Riley Stripe is really somewhere between a narrow wrap and a generously sized scarf. Whatever you choose to call it it’s a lightweight, eye-catching design inspired by the abstract work of artist Brigit Riley that explores both graphic and textural contrasts.

The first section begins with a two colour braided cast on before being worked in solid coloured blocks and columns of slip stitch that sit on a background of striped garter stitch. After finishing with a two colour cast off then picking up and knitting into the side edge of the first piece the second or main section is worked in the same technique but in a much smaller scale pattern before once again ending once with a two colour cast off.

This design was originally published in issue 122 of The Knitter and has now been updated with both charted and written instructions and has been re checked and tech edited. The PDF also includes links to tutorial videos for both the cast on and cast off techniques.

Originally knitting in the now discontinued Isager Viscolin a linen / viscose blend I’ve replaced it with Isager Bomulin a linen / cotton blend. The combination of yarns given creates a fabric that drapes particularly well but feel free to explore your own yarn combinations.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Techniques
Knit, purl, slip, working simple stripes, two colour cast on, two colour cast off, pick up and knit

Materials
Col 1
3 x 50g Isager Highland Wool
100% wool 550 m / 100g (601 yds / 3½ oz) in shade 72116 Rhubarb

Col 2
3 x 50g Isager Bomulin
65% linen 35% viscose 210 m / 50g (229 yds / 1¾oz) in shade 40

Finished scarf measures
35 cm wide x 182 cm long (13¾ in wide x 71½ in long) measured from straight edge to shaped edge

Tension
28.5 sts and 52 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over slip and garter stitch stripe from Chart 1 using 3.50 mm (US 4) needles or size needed to achieve stated tension

26.5 sts and 52.5 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over slip and garter stitch stripe Chart 2 using 3.50 mm (US 4) needles or size needed to achieve stated tension