CogKnition

Amy: Cabled Scarf Knitting Pattern

Amy, a cabled scarf

The Amy Scarf was originally knit for my Maid of Honor, Amy. We grew up together in Wisconsin, where a large, thick scarf like this is very useful in the winter!

FREE! Download (pdf, 744K)

  • 07/03/2009: Fixed errors in row 17 of pattern instructions and KRL instructions.

Although this pattern is available free for non-commercial use, please consider making a small donation in support of the time and effort that went into this design. Thank you!

Amy, a cabled scarf

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 8"/20 cm wide x 61"/153 cm long

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto (100% extrafine merino wool; 115 yds/105 m per 1¾ oz/50 g), shown in #23015; 6 skeins

The sample scarf was knit with 6 skeins of Debbie Bliss Rialto with very little left over. If you wish to swatch or make a longer scarf, purchase an extra skein.

Exact gauge for this project is not important. However, be sure to wash and block your swatch before checking gauge; Debbie Bliss Rialto may relax considerably after washing.

This pattern includes:

  • Beginner-to-intermediate cables—all cable patterns are provided in both chart and written form
  • Blocking

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8 Comments

  1. personna says:

    Beautiful design – although I pulled hairs getting the pattern established. Guess it’s been too long since I knit a busy cable pattern. I’ve just finished the first full pattern and realize this needs to be a sweater. It is really too pretty to limit it to a scarf. I’ll have to beg help at my local knitting shop to take my measurements and write a pattern.

    I want to point out one typographical error on pattern line 17: the second to the last abbreviation says “K4F” and it should be “C4F.”

    Thank you again for this wonderful pattern.

    • Yvonne says:

      Thank you for the lovely comments! And for letting me know about the typo. It’s on my list.

      If you turn the pattern into a sweater, please write back and let me know how it turns out!

  2. KarenS says:

    Hi, Yvonne – What a BEAUTIFUL scarf this is! I’m considering make it as a man’s scarf in a dark grey or camel tone, but I’m having trouble figuring out which yarn to use, as some of the descriptions of the better yarns say things like, “Great for kids’ wear or indoor knits.” I’m looking for something that will look elegant, not too bulky, but also be very warm, and some of the merino wool descriptions simply say “lightweight” but give no hint of how warm they are. I’m also a little concerned about your comment that this particular yarn you used “relaxes” when it’s washed. I want something that is easy for a busy attorney to maintain and also holds its shape. With all that, I’m still SO in love with your scarf and determined to make it. Any suggestions? Thanks! – KarenS :)

  3. KarenS says:

    P.S. That would be “considering MAKING it” – should have proofed before pushing send LOL. – K.

    • Yvonne says:

      Hi KarenS!

      I would recommend using the Rialto! :) It’s superwash and I think it comes in the colors you want. My comment about the yarn “relaxing” just means the scarf will grow in both width and length as the stitches settle, so make sure to wash and block a swatch in the cable pattern if you want an accurate idea of how big the finished scarf will be. Once the finished scarf has been washed and blocked, it will hold that shape just fine.

      This property is common to many yarns. You’ll see Clara Parkes mention it often in her yarn reviews (e.g., her review of Karabella Aurora 8). It happens because of the way the fibers get compressed during the spinning and knitting process. Water makes them de-compress. It’s not something to worry about in terms of yarn quality (and from my experience, higher-quality yarns are more likely to do this), just something to be aware of if you want the finished garment to be a particular size.

      If you want to substitute a yarn, I wouldn’t recommend using anything heavier than DK weight, otherwise it will be bulky. Use a superwash wool-based yarn. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK would be a good choice, and Rowan/RYC makes several DK weight yarns that would be great as well. I used Rowan Cashsoft DK for the Red Herring Scarf and it’s held up very well over the years. I gave the original Amy Scarf away, so I unfortunately can’t comment on how well Rialto holds up over time, but Debbie Bliss yarns are great yarns and I wouldn’t hesitate to use one for any project.

      Hope that helps!

      • KarenS says:

        Hi, Yvonne! Wow, thanks for the speedy and oh-so-helpful and detailed reply! I have been away from knitting for almost a decade now, so I’m a little rusty and not up on the latest trends in yarns. Also, in that last phase of knitting fever, most of my projects were something that would be used in situations where beauty and durability was important (like a child’s blanket/throw), but “elegance and style” was not a high priority. For this scarf, though, I really want something that looks classy and elegant and yet wears well. Since this is for a man, I’m thinking of experimenting with your pattern to try and get an additional cable repeat on either side, to widen it a bit. I will definitely be experimenting with swatches and blocking to see what happens. Your additional tips and advice have been MOST helpful in my quest to make a scarf that will be loved … and most of all WORN and enjoyed. THANK YOU SO MUCH! – KarenS :)

  4. Maggie says:

    Hi, Love the scarf!! Just wanted to point out or actually ask… Row 5 of the cable pattern, the last stitch is p2, shouldn’t it be p4?