Sophie Scarf

Light, modern and highly textured, the Sophie Scarf is a reversible knit scarf that reads beautifully on both sides. It’s an easy-to-memorize 8-row repeat that uses slipped-stitch texture to create gentle diagonal ribs. Suitable for confident beginners and anyone who likes relaxed, repeatable rhythm stitches. Finished dimensions and materials below — everything you need to make one beautiful scarf.

Finished Size

• Width: approx 8” / 20.5 cm
• Length: approx 70” / 178 cm (before blocking). Length can be adjusted by adding or subtracting pattern repeats—details below.

Yarn

• Worsted weight (US 4 / Aran) recommended.
• Suggested amount: approx 300 yards / 274 metres (one generous skein), or 2 x 200 yd (183 m) skeins for extra length or bulky yarns. Example skein size: 200 yd (183 m) per 100 g skein — you’ll need ~1–2 skeins depending on desired length and tension.
• Fiber: any wool, wool blend, or washable acrylic that blocks well. Smooth yarn shows the slipped-stitch texture most clearly.

Needles

• Main needles: Straight or circular (used flat) 24”+ length.
• Suggested sizes (choose based on your tension):
• Recommended: US 8 / UK 5 / 5.0 mm
• For a looser drape: US 9 / UK 4 / 5.5 mm
• Tip: Swatch in the stitch pattern before you start; adjust needle size to hit gauge and drape you prefer.

Gauge

• Approx 18 stitches x 24 rows = 4” / 10 cm in the pattern on 5.0 mm (US 8) needles. Gauge is flexible for a scarf; if your gauge is much tighter or looser, change needles and/or stitch count.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• sl1 wyif = slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn held in front
• sl1 wyib = slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn held in back

Notes

• Pattern is reversible: both sides are attractive. Work every row as written; there are no increases or decreases, so stitch count stays constant.
• Multiple: Pattern repeat is a multiple of 8 stitches + 2 edge stitches. The sample uses 42 sts (edge sts included) for an 8” width. To adjust width add or subtract 8-stitch repeats.

Cast On

Cast on 42 stitches (or any number = 8n + 2). I used long-tail cast-on for a neat edge.

Setup Row (WS)

Slip first stitch purlwise with yarn in front (this gives a clean selvedge and becomes your first edge stitch). Work pattern across to last stitch. Slip last stitch purlwise with yarn in front. (These two are the edge sts and are included in the 42.)

Stitch Pattern (8-row repeat)

Work between the edge sts as follows. Maintain the edge slip sts at both sides on every row.

Row 1 (RS): slip 1 wyif, *k2, p2, sl1 wyif, k3; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyif.
Row 2 (WS): slip 1 wyib, *p2, k2, sl1 wyib, p3; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyib.
Row 3 (RS): slip 1 wyif, *k3, sl1 wyif, p2, k2; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyif.
Row 4 (WS): slip 1 wyib, *p3, sl1 wyib, k2, p2; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyib.
Row 5 (RS): slip 1 wyif, *k2, p2, sl1 wyif, k3; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyif. (Same as Row 1.)
Row 6 (WS): slip 1 wyib, *p2, k2, sl1 wyib, p3; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyib. (Same as Row 2.)
Row 7 (RS): slip 1 wyif, *k3, sl1 wyif, p2, k2; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyif. (Same as Row 3.)
Row 8 (WS): slip 1 wyib, *p3, sl1 wyib, k2, p2; repeat from * to last edge stitch, slip 1 wyib. (Same as Row 4.)

Repeat Rows 1–8 until piece measures approx desired length (sample: ~70” / 178 cm before blocking), ending after Row 8 or any full 8-row repeat.

Bind Off

Bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls where visible on the edge) to match stretch of fabric. Leave a long tail for a neat finish if you plan to graft ends or join with a decorative seam.

Finishing

• Weave in ends using duplicate stitch under the slipped columns for neatness.
• Blocking: gently wet block to even out the texture and relax the fabric. Pin the scarf to desired length and width and let dry. The slipped-stitch pattern will open and soften slightly when blocked.
• Optional fringe: Add 4” / 10 cm fringe pieces along the short ends before blocking (attach pairs of strands through bound-off edge using a crochet hook). Trim evenly.

Variations & Tips

• Make it wider: cast on additional 8-stitch repeats (8 sts = approx 2” / 5 cm wide with this yarn and needles).
• Make it squishier: use US 9 / 5.5 mm needles and a yarn with more halo or loft for a softer drape.
• Color play: try stripes every 8–12 rows or use a gradient yarn for an effortless look.
• Edge treatment: work a garter-stitch border (add 3 sts garter at each side) if you prefer a different edge than the slipped-stitch selvedge.

Care

• Block and dry flat. Fiber-dependent: hand wash cool for wool or follow yarn manufacturer instructions; many worsted acrylics can be machine-washed on gentle but check your yarn label.

Notes for Designers

Because the pattern contains no yarn-overs or decreases, it’s ideal for modifying length and width without changing stitch counts. The slipped-stitch columns act as a built-in visual selvedge and help prevent cupping.

Happy knitting! If you have questions about sizing or substituting yarns, contact support at team@verde.uk or visit PurlJam. Share finished projects with us using the hashtag #purljam.

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