Cables look wonderful on hats. They look wonderful on socks, or on gloves, or on sweaters. They even look pretty good on pillows and blankets.
But one place they don’t always look so good is the simple rectangular scarf.
Cables tend to have one side that looks intricate and beautiful, and one side that looks much worse. It is easy to arrange a hat, or a sock, or a sweater, or even a blanket, so that only one side is visible. A scarf? It's quite a bit harder.
So I started thinking about reversible cables. I've made a few scarves with reversible cables before, but for this one, I wanted something special. I wanted a relatively large, elaborate pattern running down the middle. I wanted it to look different on both sides, but I still wanted to have it look good on both sides.
This is the result.
model: Ariel Barton photos: Micah Smukler and Miranda Barton
MATERIALS
Yarn Blue Version (shown above): Dream in Color Jilly [100% merino wool; 440 yd per 100g skein]; color: Tranquil; 2 skeins Note: a somewhat shorter scarf, about 30--36 inches long, may be made with 1 skein.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1 set US #2/2.75mm needles
Cream Version (shown below): Louet Gems Fine/Sport Weight [100% merino wool; 225 yd per 100g skein]; color: Cream; 2 skeins Note: A third skein is needed if you wish a longer scarf.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1 set US #3/3.25mm
Notions cable needle yarn needle
GAUGE
Blue Version:
32 sts/50 Rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Approximately 50 sts/50 Rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch, unstretched
Cream Version:
28 sts/40 Rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Approximately 40 sts/50 Rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch, unstretched
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Adjusting the size:
You can adjust the width of the scarf by knitting with a thicker or thinner yarn, at a looser or or tighter gauge. You can also adjust the width by adding or subtracting stitches in the seed stitch panels; the blue scarf has seed stitch panels 10 stitches wide, and the cream scarf has seed stitch panels 8 stitches wide.
C4L: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle C4R: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
T4L: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, purl 2, knit 2 from cable needle T4R: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, purl 2 from cable needle
C4L-Rev: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, purl 2, purl 2 from cable needle C4R-Rev: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, purl 2, purl 2 from cable needle
Rib-Cable: Slip 4 to cable needle and hold in front, (k1, p1, k1, p1), then (k1, p1, k1, p1) from cable needle.
Cable Pattern Numbers for Blue version are first; numbers for Cream version in brackets after.
Charts The chart for this pattern is very large and fits on a letter-sized page.
Click here and print the resulting page.
DIRECTIONS
CO 60(56) sts.
Working from chart or written instructions, work Rows 1-2, then repeat Rows 3-18 until scarf is just about desired length, then work Rows 19-31.
BO in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Block by washing gently in warm water with mild detergent, shampoo, Soak or Eucalan. Press between towels and lay flat to dry.
Note: I got better results when I blocked the scarf with the Saxon braid side facing down.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Ariel is a mathematician at the University of Minnesota. In her spare time, she reads, folds origami, and, of course, knits.
You can read about her knitting projects in her journal.
