Seaman’s-Style Scarf with Reversible Cables

Yarn: Something fabulous in fingering weight, e.g. Bollicina, Taj Mahal, Luxury, Merino Superfine, or Mondial Gold; approximately 400 yards.
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to give a pleasing fabric; you may also want a cable needle or double-pointed needle in the same size.
Gauge: Not really crucial; it’s a scarf! You will want the cables to show up nicely, so not too loose; but you also need to be able to cross the cables, so not too tight. My scarf measures about 12 st = 1 inch in the cable pattern. Stockinette stitch in the same yarn and needles I used would be about 7 st = 1 inch.

C2L= slip 2 st to cable needle as if to purl and hold to front; K next 2 st, then K 2 st from cable needle. The 2 stitches from the cable needle will cross to the left on the side facing you as you work.
SSK= slip 1 st knitwise, slip the next st purlwise, and knit the 2 slipped sts together – this makes a flat, unobtrusive decrease.
m1=make 1 st by inserting right needle into purl bump behind next K st, from below, and knitting it; then K the K st itself.

Cast on 60 stitches. Begin Cable Pattern:

Row 1: (K4, P4) across; end K4.
Row 2: (P4, K4) across; end P4.
Row 3: (K4, P4) across; end K4.
Row 4: (P4, K4) across; end P4.
Row 5: (C2L, P4) across; end C2L.
Row 6: (P4, K4) across; end P4.
Row 7: (K4, P4) across; end K4
Row 8: (P4, C2L) across; end P4.

Repeat Rows 3-8 until scarf is 12” from caston edge, or desired length of tail – depending on the height of intended recipient.

Decrease Row 1: (K1, SSK, K1, P4) across; end (K1, SSK, K1).
Decrease Row 2: (P3, K1, SSK, K1) across; end P3. You should have 45 stitches.

Continue in K3P3 rib as established for 18” or desired length – this is the part that will go around the back of the wearer’s neck. End by working a row that begins and ends P3.

Increase Row 1: (K2, m1, K1, P3) across; end K1, M1, K2.
Increase Row 2: (P4, K2, m1, K1) across; end P4. You should have 60 stitches.

Work Rows 7-8 of Cable Pattern; then repeat Rows 3-8 of Cable Pattern until second “tail” corresponds to the first, ending final repeat with Row 7. Bind off loosely in Pattern Row 2.

© 2004 Kate Winkler/Designs for Dove Cottage. This pattern may be distributed freely, provided this notice is attached. This pattern may not be sold or kitted for sale.

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