Reversibly Cabled Scarf

Reversibly Cabled Scarf by Roxanne Richardson

What Is Being Made

The Reversibly Cabled Scarf is a knitted accessory designed to be attractive on both sides, making it a versatile piece that can be worn with either face showing. This scarf measures approximately 54 to 70 inches in length and about 7 to 8 inches in width, providing generous coverage for various styling options. The reversible design means knitters can enjoy the visual interest of cabled textures from either direction, adding practical appeal to this intermediate beginner project.

Techniques and Construction

This scarf employs cable knitting techniques to create its reversible texture. The design uses cable stitches worked across the width of the scarf, allowing the cables to be visible and attractive from both sides. The reversible quality is achieved through thoughtful stitch selection and cable placement that maintains visual interest regardless of which face is displayed. The scarf is worked lengthwise using straight or circular needles, with the cables adding dimension and visual complexity to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The primary stitches featured in this pattern include:

• Stockinette stitch – used as a foundation element in the scarf's construction
• Ribbing – specifically k1p1 (knit one, purl one) ribbing, which contributes to the reversible quality and provides elasticity
• Cable stitches – including CB8 (cable back 8) and CF8 (cable front 8), which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle and working cables in alternating directions to create the reversible texture
• Slip stitch – used as indicated in the pattern abbreviations

Materials and Yarn

The scarf pattern calls for Aran weight yarn, with the original design worked in Lana Grossa Bingo, a 100% merino wool yarn. Each ball of Bingo contains 50 grams and yields 80 meters or 88 yards. The pattern requires 4 to 5 balls of yarn, totaling approximately 350 to 440 yards; the scarf pictured in the pattern was created using 4½ balls (about 400 yards) to achieve a finished length of approximately 64 inches. Any equivalent Aran weight yarn may be substituted.

Needles and Tools

Two needle sizes are required for this project: US 9 (5.5mm) needles and US 11 (8.0mm) needles. Both straight and circular needles are suitable for this pattern. A cable needle or double-pointed needle (dpn) in approximately US 5 to US 7 size is needed for managing cable stitches; bamboo cable needles are recommended. A tapestry needle is also necessary for finishing and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The scarf is intentionally worked on larger needles than typical for the yarn weight, creating a more open, relaxed fabric. The gauge is 14 stitches per 4 inches when measured in stockinette stitch, and 16 stitches per 4 inches in relaxed k1p1 ribbing. The finished scarf dimensions range from 54 to 70 inches in length depending on yardage used, with a consistent width of approximately 7 to 8 inches.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it accessible to knitters new to cable work. While cables may appear complex, the pattern provides clear abbreviations and instructions for cable techniques such as CB8 and CF8, guiding knitters through the process of slipping stitches onto a cable needle and working cables in both directions.