The Stack Scarf in Valley Yarns Taconic - 875 - Downloadable PDF

The Stack Scarf – Pattern Summary: Dramatic Asymmetrical Cable Scarf in Valley Yarns Taconic

The Stack is a bold, large-scale knitted scarf designed by Julie Turjoman and published as a downloadable PDF pattern, pattern number 875. Named after Los Angeles's iconic curving four-level freeway interchange, this scarf captures that sweeping, architectural drama in textile form through a long, asymmetrical cable motif. It is worked flat to a generous finished size of 72 inches long by 17 inches wide, making it a truly statement-making accessory for the dedicated cable knitter.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single-size, oversized knitted scarf with a striking asymmetrical cable running along its length. The design is inspired by the visual energy of a multi-level freeway interchange, and that sense of sweeping, interlocking movement is translated directly into the cable structure. At 72 inches in length and 17 inches in width, The Stack is a dramatic, wearable piece that functions as both a cozy accessory and a showcase of advanced cable knitting skill.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: The scarf is knitted back and forth on straight or circular needles rather than in the round, allowing the cable patterning to be managed row by row with clear right-side and wrong-side distinction.
• Cable knitting: The central design element is a Braided Cable worked over a multiple of 20 stitches and 24 rows. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches on a cable needle, then knitting them out of order to produce the characteristic twisted, rope-like or braided appearance. The asymmetrical placement of this cable gives the scarf its distinctive, architectural silhouette.
• Rib stitch: Ribbing is used as a foundational stitch pattern throughout the scarf, providing elasticity and a clean, structured fabric that complements the cable motif. Gauge is measured in rib stitch, blocked, at 16 stitches and 25 rows to 4 inches.
• Blocking: Blocking is referenced in the gauge specification, indicating that finishing the scarf with wet or steam blocking is an important step to open up the stitches and achieve the stated finished measurements.

Stitches Used

• Braided Cable stitch – a repeating cable panel worked over a multiple of 20 stitches and a 24-row repeat, creating the signature interlocking, asymmetrical cable design
• Rib stitch – used as the background and structural stitch pattern throughout the scarf body
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) – a standard right-leaning decrease referenced in the abbreviations, used for shaping as needed
• Bind off and cast on – standard techniques for beginning and finishing the work

Materials: Yarn

The pattern calls for 6 skeins of Valley Yarns Taconic, a luxurious chunky-weight yarn composed of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere. Each skein weighs 50 grams and contains 125 yards, giving a total yardage requirement of approximately 750 yards. The colorway used in the sample is Bright Blue. Valley Yarns Taconic is specifically noted in the pattern for its exceptional elasticity and stitch definition, qualities that make it particularly well-suited to cable knitting, as the stitches pop clearly and the fabric springs back beautifully. The merino and cashmere blend also delivers warmth, softness, and a tweedy, richly textured hand that elevates the finished scarf into a truly luxurious accessory.

Materials: Needles and Notions

• US size 8 (5.00 mm) needles – or the size needed to achieve the stated gauge of 16 stitches and 25 rows to 4 inches in rib stitch, blocked
• Cable needle (CN) – essential for executing the braided cable pattern; stitches are slipped to the cable needle and held to the front or back while other stitches are worked
• Stitch markers – used to delineate sections of the pattern and keep the cable repeat clearly defined