This stretchy 100% slip stitch crochet pattern contrasts two kinds of slip stitch ribbing for a fascinating, richly textured effect. It’s worked in one piece, lengthwise, and would be a beautiful wintertime gift.

I began the design as a teaching aid—a rib stitch sampler—for Slip Stitch Crochet classes. To illustrate two important types of slip stitch ribbing, I combined them in one sampler swatch and fell in love. I knew I had to make a bigger version to wear!

Not knowing how much yarn a scarf size would require, I made the one shown just long enough to overlap comfortably as a neck warmer. The pattern includes easy information and styling suggestions if you wish to increase the length and/or width. The one shown required less than two skeins.

“Weltie” is a play on the UK term “welting.” I noticed this term for what Americans call “ribbing” while I researching ribbed stitches. This scarf is welted with both horizontal and vertical ribs. The fluted vertical rib looks like a ruffle in this design in contrast with the horizontal rib. It’s stretchier than other kinds of crochet ruffles.

Skill Level: Experienced. Three different kinds of slip stitches are used in this design, and one of them is advanced and uncommon: an inverse stitch.

If you haven’t already tried a pattern using basic slip stitches, consider it an Intermediate skill until you’re comfortable making any slip stitch with a consistently looser stitching gauge as determined by the crochet hook size. The slip stitch is one of the first stitches crocheters learn how to make, but they are taught to make them tightly! If this is an ingrained habit for you, it will take some practice to make your slip stitches consistently looser.

After following this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to crochet classic horizontal slip stitch ribbing
• How to crochet a useful & lovely vertical slip stitch ribbing
• How to crochet three kinds of slip stitches and understand their combined textures
• How to use a hook-led stitch gauge
• How to increase with slip stitches two ways

Finished Dimensions
Unstretched: Pictured Weltie is 27” long X 8.25” wide {69 cm X 21 cm} measured flat (not hung). Customizing information is included for widening and lengthening scarf.

Substituting a yarn: Choose a wool blend, or wool-textured acrylic #4 medium weight yarn that lists a crochet hook size range from US H/8/5mm-I/9/5.5mm on its label. These yarns may also be referred to as Worsted, Aran, and occasionally “afghan weight.” If you choose a tonal or other type of self-striping yarn, stripes will run lengthwise along the scarf (not across its width).

Recommended if you’re new to slip stitch crochet: 4 or more stitch markers until you can recognize the last slip stitch of each row of both ribbing types.

A button or shawl pin (optional)

I’ve kept pattern abbreviations to a minimum, and include International English equivalents for American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms.