For more helix knitting patterns, see the rest of my Ink Series.

Worked in the round from one end to the other, Ink Scarf uses the helix knitting technique to create easy jogless one-row stripes on a long tubular scarf. Completely reversible thanks to invisible color changes, one side displays stockinette stitch and the other reverse stockinette, each with a slipped stitch decorative linear detail. Pair two contrasting tonal yarns as in the red sample, or introduce an array of leftovers as shown in the blue. Versatile fingering weight yarn makes a lightweight scarf that can be knit to any length.

Construction: the helix knitting technique avoids the jog in color between stripe rounds, as well as removes the ridge where yarns are carried on the reverse of the work, making the scarf delightfully reversible. Helix knitting is used in the striped sections of the Ink scarf, with 8 stationary markers to indicate the position of the vertical slipped stitch columns. No EOR marker is needed, as the “round” is constantly spiraling around the work. The solid sections utilize normal circular knitting, where an EOR marker is used and then removed. For my video tutorial of the invisible provisional CO, and for helix stripe knitting, see www.jenniferdassau.com/support/tutorials/
The Ink Scarf is cast on with the first color using the folded hem method for a non-curling stockinette edge, then continued with the addition of one or more colors for the helix stripes sections, which are easy to work with just one color per round.

Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, slipped stitches, working in the round, turned hems.

Size: 52” length and 9.5” width, customizable.

Yarn: use fingering weight yarn in at least two colors in any amount and combination of full skeins, mini skeins, or leftovers. Estimate about 750- 900 yards for length similar to the scarves shown.

Yarn (blue Ink sample): Adirondack Yarns Spirited Fibers Fingering (80% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon; 400 yards/366m/100g), 1 skein Silver (A), Baah Yarns La Jolla (100% merino wool; 400 yards/366m/115g), 1 skein Night Sky (B), Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/366m/110g), 1 skein Tempo (C) and 1 skein Cordovan (D). The blue sample used 460 (A), 252 (B), 156 (C), and 64 (D) yards.

Yarn (red Ink sample): Adirondack Yarns Spirited Fibers Fingering (80% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon; 400 yards/366m/100g), 1 skein Oxblood Lily (A), and Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 382 yards/350m/100g), 1 skein Roc City (B). The red sample used 400 (A) and 336 (B) yards.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular needle and scrap yarn for CO/hems; Stitch markers (4 color A and 4 color B, 1 for EOR); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 32 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may result in a smaller or larger finished scarf, and different yardage requirements.

Thank you to my wonderful tech editor Kate Vanover.