This cable scarf uses traditional cable patterns, but does not look entirely traditional because it is not conventionally symmetrical. The three cables get progressively wider across the scarf, rather than having identical narrow cables flanking a more complex and wider central motif. The idea behind the design plays with our perception of symmetry. When the scarf is tied or wound tightly around the neck, the pattern on the scarf is irrelevant. When the scarf is draped simply around the neck and allowed to trail down the chest, the cable patterns will line up, creating an eye-catching symmetry across the entire chest, rather than just across the scarf. However, there is a subtle internal symmetry in the design: the reverse stocking stitch division between the 10-stitch braid and the 16-stitch honeycomb is the centre of the scarf.

It’s a good pattern for a first cable project because the stitches are manipulated every fourth row in all three of the cable patterns, and the row repeats are either four or eight rows long, so knitters can easily see how the patterns fit together.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• approximately 580 yards of Knitting Worsted Weight yarn
• 4.5 mm knitting needles (straight or circular), or size needed to achieve tension
• cable needle

TENSION: 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stocking stitch

CABLE ABBREVIATIONS

C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work; knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle; then knit stitches from cable needle

C4F (Cable 4 Front): Slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work; knit next 2 stitches from left-hand needle; then knit stitches from cable needle

STITCH PATTERNS

Double Moss Stitch
Row 1: K1, P1, K1 to end
Row 2: P1, K1, P1 to end
Row 3: Repeat Row 2
Row 4: Repeat Row 1
Repeat rows 1-4 to create the pattern.

Rope Cable (worked over 4 stitches)
Row 1 (right side): C4B
Rows 2 and 4: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Repeat rows 1-4 to create the pattern.

Braided Cable (worked over 10 stitches)
Row 1 (right side): C4B twice, K2
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 5: K2, C4F twice
Row 7: Knit
Repeat rows 1-8 to create the pattern.

Honeycomb (worked over 16 stitches)
Rows 1 (right side): (C4B, C4F) twice
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 5: (C4F, C4B) twice
Row 7: Knit
Repeat rows 1-8 to create the pattern.