Reversible Cable Rib Scarf in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Reversible Cable Rib Scarf in Caron Simply Soft – Pattern Summary

Designed by Marilyn Losee, the Reversible Cable Rib Scarf is a beautifully structured knitted accessory that combines bold cable crossings with a classic ribbed texture to create a scarf that looks polished and intentional from both sides. This is a downloadable PDF pattern available at no cost, making it an excellent choice for knitters looking to expand their cable skills without a significant investment. The finished scarf measures a generous 9 inches wide by 72 inches long (23 cm x 183 cm), providing a substantial, cozy wrap suitable for gifting or personal use.

Design Overview

What sets this scarf apart is its true reversibility — both faces of the fabric are attractive and intentional, meaning there is no "wrong side" to hide. This is achieved through a carefully engineered combination of seed-stitch-style borders, a k2/p2 ribbed body, and alternating cable crossings that read cleanly from either direction. The result is a sophisticated, timeless accessory that works equally well draped loosely or wrapped snugly around the neck.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting – The pattern features two primary cable maneuvers: C16F (a 16-stitch cable crossing worked to the front) and C16B (a 16-stitch cable crossing worked to the back). These large, dramatic cables are the visual centerpiece of the scarf and require a large cable needle.
• Ribbing – A k2, p2 rib runs through the body of the scarf between the cable panels, contributing to the reversible structure and providing natural elasticity and drape.
• Seed-stitch border – A seven-stitch border on each edge, worked in a [p1, k1] sequence, frames the scarf and prevents curling while adding a refined, textured edge.
• Purlwise slip stitch selvedge – Every row begins by slipping the first stitch purlwise with yarn in back, creating a neat, chained edge along both long sides of the scarf.
• Stitch marker placement – Markers are used to separate the border stitches from the body pattern, keeping the cable and rib repeats aligned throughout the length of the scarf.
• Bind-off technique – The pattern specifically instructs knitters to switch to smaller needles for the bind-off row to prevent flaring at the cast-off edge, a professional finishing detail.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – The foundational stitches that build the rib and border sections
• C16F – Slip 8 stitches to cable needle and hold to front, knit 8, then knit 8 from cable needle
• C16B – Slip 8 stitches to cable needle and hold to back, knit 8, then knit 8 from cable needle
• Sl 1 purlwise wyib – Slip first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn held in back for a tidy selvedge
• k2, p2 rib – Worked across the central body of the scarf between cable crossings

Pattern Structure

The scarf is worked flat on straight needles over 62 cast-on stitches. The pattern repeat is 20 rows, with cable crossings occurring on Row 9 (using C16F) and Row 19 (using C16B). Rows 1 through 8 and rows 10 through 18 establish and maintain the rib and border pattern between cable events. This 20-row repeat is worked continuously until the scarf reaches the full 72-inch length, ending on Row 8 before binding off.

Materials

• Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Lavender Blue (9756) – 2 skeins required. Each skein is 170 g / 6 oz and contains 288 m / 315 yards. Simply Soft is a smooth, aran weight ac