The sideways shawl, or scarf is a popular knitting pattern. It starts with only a handful of cast-on stitches, increases to the middle, and decreases back down to the same number of stitches that were cast on. So, if you don’t enjoy casting on or binding off loads of stitches or have a hard time binding off loosely enough to match the cast-on, then the sideways scarf is a great pattern.

Truly Triangular Scarf

Another benefit to this type of pattern is that you can use however much yarn you want or have available. Weigh your yarn before starting on a small kitchen scale. Then weigh the remaining yarn periodically while you work the increase section and when half the yarn is left, begin decreasing. This is the perfect way to use up some stash yarn! Plus, it’s a great pattern for one skein of yarn.



The Truly Triangular Scarf is a simple garter stitch sideways triangular scarf. The increase stitch used is kfb (knit into the front and back of the stitch) which is a great choice for garter stitch as it is nearly invisible. The decrease stitch used is the k2tog (knit 2 stitches together), also nearly invisible in garter stitch. The increase and then decrease stitches are worked on every right side row, causing the scarf to increase and then decrease quite sharply, creating a true triangle shape.

Truly Triangular Scarf full view

This pattern has a slipped stitch edge on every side of the triangle. I love using this edge stitch, especially on a garter stitch shawl or scarf. It makes a lovely neat and clean edge. To make this edge, the first stitch of every row is slipped knitwise (as if to knit) while holding the yarn at the back of the work (wyib). The last stitch of every row is purled. It helps to work these first and last stitches tightly to maintain a smooth edge.

Truly Triangular Scarf closeup

When a pattern lacks embellishment or complexity, the yarn is what can make it truly beautiful. The yarn used here is Malabrigo Rastita. It is a slightly felted merino wool. It is a DK weight yarn. Any sport to worsted weight yarn could work well with this pattern. Gauge isn’t too important.

Truly Triangular Scarf Instructions

Materials

  • 1 skein of Malabrigo Rastita (100% merino wool; 310 yd [283 m]/3.53 oz [100 g]). Shown here in Cereza.
  • US size 8 [5.0 mm] needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
  • 1 stitch marker.
  • Blocking materials.

Gauge

  • 17 sts and 26 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in garter stitch, after blocking.

Stitches Used

  • k – knit
  • p – purl
  • sl – slip the stitch from left to right needle as if to knit, with yarn in back
  • kfb – knit into the front and then the back of the stitch (increase)
  • k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)

Instructions

Weigh yarn. Half of the yarn will be used for the increase section and the remaining half for the decrease section. Weigh yarn periodically as you work to see how much is left. All slipped sts are slipped knitwise (kwise) with yarn in back (wyib).

Cast on 3 sts.
Setup Row 1 (WS): Sl1, kfb, p1.
Setup Row 2 (RS): Sl1, k1, place marker, kfb, p1.

Increase Section:
Row 3 (WS): Sl1, k to marker, slip marker, k1, p1.
Row 4 (RS): Sl1, k1, slip marker, kfb, knit to last st, p1.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until half of yarn has been used. Weigh yarn periodically to check.

Decrease Section:
Row 5 (WS): Sl1, k to marker, slip marker, k1, p1.
Row 6 (RS): Sl1, k1, slip marker, k2tog, knit to last st, p1.
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until 4 sts remain.

Next Row (WS): Sl1, k1, remove marker, k1, p1.
Next Row (RS): Sl1, k2tog, p1.

Finishing

Bind off the remaining 3 sts. Weave in all ends. Wash and block to desired measurements.



scarves compared

The Truly Triangular Scarf increases and then decreases sharply, creating a true triangle shape. What happens when the increasing and decreasing happen more gradually? Try the Totally Triangular Scarf!

Pattern by Michelle Krause.

Copyright 2014 by Leah Michelle Designs. Pattern and photos may not be sold for profit or distributed or reproduced without permission.

30 Comments

  1. How would I do this with seed stitch or the following stitch: k1, *p1, k1*, rep til end of row all rows (odd number stitches) ?

    1. The stitches you mention require an even number of stitches to always be maintained in every row. This pattern increases and decreases by one stitch at a time so the stitch count is not always even. Those stitches won’t work as the pattern is currently written. Sorry!

  2. Did you use DK weight yarn?

    1. Yes, Rastita is a DK weight yarn. Any DK yarn may be used.

  3. I have wide and thick shoulders and would need to make a large shawl. So may I ask how long your shawl is so I can adjust the amount of yarn needed. Thank you.

