Here’s a scarf pattern along with both cable chart and “pithy” instructions.  It is intended to echo the design elements of the Pinwheel cap but should go reasonably well with most other things.  A minor warning - this is cable intensive and there are cable-crossing on every right side row.  Being able to cable without a needle (see tutorial on the sidebar) is very useful and saves a lot if time.

Open Cable Scarf

Materials:

Worsted Weight yarn
One pair US size 7 needles

Terms:

C4B Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then k2 from the cable needle.
C4F Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then K2 from cable needle.
FC Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, P1, then k2 from cable needle.
BC Slip next st to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then P1 from cable needle.

For chart readers, simply work three knit stitches at each edge of the scarf and between the cable panels.


Cast on 39 sts

Row 1:   *K3, P1, Sl1 wyib, P1, K2, P2, C4B, P2, Sl1 wyib, P1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Row 2:  *K4, P1, K2, P4, K2, P2, K1, P1, K1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Row 3:  *K3, P1, Sl1 wyib, P1, FC, BC, FC, P1, Sl1 wyib, P1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Row 4:  *K4, P1, K1, P2, K2, P4, K2, P1, K1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Row 5:  *K3, P1, Sl1 wyib, P2, C4F, P2, K2, P1, Sl1 wyib, P1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Row 6:  *K4, P1, K1, P2, K2, P4, K2, P1, K1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Row 7:  *K3, P1, Sl1 wyib,P1, BC, FC, BC, P1, Sl1 wyib, P1*; repeat from * to *, ens K3.

Row 8:  *K4, P1, K2, P4, K2, P2, K1, P1, K1*; repeat from * to *; end K3.

Repeat rows 1-8 for desired length.  Fringe or trim as desired.

The width of the scarf can be easily adapted by adding or subtracting garter stitches or, if much greater width is desired, another cable panel + 3 garter stitches could be added.