How to Make a Simple Fisherman’s Rib Knit Scarf

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A woman wearing a simple fisherman's rib knit scarf wrapped around her neck.

Learn how to make a fisherman’s rib knit scarf with this free pattern and step-by-step tutorial. You can view the pattern completely free on this page, or you can buy the ad-free, printable PDF from our shop.

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 BY BRITTANY
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A close up of a fisherman's rib knit scarf in a Caron Colorama Halo O'Go yarn.

Skill Level | Intermediate
Finished Size | 8.5″ wide x 116″ long


When it comes to choosing the perfect stitch pattern for a knitted scarf, the fisherman’s rib is right up there on our list. It produces a reversible, stretchy fabric with a beautiful drape.

Our simple fisherman’s rib knit scarf is an excellent starting point if you’re eager to learn this versatile stitch and put your knitting skills to good use.

About Our Fisherman’s Rib Knit Scarf Pattern

If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic knit scarf, look no further! This one is a must-have. It’s super comfy to wear and has a lively bounce that adds to its coziness and style.

The star of this pattern is the fisherman’s rib, a stitch that may remind you of the trendy brioche stitch but is much simpler to knit. If you’ve never given this stitch a try, don’t worry – this tutorial is the perfect place to start. Even if you’re not a knitting expert, we’re confident that a determined beginner can easily follow our instructions and make this delightful scarf.

Keep reading for more frequently asked questions, and pattern details, or jump down to the free pattern.


Pattern Overview:

A woman wearing a fisherman's rib knit scarf worked in a light blue yarn.

You can view the pattern completely free on this page. But, if you prefer having a digital copy that you can save or print, we’ve got you covered with that option as well.

If you’d like to support our work here at B.Hooked, purchasing the digital pattern is a wonderful way to do so!

Buy the Digital PDF Pattern


We like to use circular needles for most of our knitting projects, but for this scarf you can use straight needles as well.

Stitch Abbreviations Used In Our Fisherman’s Rib Knit Pattern


  • CO Cast On
  • Knit
  • K1-B Knit 1 Below
  • P Purl
  • Rem Remaining
  • Rep Repeat
  • St(s) Stitch(es)
A picture of a blue fisherman's rib knit scarf lying flat with a peach-colored sweater.

Pattern Notes


We paired this pattern with Caron Colorama Halo O’Go yarn for the gorgeous ombre and fluffy soft feel, but you can substitute any medium-weight yarn you want. Just be sure to check your gauge so there are no sizing or yarn surprises.

If you’re new to making yarn substitutions, it’s a good idea to read this article first!

Fisherman’s rib is easy to knit, but difficult to rip back if you make a mistake. We recommend placing a lifeline (running a scrap piece of yarn through the live stitches) every so often. That way if you make a mistake, you can remove the needle, and rip it back to your lifeline where the stitches are safely held in place.

The shape is pretty good right off the needles, but knits can always improve with a little blocking. For the neatest results wet block the scarf when you’re done.

Gauge: 15.5 stitches and 17 rows = 4″ worked in the fisherman’s rib stitch

Finished Size: 8.5″ wide; 116″ long (blocked)

Not sure what gauge is? Check out our comprehensive guide to learn all about it here.

Simple Fisherman’s Rib Knit Scarf Pattern


Cast on 33 sts.

Row 1: K all sts.

Row 2 : *P1. k1-B. Rep from * to last st. p1.

Row 3: k1 (edge st). *k1. k1-B. Rep from * to last 2 sts. k2.

Repeat Row: Rep rows 2 and 3 until the project measures the length you want, ending after finishing a 2nd row.

Bind Off: Start the bind-off on a 3rd row. Work a standard knitting bind off, by knitting all stitches in the bind off.


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This pattern is for personal use only. You agree not to modify, publish, transmit, sell, create derivative works or in any way exploit any of the content within this page, in whole or in part. If you wish to share this pattern, share a link to this webpage only. You may sell finished items made from this pattern.
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Fisherman’s Rib Knit Scarf Step-by-Step Tutorial


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Right-Handed Tutorial on YouTube

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More Knitting Tutorials + Free Patterns for Scarves

Making free patterns for everyday projects like scarves is kind of our thing. Check out some of our other tutorials with free knitting patterns specifically for knitting scarves:

Frequently Asked Questions About Knitting Scarves

How do you knit a fisherman’s rib scarf?

The best way to knit a fisherman’s rib scarf is to use a simple pattern with clear instructions. Our fisherman’s rib knit scarf is the perfect way to learn how to knit a fisherman’s rib scarf.

Is a rib stitch good for a scarf?

In most cases, a rib stitch isn’t what you want to use for a scarf. While they’re stretchy and reversible, the elasticity causes them to shrink up and not show the beautiful stitch pattern. Even if you block them, over time they will shrink back up. However, the fisherman’s rib stitch is an excellent choice for a scarf. This stitch stays “open” revealing the beautiful ribbed pattern at all times.

How many stitches do you need to knit a scarf?

The number of stitches you need to knit a scarf will depend on how wide you want the scarf to be, the yarn, and the needle size that you use. It’s best to knit a little swatch first and measure how many stitches are in four inches. Then you can use this to help you figure out how many stitches to cast on for the width you want.

What is the difference between a fisherman’s rib and a regular rib?

The fisherman’s rib looks different than a regular rib stitch. Regular rib stitches have a lot of stretch that bounces back when you let them go. In the fisherman’s rib, the placement of the stitches makes it look more open, like the brioche stitch.

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