Rowan Gable Scarf Knitting Pattern

Rowan Gable Knitted Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Gable is an intermediate-level knitted scarf designed by Martin Storey. This accessory measures 17.5 cm (7 inches) wide and 225 cm (88½ inches) long, making it a substantial wrap-style scarf suitable for everyday wear. The scarf features a sophisticated cable and texture pattern that creates visual interest throughout the length of the finished piece.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern requires 8 x 50gm balls of Rowan Denim Revive yarn. The project shown is photographed in the colorway Pistachio 219. Two needle sizes are required for this project: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed edges and 3¾mm (US 5) needles for the main patterned body. Additionally, a cable needle is needed to work the cable stitches that form the decorative pattern.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Gable scarf employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create its distinctive appearance:

• Twisted rib edging: The scarf begins and ends with a twisted rib pattern worked over 10 rows using 3¼mm needles. This edging is created using knit through the back loop (K1 tbl) and purl through the back loop (P1 tbl) stitches, which creates a firmer, more refined edge than standard ribbing.
• Cable stitches: The main pattern features four distinct cable crossing techniques. C6B (cable 6 back) involves slipping 3 stitches onto a cable needle, holding at the back of work, knitting 3 stitches, then knitting the 3 stitches from the cable needle. C6F (cable 6 front) uses the same principle but holds the cable needle at the front. Cr5R (cross 5 right) and Cr5L (cross 5 left) are cable crosses that combine knit and purl stitches, creating textured diagonal lines within the pattern.
• Chart-based patterning: The scarf is worked from a 36-row repeat pattern chart. This repeat is worked 18 times in total through the body of the scarf, then rows 1 to 6 of the chart are repeated again to complete the pattern before the final ribbed edge. This creates a continuous, balanced design.
• Stockinette and reverse stockinette: The chart incorporates standard knit and purl stitches on the right and wrong sides, creating areas of smooth stockinette fabric interspersed with the cable and cross-stitch elements.

Construction and Finishing

The scarf is constructed in a straightforward linear fashion. After casting on 62 stitches, the twisted rib edge is worked, followed by the transition to larger needles and the main patterned section. The pattern is repeated to achieve the desired length of approximately 221.5 cm before returning to the smaller needles for the final ribbed edge and casting off in rib. The finished piece is pressed according to standard finishing instructions to set the stitches and enhance the cable definition.

Skill Level and Tension

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable working with cable techniques. The tension is 35 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over the patterned fabric using 3¾mm needles. Achieving correct tension is important for obtaining the finished dimensions and ensuring the cables sit properly within the design.