    1. My shawl is 56 inches wide and 21.5 inches deep, after blocking. I hope that helps!

      1. It helps, Thank You.

  4. thanks for the awesome pattern, I do not understand what you mean with place marker, I assume that you mark the stich, and then in the next row it says slip marker, that is were I got lost, is there a video for the first couple of rows?? Mine looks like a triangular from the bottom up…

    1. Use a stitch marker that sits on the needle, not attached to any particular stitch. It just marks the spot where the increase or decrease stitch will be worked. It’s just a reminder for you. You place the marker on the needle when you begin the pattern and then you slip it off one needle and onto the other every time you work a row, keeping it in that same spot. If it confuses you instead of helps you, then don’t use it. It’s optional!

  5. I’m an absolute beginner – this is my second project after making just the super standard sort of garter stitch scarf. I had to look up how to do a lot of the stitches, but the scarf turned out perfectly, just like your pictures. Thank you so much for the pattern!

    1. You’re welcome and I’m so happy to hear that you were successful!

  6. Hi,
    How many stitches did you have on the needle at the widest point? Do you recommend using a circular needle, or are there not that many stitches?

    1. Hi! Unfortunately I don’t have my scarf with me and can’t count the stitches to be sure. However, I do know that the Totally Triangular Scarf would have about 60 sts on the needle at the middle point using a skein of Rastita. So, I would guess that you would have closer to 100-110 sts on the needle at the middle point of the Truly Triangular Scarf using a skein of Rastita. Can anyone else who has knitted this one give us an answer to this? I would suggest using a circular needle to hold the sts, just to make it easier. I hope this helps!

      Michelle

  7. I have 1 skein of fingering weight yarn. approx. 430 yards. Suggestions for needle size to make this wrap.

    1. Hi! I like to use a US6 needle for fingering weight shawls. That should work well with this pattern.

      Michelle

  8. Can you please clarify that k1 meant to make1 and not just knit 1 stitch.. thanks great pattern.

    1. Hi there! K1 means knit one stitch. It does not mean make 1. The increase stitch in this pattern is kfb.

      Happy knitting!
      Michelle

  9. Hello,
    I understand that the photos and pattern cannot be reproduced, but is it alright to sell the finished product?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi! You are correct. The photos and pattern itself cannot be reproduced or sold. You may sell the finished product. That is totally fine.

      Michelle

  10. Hello!

    I’m wondering if you used the entire 310 yards of the yarn to complete this beautiful scarf? I read your note above about weighing the yarn (great tip!) and adjusting as needed. However, I have about 240 yards of a similar weight merino wool yarn and am trying to decide if the Truly Triangular or Totally Triangular pattern would work better for that amount.

    Any advice is greatly appreciated and thank you for sharing your patterns with the knit community 🙂

    1. Hi! Yes, I did use all of the yarn. You could also do it with your 240 yards, it would just be a smaller scarf.

      Michelle

  11. Gladys twinomugisha

    So beautiful will try it out

  12. Hi!
    I’m wondering about using yarn overs for increases on this pattern, as I am trying to make it a bit easier for friends who are first time knitters. How do you think it would work? Thank you!

    1. You could certainly use the yarn over increase instead of the kfb increase. But remember that the kfb is using an existing stitch to create a new stitch, thus turning one stitch into two stitches whereas the yarn over creates a new stitch where there wasn’t previously a stitch. As long as you account for this difference it should be fine.

  13. Would it work to use fingering weight yarn to make the Truly Triangular Scarf?

    1. Yes, it would. I would suggest using a US size 6 needle with fingering weight (just like my free Jagged Triangular Scarf pattern).

  14. Hi Michelle , Could you please explain how you block in. I have not come across this before.

    1. Yes! Here’s a link to my blocking tutorial: Shawlette Blocking 101. Soak the shawl in water and wool wash (or some type of gentle soap or shampoo), carefully squeeze the water out of it, and then stretch it out into the shape and size you want on some type of blocking surface. Then pin the edges to the blocking surface and leave it to dry. Yarn with a high wool content will stretch and form easily and dry in shape. I use blocking boards made for this purpose but many people block on towels, beds, or other similar surfaces. Some knitters buy blocking wires to thread along the edges for a straight edge but I usually just use pins. I block my shawls hard, meaning I really stretch them out to make a light and airy fabric. But you can block to whatever final size you wish.

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Michelle

Northern Canadian knitwear designer publishing original knitting patterns.

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