What’s a good cable pattern for a beginner to start with, like just the basic “twist”? I’ve seen the Irish Hiking Scarf, which I think is very nice, would that be a good one? Does the back side look as nice as the front?
When do cables get complicated enough to need charts? Charts are something I haven’t tackled…yet.
I think the Irish Hiking Scarf would be good for a beginner at cables. The back is not as fabulous as the front, but I think it looks just fine. The back certainly does not look “bad” at all.
kimmie
The Irish Hiking scarf is an excellent first cable project. Unless a pattern says it’s a reversible cable–which are more complicated, the back is different from the front. Not especially ugly, but not cable-y.
Any pattern can be put on a chart. I prefer charts. It’s much easier to look at a group of four boxes with a line through them than to have to read for every cable row–slip two stitches on a cable needle and hold to front of work, knit two, knit two from cable needle.
I’m doing the Good Ole Cable scarf and am enjoying it. I went with that one instead of the Irish Hiking scarf cause it only has one cable instead of three. :oops: I’m a chicken!
I’ll second, or third, the Irish Hiking Scarf. It was my first cable project, and it was a snap. You’ll be hooked on cables when you’re finished. 
My first cabling project was a head-band… turned out great, and I have loved to cable ever since. The Hiking Scarf looks even easier, and I am sure that if this one doesn’t turn you into a yarn junkie, nothing will.
Be careful around here, the yarn silently prowls for you by day and night.
KNIT ON !! 
I loved doing the Irish scarf now I moved on to a different cable scarf I LOVE IT
I thought I would share that
Jenifer
Another vote for the Irish Hiking scarf! I’m working on it now, and I’m really enjoying it. It is not hard at all, and it looks beautiful :D.
I just started knitting in November and I am trying to make each project more complex so I add a new knitting skill each project. Like the beginner of this thread, this will be my first cabling project.
I am currently finishing my first 2 color scarf from Denise Bliss’ Teach Yourself to Knit (I substituted the yarn colors to learn how to join yarn and I found out half way into it that the best way to keep a scarf pretty on both sides is to do the Russian Join Technique - using acrylic yarn). I just need to add fringe and finish a matching ear warmer knitted flat (started ear warmer last night). Then my Dad asked for a scarf. Planning a beautiful lavendar version (Dad’s fave color) of the Irish Hiking Scarf. I’ll be in the stores this week selecting yarn and buying my cable needle!
Good luck fellow newbies.
Be careful, knitting is like a drug!
The Irish Hiking scarf was my first cable project, too…I didnt like the looks of the back of it, so I knit it in the round, double-sided! Got LOTS of cable practice! If you choose to knit it double-sided, I would switch to a DK-wt yarn…mine came out a little bulkier than I would have preferred.
You are gonna FLIP when you see how EASY they are!! :cheering:
Kelly! That is beautiful! I love the reversible aspect of that scarf!
I would vote for the chunky cable purse at knitpicks.com. There is a free pattern there. It looks like it would be faster than a scarf. And who doesn’t need an extra purse? I want to try it, too, but it’s so hard to pick a color.
Sorry I couldn’t post a link because I can’t get our address bar to show up. And my computer programmer husband if off getting our flat tire fixed.
Good luck!
april