Seeing as it is 2 and a bit months til Christmas (I know, I'm sorry to have to remind you all), but I feel it's time to sort all the handknitted xmas pressies out. I really want to make a pair of Fetching for my Stepmum and my Dad who are both market traders who make jewellery whilst on the market, so I figure they are practical as it leaves their fingers free. This presents me with 2 problems.

The first one is that I personally think that the cables lend a very feminine feel to the gloves. If I wanted to make it without the cables for a mans size hand, do you think I would be ok with still casting on the same amount of stitches that the pattern calls for and still knitting for the same length but just in plain stocking stitch?

The second dilemma I have is that if I made them for my stepmum, I would also want to make a matching scarf. Havig never tried cables before Fetching I have no idea how to do this. I would like a couple of inches of cables (the exact same style and size that are on the bottom of Fetching) at each end of the scarf with just plain stocking stitch inbetween for the majority of the scarf. Do you think I would be able to just repeat the cable round that is on the Fetching pattern over and over again to get the kind of look that I want?

I would appreciate any experience cablers help!

Oh my god Gempud, we're abit too simillar over this 'feching obsession'

I'm in the middle of a pair for my mums bday at the end of the month and i was also thinking believe it or not that it would be nice to knit some kind of matching scarf for xmas and was thinking about having some cable at each end and the rest maybe in the k4, p1 (unless it would curl in abit) or stocking stitch. how strange is that!? :o

I have also been planning them for peoples xmas pressies!

Back to the cables, i was going to just follow the pattern for fetching (to some extent) and probably carry it on to include a couple more cable rows

I would suggest using ribbing (maybe K2P2, depending on how it fits the stitch number) for the cuff of Fetching if it isn't going to be cabled. Maybe do the ribbing for the same number of rows, or perhaps experiment with row number until you get a cuff size you like.

As for the scarf, I'm not too sure. I know LisaH has done a fair bit of cabling though, so she might be able to advise you.

I have a pattern for a cabled scarf somewhere; I'll see if I can find the link. I can't remember its name off the top of my head though. You might be able to adapt it so that the cables finish after a few inches.

That is strange....I think maybe it's because Fetching is such a nice easy pattern that looks gorgeous. Hhmmm...I think I changed my mind now and want K4, P1 for the rest of the scarf instead of stocking stitch. In fact, the Fetching for my Dad I think will be K4, P1 aswell.

I'm not sure whether K4, P1 would curl in for the scarf. I'm guessing stocking stitch would as it always curls on everything, especially scarfs - it irritates me!

I would suggest using ribbing (maybe K2P2, depending on how it fits the stitch number) for the cuff of Fetching if it isn't going to be cabled. Maybe do the ribbing for the same number of rows, or perhaps experiment with row number until you get a cuff size you like.

As for the scarf, I'm not too sure. I know LisaH has done a fair bit of cabling though, so she might be able to advise you.

I have a pattern for a cabled scarf somewhere; I'll see if I can find the link. I can't remember its name off the top of my head though. You might be able to adapt it so that the cables finish after a few inches.

Hhhmmm, yes ribbing is a good idea for the cuff. I didn;t think of that. It would probably be too loose without it I suppose. I'm guessing it would cost a small fortune to do a complete scarf in Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran so I'm probably going to substitute for something else.

Here you go: Irish Hiking Scarf (http://www.helloyarn.com/irishhikingscarf.htm). I've knitted this, and it's really easy :) .

Here you go: Irish Hiking Scarf (http://www.helloyarn.com/irishhikingscarf.htm). I've knitted this, and it's really easy :) .

Oooooh thanks Hecate...that looks gorgeous! That's definitely being used for the scarf. Thanks so much!

Oooooh thanks Hecate...that looks gorgeous! That's definitely being used for the scarf. Thanks so much!
You're welcome :) . I used some Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran which was on offer at Get Knitted at the time. It knits up really quickly too.

Well by the looks of it the Cashmerino aran can be used for it and it won't need too much - probably about 4 balls of it - unless I'm being naive and calculating it wrong. The pattern says it uses about 350 yards on US 8 needles. The cashmerino aran uses US 8 needles and has 90 yards to each 50g ball, so if I get 4 balls I should be ok for the scarf. Does this sound right?

That is a nice scarf, i might still have a go at my own creation though, be nice to create something from scratch. I know debbie bliss cashmerino aran may be abit pricey :(