Saturday, March 21, 2009

Phase Shift



The first time I walked into a yarn shop and saw a reversible cable scarf, I was astounded. How could there be cabling on both sides without an odd side out? The concept is perfect for a scarf, because the cable is formed by a k1, p1 ribbing that looks like stockinette stitch on both sides while providing lofty warmth. The rib continues the entire scarf with a few cable rows to keep things interesting.

A phase is a mathematical term referring to the location of a wave or oscillation, such as sine or cosine. When multiple waves are phase shifted, they look like this scarf. I hope the location of your Phase Shift stays around your neck!



Finished Measurements:
4” x 72”

Materials:

Knitpicks Panache [40% Baby Alpaca, 20% cashmere, 20% silk, 20% extrafine merino; 68 yd/62m per 50g ball]; 5 balls, shown in Dusk DISCONTINUED

Other Recommended yarn:
Malabrigo Chunky [100% Merino; 104 yd/95m per 100g ball]; 3 skeins
Note: the more solid color varieties will more clearly reveal cabling

Reccomended Needle Size:
1 set US #10/6mm needles

Tapestry Needle
Cable or double pointed needle

Gauge:

14 sts/21 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Note: Gauge is not essential for this project.

Notes:
Front Cross (FC): slip 6 st to dpn and hold on front, (k1,p1) 3 times, then (k1, p1) 3 times from dpn
Back Cross (BC): slip 6 st to dpn and hold in back, (k1, p1) 3 times, then (k1, p1) 3 times from dpn


Pattern:
Cast on 30 st
Rows 1-4: (k1, p1) 15 times
Row 5: (k1, p1) 3 times, FC twice
Rows 6-14: (k1, p1) 15 times
Row 15: BC twice, (k1, p1) 3 times
Rows 16-24: (k1, p1) 15 times

Repeat Rows 5-24 until satisfied with the length of the scarf. End with a cable row, and work 4 more rows in k1, p1 rib. Cast off, weave in ends.

With much thanks to Barbara G. Walker and the Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns for the inspiration for this cable, which comes from the Loose Five-Rib Braid. Thanks also to Karen who both taught me how to knit and graciously tested this pattern.



All text and photography copyright A.S. 2009. For non-commercial use, only.

All questions and comments aschmeid@gmail.com

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like a fun pattern. Also, those are some pretty good pictures.

Keep up publishing these awesome patterns-
Kris

Unknown said...

Fun scarf. Thanks for the pattern! I have some wonderful alpaca/merino blend that is calling out to be knit up in these lovely cables. :)

suzan said...

I made this scarf out of Chunky Malabrigo. It is great. Thanks for the idea.

Anonymous said...

This is the most fantasticly named scarf I have ever seen! :D