Taijitu is a Chinese name for the Yin-Yang symbol of Taoist philosophy. This symbol represents the dualistic nature of existence (i.e. good/evil, dark/light) and the interdependence of opposing balanced forces.

The Taijitu scarf shows the interplay of the changing colors, with one being dominant on each side, and each face being a mirror image of the other. Here, there is no right or wrong side, the interconnected colors are complimentary and harmonious but completely reversed. You finish with two scarves in one!

The pattern is worked with only knit and slip stitches, there are no purls, and yet you end up with a wonderful plump type of mock rib. It’s a joy to watch the color change on each face, and, after blocking, the reverse face really shows through on the other side, expanding the color dimensionality of the whole piece. In the end, you will have a luscious, long and extravagant scarf that is warm and cozy and yet lightweight, with beautiful drape.

Finished size after blocking approximately 80” long and 14.5” wide. Gauge will vary based on yarn and needles used. For planning purposes know that at this gauge you will get about 10” in length for every 50g of yarn.

Choosing color: Pick any colors that have contrast, it’s best to go with colors that are different from each other, if there are areas where the same or similar colors meet you will find the pattern a bit more challenging to keep track of. Each gradient will be dominant on one side of the scarf, you effectively get two scarves with your finished project! Sample is worked with both Minikins and full-size Sport Superwash gradient yarns – alternatively you could go with assorted Minikins to create a scarf with more color changes or just stick to two larger balls for the slowest color change.

Choosing yarn weight: There are really no restrictions on this, go with a yarn weight you enjoy working with. The resulting fabric is somewhat plump and squishy so keep that in mind if you opt for anything heavier than a Sport weight as it will add bulk to the final scarf. You will want to do a swatch first – 4” wide should be enough to guide you. For a worsted swatch cast on a multiple of 4 sts plus 3 – something like 23 sts would be wide enough. For a sport or fingering weight swatch you might want to cast on 27 or 31 sts. You will need to block the swatch to get true finished dimensions as it will grow in both width and length.