Sting Scarf

A friend asked for a scarf that would “make me look like Sting.” He wanted something reminiscent of fisherman’s sweaters, in wool with lots of texture. He said he wanted a neutral color, like gray or tan.

Later, I asked him if he was sure he didn't want a scarf that would make him look like Prince, and he got all freaked out that I was making him something in bright purple, or that might look like some of the some of the socks I have made for myself.

This pattern is based on the “Jacob’s Ladder” motif in Vogue Knitting: Stitchionary 2, Cables. The pattern is easy to memorize and the scarf works up fast in the bulky yarn.

Materials:
4 balls Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds, in Steel Grey Suffolk (120 yds, 100g)
US 11 needles (gauge is not crucial, because this is a scarf)
cable needle

Abbreviations:
6stLC: slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle
6stRC: slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k3, k3 from cable needle

Seed Stitch:
*k1, p1* repeat to end of row.

Cable pattern:
Row 1 (RS): k1, p1, kl, p2, k6, p2, k1, p12, k1, p2, k6, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 2 (WS): k1, p1, k1, k2, p6, k2, p1, k12, p1, k2, p6, k2, k1, p1, k1
Row 3: k1, p1, kl, p2, 6stLC, p2, k14, p2, 6stRC, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 4: k1, p1, kl, k2, p6, k2, p14, k2, p6, k2, k1, p1, k1
Row 5: k1, p1, kl, p2, k6, p2, k1, p12, k1, p2, k6, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 6: k1, p1, kl, k2, p6, k2, p1, k12, p1, k2, p6, k2, k1, p1, k1
Row 7: k1, p1, kl, p2, k6, p2, k14, p2, k6, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 8: k1, p1, kl, k2, p6, k2, p14, k2, p6, k2, k1, p1, k1

To knit:
CO 40 sts.
Rows 1-4: work in seed stitch
Switch to cable pattern, and repeat 8 rows of cable pattern until scarf is nearing desired length.
Work 4 rows of seed stitch.
Bind off.

Now wrap scarf around neck and PRESTO! You have made a fortress of your heart.