purlJam

# The Highland Twin-Cable Scarf

**Description**
An intermediate crochet project featuring two distinct columns of rope cables set against a solid background. This pattern utilizes raised post stitches to create a classic 3D texture resembling traditional knitted Aran cables.

**Difficulty Level**
Intermediate (Requires knowledge of post stitches and crossing stitches).

**Yarn Weight**
Worsted / Aran (10 ply).

**Specifications for this Yarn Weight**
*   **Recommended Yarn:** Approx. 400g (approx 680-750m) of Aran weight wool or acrylic blend.
*   **Hook Size:** 5.5 mm (UK 5 / US I-9). *Note: Using a slightly larger hook than standard helps prevent the cables from becoming too stiff.*

**Finished Measurements**
*   **Width:** 20 cm (8 in)
*   **Length:** 150 cm (60 in) or desired length.

**Tension (Gauge)**
13 stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over half treble (htr) fabric.

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)**
*   **ch:** chain
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **htr:** half treble crochet (US half double crochet) – *Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.*
*   **FPdtr:** Front Post double treble (US Front Post treble) – *Yarn over twice, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.*
*   **BPhtr:** Back Post half treble (US Back Post half double) – *Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around post, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.*
*   **C6F (Cable 6 Front):** Skip next 3 sts. Work 1 FPdtr around each of the next 3 sts. Working *in front* of the stitches just made, work 1 FPdtr around each of the 3 skipped sts (working from right to left).
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side
*   **[]:** Stitches contained in brackets are verification counts.

**Pattern Notes**
1.  **Turning Chains:** The ch-2 at the beginning of a row does **not** count as a stitch unless stated otherwise. Work the first stitch of the row into the very first stitch base.
2.  **Cable Mechanics:** The cables are worked on Right Side (RS) rows only. The Wrong Side (WS) rows are worked in Back Post half trebles (BPhtr) or standard htr to maintain the height.
3.  **Fabric Structure:** Because cables pull fabric inwards, the scarf may look narrow at first but will relax with blocking.

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### Instructions

**Foundation**
Chain 28.

**Row 1 (Set Up - WS):**
Htr in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
`[Math: 26 htr total]`

**Row 2 (RS - Post Setup):**
Ch 2, htr in first 4 sts.
*Prepare cable base:* Work 1 FPdtr around each of the next 6 sts.
Htr in next 6 sts (center panel).
*Prepare cable base:* Work 1 FPdtr around each of the next 6 sts.
Htr in last 4 sts. Turn.
`[Math: 4 htr + 6 FPdtr + 6 htr + 6 FPdtr + 4 htr = 26 sts]`

**Row 3 (WS):**
Ch 2, htr in first 4 sts.
*Work cable back:* BPhtr around next 6 sts.
Htr in next 6 sts.
*Work cable back:* BPhtr around next 6 sts.
Htr in last 4 sts. Turn.
`[Math: 4 htr + 6 BPhtr + 6 htr + 6 BPhtr + 4 htr = 26 sts]`

**Row 4 (RS - The Cross):**
Ch 2, htr in first 4 sts.
*Cable Cross:* Perform **C6F** over the next 6 sts.
Htr in next 6 sts.
*Cable Cross:* Perform **C6F** over the next 6 sts.
Htr in last 4 sts. Turn.
`[Math: 4 htr + 6 crossed FPdtr + 6 htr + 6 crossed FPdtr + 4 htr = 26 sts]`

**Row 5 (WS):**
Repeat Row 3.
(Ensure you work the BPhtr around the twisted posts from the previous row in the correct order as they appear on the WS).
`[Math: 26 sts]`

**Row 6 (RS - Elongate):**
Ch 2, htr in first 4 sts.
Work 1 FPdtr around each of the next 6 sts (do not cross).
Htr in next 6 sts.
Work 1 FPdtr around each of the next 6 sts (do not cross).
Htr in last 4 sts. Turn.
`[Math: 26 sts]`

**Row 7 (WS):**
Repeat Row 3.
`[Math: 26 sts]`

**Repeating Section:**
Repeat Rows 4–7 until the scarf measures approximately 148 cm (58 in), ending on a Row 7 (WS).

**Final Row (RS):**
Ch 2, htr in first 4 sts.
Htr in top of next 6 sts (ignoring the post, work into the top loops to flatten the edge).
Htr in next 6 sts.
Htr in top of next 6 sts.
Htr in last 4 sts.
`[Math: 26 htr]`

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### Finishing

1.  **Fasten off:** Cut yarn leaving a 15 cm tail.
2.  **Weave in ends:** Secure all tails using a yarn needle.
3.  **Blocking:** This is crucial for cable patterns. Dampen the scarf, pin it out to the measurement of 20 cm width on a blocking mat, and allow to dry completely. This will open up the cables and flatten the edges.
4.  **Optional Fringe:** Cut 30 cm lengths of yarn. Group them in bundles of 3 strands. Fold in half and knot through the stitches along the short edges of the scarf.