Seaman's Scarf

Has anyone made this scarf. I have done cables before but I can't understand the direction.

It says to Slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front K2, *P2, slip next 6 sstitches of left needle,use left needle to pick u the 2 far right stitches leavng the other four stitches in the front, use the right needle to place the middle 2 stitches on the left needle, finally use the right needle to place the far left 2 sttiches onto the left needle, k6* repeat between astericks ending with P2, K3.

Can anyone explain it in a simpler manner?

Thanks, Mickey

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 18, 2011 at 4:18pm

I can see why you're confused! I haven't made it, but let's see if I can help. I think it's straightforward until you get to "slip 6 sts off." You might want to put these on a cable needle. I would first sl 2sts to right needle, then take the next 4 sts and put them on the cable needle. Hold in front Then sl those 2 sts you sl'd to the right needle back to the left. Then sl the next 2 sts from the cable needle and then sl them onto the left needle. You will have 4 sts making a cable on the left needle. Then sl the last 2 sts off the cable needle, and then sl them onto the left needle. You should have a 6-st cable on the left needle. K the 6 sts. Then go back to the * and repeat. I think they are trying to help you avoid using a cable needle. Some people like to knit that way. I think cable needles are my friend, although I use dpns as cable needles, and stick the left end of the dpn into the knitting to hold it while I'm knitting off the left needle. To each his/her own! I hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by Mickey on January 18, 2011 at 4:23pm

Thanks I'll try it. I have done cables before the directions seemed confusing.

Permalink Reply by Jenny on January 18, 2011 at 4:33pm

Hiya Mickey,

What Peggy said above is good advice...from what it sounds like, they are going for the "cables without cable needle" approach here, but that can be tricky and if not careful, stitches can drop pretty easily. Like Peggy said, I think the best approach is to use a cable needle to set up your stitches for the cable, and then knit across. Also, it seems like you are doing more then just a simple cable where two lines cross, but in this case, it seems like three are crossing, which is a bit trickier.

You can also practice on a swatch until you feel comfortable with this, that way you won't feel as anxious about messing up on your project.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Mickey on January 18, 2011 at 5:59pm

I do have a cable holder and am using that. I'm practicing Peggy's instructions it seems easier that the pattern directions but not sure I've mastered it yet. I've done an afghan with cables and I didn't have a problem.

Thanks,

Mickey

Permalink Reply by Mickey on January 18, 2011 at 6:00pm

I think I have it but still practicing. Your instructions are much better than the pattern.

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 19, 2011 at 7:31am

That's good news! Much if knitting is fairly easy to do, but hard to write out! Keep at it, though. It wilk get easier!

Permalink Reply by Mickey on January 19, 2011 at 7:36am

I can knit but have trouble with the way they word things in patterns. My friend has done a lot of cable stitches so I'm going to show her your instructions and let her see if I'm doing it correctly. I don't end up with the right amount of stitches on the row yet so I think I'm doing something wrong.

Thanks much for your help.

Mickey

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 19, 2011 at 7:48am

Are you over or under? It's easy with cables to accidentally knit two sts tog or do a yarn over and then knit it on the next row or rnd. In good light, you should be able to see two knit together (or purled together). An accidental yarn over will leave a little hole. You should also look for dropped sts, which will leave a loop sticking out somewhere, sometimes with a "ladder" above it. Those are usually easy to fix with a crochet hook from the knit side, unless it goes into the cable, but a fix is still possible without ripping out your work.

Permalink Reply by Mickey on January 19, 2011 at 8:08am

I'm not sure what I did I ripped out the row. I will try it again at lunchtime since I'm at work.

Let me tell you in my words what I've done - I put the 6 stitches on a cable needle then I took 2 stitches from the right needle onto the left needle and knitted them the I took the 6 stitches from the cable needle and knitted them and then I'm lost.

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 19, 2011 at 8:17am

I will try to rewrite it when I get back from getting my hair cut. Depending on your time zone, it should be in time for lunch. I think switching everything around and then knitting the sts is confusing. I will try to do it the old fashioned way, since you have done cables before, and that seems to be what you are doing. Later....

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 19, 2011 at 8:18am

Yikes! You're on the east coast! I'm in Utah! You may already be close to lunch time. I'll work as fast as I can.

Permalink Reply by Mickey on January 19, 2011 at 8:45am

Don't go crazy I'm having my friend look at it at lunchtime so maybe she can help me.

Mickey