Advanced Knitting: A Classic Scarf

A photo I recently posted to Instagram stunned me this week with over 150 likes in a day. For some that's NBD but I get excited to see any more than 30 likes. And it's just a scarf.

Keeping those skills sharp. Check back for a pattern (sketches in my #bulletjournal). If you can work from a chart it's super easy. // #knitting #cableknit #knittedlace #knitlace #handknit #knittersofinstagram #instagramknitters #knittedscarf #handknitscarf #neutral #naturalcolors #minimal #minimalist #minimalismo #minimallove #minimalism #wool #naturalwool #woolclothing #accessories #thingstowear

A post shared by Natalie Jōst (@nataliejost) on Nov 21, 2016 at 11:52am PST

I mentioned I'd later share my chart for the design, so here it is, with minimal explanation. I would love to write up a nice professional pattern for these things but I sadly don't have the extra time.

Instead, you'll find some very basic hints to get you going and the rest is up to you. This is better for advanced knitters but if you don't feel like you're really good at this yet, try it anyway. You might be better than you think!

Supplies

I'm very relaxed about sizes and quantities, just making it up as I go. If it's not a garment that needs to fit perfectly, you won't need to gauge and you won't need an exact size need or type of yarn. Pick one you like, use needles you have, and go for it.

2-3 skeins of worsted weight yarn
size 7 or 8 needles (straight or circular)
scissors, and a yarn needle to weave in the ends when you're done

The Pattern

This pattern has 3 main styles in columns, repeated in a mirror image. My process is a bit unconventional. I've written instructions for each column separately (ABC) with selvage (+) and gutters (|) between.

The design is... +A|B|C|B|A+

Cast on 54 stitches

+ ) 3 stitches - Seed Stitch (KPK) on both sides

| ) 2 stitches - Between each pattern column are two reverse stockinette stitches for the gutter (purl on the right side, knit on the wrong side).

A ) Slip Cable - 6 stitches, 12 rows

CABLE 2/1R - Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, K1, K2 from cable needle

CABLE 1/2L - Slip 1 stitch onto cable needle and hold in front, K2, K1 off cable needle

1. Knit

2. Purl

3. Knit

4. P2, Slip 2, P2

5. CABLE 2/1R / CABLE 1/2L

6. Repeat row 4

7. Repeat row 5

8. Repeat row 4

9. Repeat row 5

10. Purl

11. Knit

12. Purl

B ) Lace - 9 stitches, 8 rows

S1K2TOGPSSO

Slip 1 as if to knit, knit the next 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over these two knitted stitches, decreasing 2 stitches.

1. K1 / YO / S1K2togPSSO / YO / K1 / YO / S1K2togPSSO / YO / K1

2. P2, K1, P3, K1, P2

3. K2, P1, K3, P1, K2

4. P2, K1, P3, K1, P2

5. K2tog / YO / K1 / YO / S1K2togPSSO / YO / K1 / YO / K2tog

6. K1, P3, K1, P3, K1

7. P1, K3, P1, K3, P1

8. K1, P3, K1, P3, K1

C) Cable Twist - 10 stitches, 6 rows

C4R

Slip 2 stitches on cable needle and hold in the back, K2, K2 off cable needle

1. K4 / C4R / K2

2. Purl

3. K2 / C4R / K4

4. Purl

5. C4R / K2 / C4R

6. Purl

Keep going with these 24 rows (see chart) and bind off when your scarf is long enough. If you want to make a blanket, shawl, or other wider piece, play with the columns, adding more stitches, or just repeating more of them to make larger piece of fabric.