Reversible Cable Circle Scarf

Even though winter is (with any luck!) a few months off, now is the time to start thinking about winter knits so we have time to enjoy wearing them in the cold months. So, put down the cotton, linen, and bamboo and pick up the cozy wool.
These are instructions to make a fairly chunky Reversible Cable Circle Scarf in Alfa. One of the unfortunate things about putting cables on a scarf is that it can give you a right and a wrong side which can be difficult to control while wearing as the scarf moves around. With this scarf, there is no right or wrong side. Feel free to use this as a literal pattern or simply as a guideline to inspire your own creations. Since gauge is not so important in scarves, use any yarn you like, just adjust the needle size and ensure the length is correct. The frequency of the cables is really up to you. I chose to do a simple repeat of three sets of cables close together followed by a long plain stretch - as many or as few as you like!
Yarn: 4 - 50 g balls of Alfa, sample is colour # 4853
Needles: 8mm
C2F: Sl2 sts onto cable needle, hold in front; K2 from left-hand needle, knit 2 from cable needle
Using a provisional cast on (see May 2011 in Stitch Archives), CO 28 stitches. I used quite a heavy piece of scrap yarn because Alfa is very heavy.

Establish ribbing as follows:
Base Row 1: P2, K2, *P4, K4* repeat from * to * twice, P4, K2, P2
Base Row 2: K2, P2, *K4, P4* repeat from * to * twice, K4, P2, K2
Repeat these two rows 3 more times. Repeat Base Row 1 once more.
**Cable Row 1: K2, P2, *C2F, P4* repeat from * to * twice, C2F, P2, K2
Cable Row 2: P2, K2, *P4, C2F* repeat from * to * twice, P4, K2, P2

Starting with Base Row 2, work Base Row 2 and Base Row 1 twice.
Cable Row 1
Cable Row 2
Base Row 2 and Base Row 1, twice
Cable Row 1
Cable Row 2
Row 2 and Row 1, 8 times
Repeat from ** until scarf is close to desired length. Finish with three sets of cables, followed by 3 repeats of Base Rows 2 and 1.
Undo the crochet chain at the cast on edge to reveal the live stitches. Place stitches onto spare needle. Graft ends together to create a circle (see May 2011 in Stitch Archives), taking care to only twist if on purpose.

Undo the crochet chain at the cast on edge to reveal the live stitches. Place stitches onto spare needle. Graft ends together to create a circle (see May 2011 in Stitch Archives), taking care to only twist if on purpose.

The sample is 122 cm after blocking or enough to just fit around the neck twice. Thanks to the beautiful model, Julia Selig.