strands of yarn held together and after blocking.

Skill Level

Shibui Knits Mix No. 14 is rated as a Beginner-level project, making it accessible to knitters new to colorwork and pattern reading while still offering visual sophistication and professional results.