Step by step instructions on how to knit this beautiful scarf.
Knitting scarves is a lot of fun. It doesn't take a lot of yarn and you don't have to be a master knitter to get great results. I love knitting in the fall while watching TV.
When I wanted to knit a cable scarf, I couldn't find a nice simple pattern. They were way to complicated and most of them were too wide. So I designed this one. Cable knitting isn't hard at all once you know how to do it. Yet it can give the simplest project a very expensive look.
When I wanted to knit a cable scarf, I couldn't find a nice simple pattern. They were way to complicated and most of them were too wide. So I designed this one. Cable knitting isn't hard at all once you know how to do it. Yet it can give the simplest project a very expensive look.
Contents at a Glance
Things you'll need
To do cable knitting you'll need these items.
Needles - That goes without saying. I'll give you the needle sizes when we get started.
Row Counter - This is a very important tool. As you knit, you'll need to keep track of the row number so you know when to do the cable. It's a very handy item that slips right on your needles.
Cable needle - This is a small double pointed needle to keep the slipped stitches safe until you need them. A safety pin won't work because it needs to be "open" at both ends.
That's all you need besides your yarn of course. So Let's get started.
Needles - That goes without saying. I'll give you the needle sizes when we get started.
Row Counter - This is a very important tool. As you knit, you'll need to keep track of the row number so you know when to do the cable. It's a very handy item that slips right on your needles.Cable needle - This is a small double pointed needle to keep the slipped stitches safe until you need them. A safety pin won't work because it needs to be "open" at both ends.That's all you need besides your yarn of course. So Let's get started.
Symbols
K = knit
P = purl
sl = slip the stitches onto the cable needle
That's all you need to know for this pattern.
P = purl
sl = slip the stitches onto the cable needle
That's all you need to know for this pattern.
Cast on
The best method I've found
I've tried various methods of casting on the stitches and found this one to be the easiest and give the nicest edge. It also eliminates the guess work on how much yarn to start with.
1. Create a slip knot on your left needle.
2. Knit into slip knot, leaving the stitch on the left needle.
3. Place the new stitch onto left needle. You now have two stitches on the left needle
4. Knit into the gap in between the last two stitches on left needle.
5. Place knitted stitch onto left needle. You now have three stitches on the left needle
6. Repeat this step until the number of stitches required are on your left needle.
7. Now, begin knitting normally
The Pattern
It's time to get started.
Yarn - I used 2 balls of Lions Brand worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles for this scarf. Use a solid light color yarn so the cable shows well.
Cast on 38 stitches.
K2,P2 for 2"
Pattern
Row 1 - K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6
Row 2 - P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6
Row 3 - repeat row 1
Row 4 - repeat row 2
Row 5 - K6,P2,sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6, P2, sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6
Row 6 - repeat row 2.
That's the whole pattern. Now you just repeat the pattern until you have the length scarf you want. Then:
K2, P2 for 2"
Cast off
Yarn - I used 2 balls of Lions Brand worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles for this scarf. Use a solid light color yarn so the cable shows well.
Cast on 38 stitches.
K2,P2 for 2"
Pattern
Row 1 - K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6
Row 2 - P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6
Row 3 - repeat row 1
Row 4 - repeat row 2
Row 5 - K6,P2,sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6, P2, sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6
Row 6 - repeat row 2.
That's the whole pattern. Now you just repeat the pattern until you have the length scarf you want. Then:
K2, P2 for 2"
Cast off
Using bulkier yarn
When using a 5 bulky yarn.
Use size 10 needles and use the pattern below
Pattern
Cast on 38 stitches.
K2,P2 for 2"
Row 1- K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6
Row 2 - P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6
Row 3 - repeat row 1
Row 4 - repeat row 2
Row 5 - repeat row 1
Row 6 - repeat row 2
Row 7 - K6,P2,sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6, P2, sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6
Row 8 - repeat row 2.
With the bulkier yarn, you need to add the extra two rows to stretch the cable out a bit to make the bulkier yarn sit smoother.
I tried doing 3 cables with the bulkier yarn but I found it to be just a bit too heavy.
Use size 10 needles and use the pattern below
Pattern
Cast on 38 stitches.
K2,P2 for 2"
Row 1- K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6,P2,K6
Row 2 - P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6,K2,P6
Row 3 - repeat row 1
Row 4 - repeat row 2
Row 5 - repeat row 1
Row 6 - repeat row 2
Row 7 - K6,P2,sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6, P2, sl 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K3, knit the three stitches from the cable needle, P2, K6
Row 8 - repeat row 2.
