How to Knit A Simple Cable Knit Scarf

Just like my 8-hour toddler sweater pattern, this project can be completed in well under a day. I made several last Christmas in different colors, and each one took about 4-6 hours, depending on the length.

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How to Knit A Scarf

There are many different ways to knit a scarf, depending on the style of the person receiving it.

As with knitting in general, there are really only 2 basic stitches needed in order to make a scarf: A knit stitch and a purl stitch.

With those 2 stitches you can do any of the following 3 scarf knitting patterns!

You could do a simple straight stitch scarf:
1. Cast on the number of stitches wide you want the scarf to be.
2. Knit across. Turn work.
3. Purl across. Turn work.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until scarf is the desired length!
5. Bind off stitches.

You can also to an even easier pattern by replacing step 3 above with another knit row!

So a knit stitch only scarf pattern would be:
1. Cast on the number of stitches wide you want the scarf to be.
2. Knit across. Turn work.
3. Repeat step 2 until scarf is the desired length!
4. Bind off stitches.

I love this pattern because if you’re not confident with the purl stitch, you can still make a lovely scarf!

Plus it has the added benefit of not curling up on the edges like the straight stitch scarf tends to do.

Simple Cable Knit Scarf Pattern

Grab your favorite yarn and some knitting needles and get ready to whip this project out quick!

I used a light weight cotton yarn and size 8 bamboo needles for this project, but it is adaptable for any size yarn and needle combination you choose to use.

Stitch Guide
C3L (Cable 3 Left): Slip next st to cable needle and hold at front, K2, then K1 from cable needle

C3R (Cable 3 Right): Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold at back, K1, then K2 from cable needle

Pattern

Cast on: 33 stitches

Row 1: K3, *P1, K7, P1; rep from * 3x, K3

Row 2: K3, *K1, P7, K1; rep from * 3x, K3

Row 3: K3, *P1, C3R, K1, C3L, P1; rep from * 3x, K3

Row 4: K3, *K1, P7, K1; rep from * 3x, K3

Repeat Rows 1 through 4 until scarf reaches desired length. Bind off.

NOTE: A good rule of thumb for scarf lengths is to make it as long as the recipient is tall. However, 40ish inches for an adult is plenty unless you live in an extremely cold climate where it needs to be wrapped several times around!

Once you’re done, hand-wash the scarf in warm water with gentle soap like this one, and lay it straight and flat to dry (I place mine on a few towels laid across the kitchen table).

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Simple Cable Knit Scarf Pattern

Instructions

Stitch Guide

1. C3L (Cable 3 Left): Slip next st to cable needle and hold at front, K2, then K1 from cable needle

2. C3R (Cable 3 Right): Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold at back, K1, then K2 from cable needle

Simple Cable Knit Scarf Pattern

1. Cast on: 33 stitches

2. K3, *P1, K7, P1; rep from * 3x, K3

3. K3, *K1, P7, K1; rep from * 3x, K3

4. K3, *P1, C3R, K1, C3L, P1; rep from * 3x, K3

5. K3, *K1, P7, K1; rep from * 3x, K3

6. Repeat Rows 1 through 4 until scarf reaches desired length. Bind off.

Recipe Notes

NOTE: A good rule of thumb for scarf lengths is to make it as long as the recipient is tall. However, 40ish inches for an adult is plenty unless you live in an extremely cold climate where it needs to be wrapped several times around!

Once you're done, hand-wash the scarf in warm water with gentle soap like this one, and lay it straight and flat to dry (I place mine on a few towels laid across the kitchen table).

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