December 2007

Pattern: Gail's Easy Cable Scarf

Here's an easy cable scarf to match last month's hat. Both are dedicated to Gail, the former listmom of Knit-U and Knit Design, who passed away suddenly after an illness. She will be missed by many knitters around the globe.

Size

Approx 6" (15 cm) wide by 64" (162 cm) long, without fringe

Gauge

27 sts = approx 5" unstretched and unblocked in Cable Rib patt

Materials

Yarn: 369 yards (326m) of chunky weight yarn. I used 3 balls of Plymouth Galway Chunky (100% wool, 100 grams = 123 yards per ball), 1 ball each in MC (turquoise), A (green) and B (hot pink). For a machine washable scarf, Plymouth Encore Chunky or Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky would work well.

Knitting needles: Size 10 (6mm) needles

Cable needle and tapestry needle

If you've never knitted cables before, check out this quick lesson.

Instructions

Body

With MC, CO 27 sts.

Rows 1 and 5 (RS): *(K1, p1) 3 times; k4 for cable, p1, (k1, p1) 3 times, k4 for cable, (p1, k1) 3 times.

Rows 2, 4 and 6: Work in patt as est, knitting the knits and purling the purls.

Row 3: (K1, p1) 3 times, sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k2, k2 from cable needle, p1, (k1, p1) 3 times, sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k2, k2 from cable needle, (p1, k1) 3 times.

Repeat rows 1 - 6 another 4 times with MC.

Change to A. Rep rows 1 - 6 another 5 times.

Change to B. Rep rows 1 - 6 another 5 times.

Rep stripe pattern, working 5 repeats of Cable Rib patt with MC, A, and B another 2 times, then work 5 repeats of Cable Rib patt with MC.

BO all sts.

Finishing

Weave in ends.

Use remaining yarn to attach fringe to ends of scarf.

Wash and dry flat, stretching scarf to measure 6-7" (15-18 cm) wide, and pinning in place to open up ribbing if desired.