Cabled Scarf in Plymouth Oh My! - F198

Cabled Scarf in Plymouth Oh My! – Pattern F198

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio (pattern code F198) guides knitters through the construction of a classic cabled scarf using Plymouth Yarn's Oh My! yarn. Designed by JoAnne Turcotte and published by Plymouth Yarn Company, this pattern is available as a free PDF with yarn purchase and is well-suited to knitters who are ready to explore cable techniques for the first time or who want a satisfying, straightforward cable project.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a long, narrow scarf measuring approximately 6 inches wide by 60 inches long. The generous length makes it versatile for wrapping, draping, or tying, while the cable panel running the full length of the scarf adds rich texture and visual interest. The relatively simple construction — a flat, rectangular piece worked from cast-on to bind-off — makes this an approachable project despite the inclusion of cable work.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Oh My! — 3 balls required
• Needles: US size 10½ straight or circular needles, or the size needed to achieve gauge
• Additional tool: A cable needle is required for executing the cable crossings

The pattern specifies a gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch over stockinette stitch, so knitters are encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before beginning the full project. Plymouth Yarn Oh My! is a bulky, textured yarn, and its weight and character contribute to the bold, defined look of the finished cables.

Techniques Used

This pattern introduces and reinforces several core knitting techniques that are fundamental to cable knitting and scarf construction:

• Long-tail or standard cast-on: 23 stitches are loosely cast on to begin the scarf
• Garter stitch borders: Six rows of knitting at both the beginning and end of the scarf create neat, flat edges that prevent curling and frame the cable panel cleanly
• Selvedge garter borders: Throughout the cable pattern, the first and last 4 stitches of every row are knitted, maintaining tidy side edges along the full length of the scarf
• Cable needle technique: Stitches are slipped onto a cable needle and held either in back or in front of the work before being knitted, which is the fundamental method for creating cable twists
• Joining new yarn: The pattern specifically instructs knitters to firmly knot yarn when attaching a new ball, and to firmly knot all ends before weaving in — a practical finishing note suited to the yarn's texture
• Binding off and weaving in ends

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) — used throughout, including in garter borders and the right-side rows of the cable pattern
• Purl stitch (p) — used on wrong-side rows within the cable panel to create the stockinette background that makes cables stand out in relief
• Garter stitch — formed by knitting every row, used for the top and bottom borders as well as the side selvedge edges
• Stockinette stitch — the background fabric of the cable section, created by alternating knit right-side rows with purl wrong-side rows
• 5-over-5 cable crossings — the defining stitch pattern of this scarf, worked over 10 central stitches

The Cable Pattern in Detail

The cable repeat is worked over 16 rows and creates two distinct cable crossings that alternate to produce a classic rope or twist effect along the center of the scarf. The pattern is worked as follows:

• Rows 1–6: Establish the stockinette panel between the garter borders, building up the fabric before the first cable cross
• Row 7 (cable cross — back): The next 5 stitches are slipped to the cable needle and held