Gabriel: a cabled scarf pattern

This scarf was made as a gift for my friend Gabe, Christmas 2005. I chose a braided/knot pattern because to me, it symbolizes friendship. Plus, I adore cables. The yarn choice is important too: I picked Aurora 8 because it's soft and very wearable (superwash is a plus!), and the smooth-spun yarn makes the cables stand out nicely. I really enjoyed working with this stuff. Feel free to substitute any touchable worsted weight yarn, preferably a smooth-spun wool or a wool-blend.

I consider the pattern to be suitable for intermediate knitters... you must know how to knit, purl, and work cables. If you think you're not ready, try it anyway. Most cables are much easier than they look! Essentially, the construction follows this simple pattern: the main Saxon braid cable panel is framed by mirror image 2x2 cable twists and 2 sts of garter selvedge. Please note that none of these cables are an original design, but the layout is my own. Provided here are longhand directions (for those of you who hate charts). Charted directions are forthcoming, as I can find a few moments here and there to pull it together.

This pattern is for personal use only. I have chosen to make it available to the general public because I'm sure you enjoy free things as much as I do! Eventually, I'll try to get this into a convenient PDF format. If you find a mistake, please let me know!!!

Materials:
Yarn: 4 balls of Aurora 8, by Karabella, color 201 (50g/90m per ball)
Needles: size 8
Extras: Row counter, cable needle, stitch markers
Gauge: not terribly important, it's a scarf!
Dimensions: approx. 5.5" x 60"

Abbreviations:
BO = Bind off
C4F = 2x2 Cable, Left Twist
C4B = 2x2 Cable, Right Twist
PC4F = Purl Cable, Left Twist
PC4B = Purl Cable, Right Twist
CN = cable needle
CO = cast on
K = knit
P = purl
RS = right side
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side

Cable Patterns

2x2 Cable, Left Twist (C4F)
Place 2 sts on CN and hold in front, K2, K2 from CN

2x2 Cable, Right Twist (C4B)
Place 2 sts on CN and hold in back, K2, K2 from CN

Purl Cable, Left Twist (PC4F)
Place 2 sts on CN and hold in front, P2, K2 from CN

Purl Cable, Right Twist (PC4B)
Place 2 sts on CN and hold in back, K2, P2 from CN

Longhand Directions:

*CO 40 sts

*Work set-up rows, starting on WS:
Row A) K2, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K2
Row B) K6, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K6
Row C) repeat row A

*Begin 16-row pattern repeats, starting on RS:
Row 1) K2, C4F, P4, C4B, P4, C4B, P4, C4B, P4, C4B, K2
Row 2) K2, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K2
Row 3) K6, P2, PC4B, PC4F, PC4B, PC4F, PC4B, PC4F, P2, K6
Row 4) K2, P4, K2, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K2, P4, K2
Row 5) K2, C4F, P2, K2, P4, C4F, P4, C4F, P4, K2, P2, C4B, K2
Row 6) K2, P4, K2, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K2, P4, K2
Row 7) K6, P2, K2, P2, PC4B, PC4F, PC4B, PC4F, P2, K2, P2, K6
Row 8) K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P2, K4, P4, K4, P2, K2, P2, K2, P4, K2
Row 9) K2, C4F, P2, K2, P2, K2, P4, C4B, P4, K2, P2, K2, P2, C4B, K2
Row 10) K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P2, K4, P4, K4, P2, K2, P2, K2, P4, K2
Row 11) K6, P2, K2, P2, PC4F, PC4B, PC4F, PC4B, P2, K2, P2, K6
Row 12) K2, P4, K2, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K2, P4, K2
Row 13) K2, C4F, P2, K2, P4, C4F, P4, C4F, P4, K2, P2, C4B, K2
Row 14) K2, P4, K2, P2, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P2, K2, P4, K2
Row 15) K6, P2, PC4F, PC4B, PC4F, PC4B, PC4F, PC4B, P2, K6
Row 16) K2, C4F, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, C4B, K2

*Ending rows
Row C) K2, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K2
Row B) K6, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K6

*BO all sts and admire your work!

Charted Directions:
*CO 40 sts

*Work set-up rows A-C

*Work rows 1-16 from chart until scarf is almost as long as desired or until almost out of yarn.

[Chart in progress, please be patient!]

*Ending rows: work Row 1 from chart and then work the set-up rows C and B.

*BO all sts and admire your work!