Monica Knits

This Linked Rib scarf is similar in appearance to Lynne Barr's Twisted scarf in the manner that New Wave is similar to Easy Wave, all samples from her book: "Knitting New Scarves - 27 Distinctly Modern Designs." Of the four patterns I tested, this one had the most challenging instructions, which I modified slightly to facilitate knitting. Read more .. for additional discussion of the "Linked Rib" scarf.

Discussion
The "Linked Rib" is more twisted in concept and execution than the softer sculpture, "Twisted." In enjoyed knitting both, but you need 5 or more dpns for the linked rib, so it is less portable than "Twisted" which can be knitted quickly with just 2 circular needles. Both patterns can be memorized, but twisted took less time to learn.

Quality Tips for Linked Rib

1. If you are like me and knit tighter in the round, use larger diameter needles for the circular knitting (stocking stitch in the round) and smaller diameter needles for the 1 x 1 ribbing of the flanges. In this swatch, I changed colors of yarn when switching from the circular portion (knitted in the round) to the 1 x 1 rib sections, knitted flat so that I could experiment with different needle sizes. I found that I needed to use 4.0 mm needles for the 1 x 1 ribs to match the 5.0 mm gauge of the stocking stitch knitted in the round. I switched the yarn at the transition so that I could better see the results.
2. The pattern recommended using one stitch marker, I found that a second one (orange in the photo above) was useful to mark the midpoint when combining the stitches into flanges. This way you don't have to count and when you get to the stitch marker, it is time to divide the stitches on the next set of needles. It also keeps you from absentmindedly knitting past the midpoint.
3. I also found it useful when dividing stitches for the ribs to use 2 colors of needles, since at one point there are six needles. I used a 4.0 mm chromed needle for the "back" stitches and a dull grey (5.0 mm needle) for the "front stitches. This also made it easier to knit the stitches from the back needle, which are tighter.
4. The pattern for creating the ribbed flanges instructs knitters to fold the second (back) needle clockwise behind the first needle. This instruction (and accompanying photograph) is a good initial description of how to orient the stitches and needles, but in practice it is easier to knit both the front and back stitches if you relax the second needle a bit so that it is somewhere between parallel and at 90^o to the front needle.

Related Posts
Book review: New Twist on Reversible Knitting (also discusses "New Wave" and "Easy Wave" scarves)
Reversible Knitting - Topology (sister article which discusses the "Twisted" scarf.