It Ain't Plain, Jane!

A great way to use up that skein of worsted you couldn't resist or the one that's left after finishing that sweater.

Materials:

- 1 skein Malabrigo worsted 196m/215yds (Substitute any worsted yarn you would like so long as you adjust needles sizes to keep the pattern from looking holey or getting too stiff. If you use a smaller yarn you’ll get a thinner scarf or increase your cast on number by a multiple of 4, thicker yarn, decrease your cast number on by a multiple of 4 as the scarf is 15.5cm/6” wide with a worsted yarn.)
- 7mm needles (No US equivalent, I’d use 10 ½ )
- Tapestry Needle


Gauge: 9 sts and 11 rows = 5cm/2” in pattern

Notes: CB2B = Slip one stitch to cable needle and hold to back, Knit the next stitch, then knit the one on the cable needle. You will be working cables on both sides of the scarf which makes it reversible.


Pattern:

Cast on 30 sts

Row 1: K2, *K2, P2* repeat *to* to last 2, K2
Row 2: K2, *P2, K2* repeat *to* end
Row 3: K2, *CB2B, P2* repeat to last 2, K2
Row 4: K2, *P2, CB2B* repeat to last 4, P2, K2
Row 5: Repeat row 1
Row 6: Repeat row 2
Row 7: Repeat row 1
Row 8: Repeat row 2
Row 9: Repeat row 3
Row 10: Repeat row 4

ERRATA: If you want the small tight cables like in the photos above, only repeat Rows 1 - 4. I made a mistake when I wrote out the pattern and only caught it thanks to Emmybear. Otherwise your cables will simply look a little more elongated than mine.


Repeat Rows 5 to 10 another 30 times so you have a total of 31 cables including the one just after the cast on row. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 then begin Keyhole rows [RS]

Keyhole Rows:

Row 1: Work 10 stitches in pattern, bind off 10 stitches, work remaining 10 stitches in pattern.
Row 2: Work 10 stitches in pattern, cast on 10 sts, work remaining 10 stitches in pattern.
Repeat Rows 5 - 10 in pattern another 6 times. Work Rows 1 and 2. Make sure that there is a good length left to cast off and to reinforce Keyhole.

Cast off.

Then, with length of yarn, reinforce Keyhole all the way around to both strengthen it and to tidy the cast on edge and sides.

Weave in ends.

Written by Dorothy Broderick. You may not distribute or sell this pattern without permission. You may make items for sale using this pattern so long as you agree to donate 5 dollars of the profits to your local Heart Association.


Have I mentioned that I miss my good camera? Ah well, hopefully the person who ends up with this scarf will be able to take better pictures for me.