With the bulkier yarn, you need to add the extra two rows to stretch the cable out a bit to make the bulkier yarn sit smoother.
I tried doing 3 cables with the bulkier yarn but I found it to be just a bit too heavy.
Variations
Now that you're comfortable with doing cable knit, you can start getting creative. Here are a few variations you can do.
1. Instead of doing the middle row just knit/purl, cable knit that section as well to make 3 cables. You can make all the cables go the same way by holding all the sl 3 stitches to the front.
2. Decrease the number of stitches and do the center panel with only 2 stitches instead of 6.
3. Do the center panel with another pattern
Seed Stitch
Row 1 = K1,P1
Row 2 = P1,K1
The Double Moss Stitch
Row 1 = Knit two, purl two across.
Row 2 = Knit two, purl two across.
Row 3 = Purl two, knit two across.
Row 4 = Purl two, knit two across.
The possibilities are endless. Be sure to choose a stitch that looks good on both sides.
1. Instead of doing the middle row just knit/purl, cable knit that section as well to make 3 cables. You can make all the cables go the same way by holding all the sl 3 stitches to the front.
2. Decrease the number of stitches and do the center panel with only 2 stitches instead of 6.
3. Do the center panel with another pattern
Seed StitchRow 1 = K1,P1
Row 2 = P1,K1
The Double Moss StitchRow 1 = Knit two, purl two across.
Row 2 = Knit two, purl two across.
Row 3 = Purl two, knit two across.
Row 4 = Purl two, knit two across.
The possibilities are endless. Be sure to choose a stitch that looks good on both sides.
Online sites you'll find very helpful
Studio Knits- This site helps you make your pieces look more professional. Her tips and tricks have helped me many times.
Basic Knit Instructions
About.com-Learn to Knit
The Knitting Site
Library of knitting stitches
Basic Knit Instructions
About.com-Learn to Knit
The Knitting Site
Library of knitting stitches
Knitting Forums
There's nothing like getting on line and discussing a knitting project with others. Here are some forums you might like to check out. Sign up, join in, you'll find them all very friendly and helpful.
Knitting Help
Knitting Forums.com
About.com-Knitting
Knitting Help
Knitting Forums.com
About.com-Knitting
Free knitting patterns
These patterns are for beginners to masters.
Free Knitting and Crochet Patterns
Knit Picks
Knitting Pattern Central
Free Knitting and Crochet Patterns
Knit Picks
Knitting Pattern Central
Here are some great books
For beginner knitters to advanced.
The Knitting Answer Book
Amazon Price: $23.95 (as of 12/21/2009) 
The Friday Night Knitting Club (Friday Night Knitting Club Novels)
Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 12/21/2009)
Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book
Amazon Price: $24.53 (as of 12/21/2009)
Fearless Knitting Workbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Confidence
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 12/21/2009)
Teach Yourself Visually Knitting (Teach Yourself Visually)
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/21/2009)
Magazines worth looking into
Get tip,tricks and patterns sent right to your door every month
Vogue Knitting International
Amazon Price: $21.97 (as of 12/21/2009)
Creative Knitting, May 2008 Issue
Amazon Price: (as of 12/21/2009)
Creative Knitting, November 2008 Issue
Amazon Price: (as of 12/21/2009)
Knit'N Style
Amazon Price: $24.97 (as of 12/21/2009)
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- Angel Angel Dec 8, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
- Awesome scarf...I never ever made cables before, your instructions were wonderful and I am now a proud owner of a beautiful scarf
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Reply
- buteoflyer buteoflyer Dec 9, 2009 @ 8:32 am
- Thats wonderful. Take a picture of it and post it. I really want to see everyone's scarves.
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Reply
- Kimberly Kimberly Nov 19, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
- Thanks so much, you explained it very well.. now I just need to buy the cable needle to get started.
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- TiffKnit TiffKnit Nov 19, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
- Thanks for this pattern! I'm going to get started right away :)
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Reply
- buteoflyer buteoflyer Sep 22, 2009 @ 8:28 am | in reply to hilary
- Woo Hoo! You go girl :-D Show us when your done.
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by buteoflyer
I am a self taught artist. Even though I have a degree in fine art, I feel I am completely self taught. Everything that I wanted to learn I had to tea... (more)
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