Hooded Scarf with Pockets

Instructions

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1. 1Left half: beginningCast on 46 sts onto 5.5 mm needles. Knit 6 rows of garter stitch; this edge will be the pocket opening. Layout: 3 garter sts (face edge), p2, 8-st cable, p2, 28 sts seed stitch, 3 garter sts. (46 sts)
2. 2Left half: pattern (10 rows)Row 1 (RS): k3, p2, C8B, p2, *k1, p1* 14 times, k3. (46 sts) Row 2 (WS): k3, *p1, k1* 14 times, k2, p8, k2, k3. (46 sts) Row 3: k3, p2, k8, p2, *k1, p1* 14 times, k3. Row 4: as Row 2. Rows 5-10: work Rows 3 and 4 three more times. The cable is crossed on Row 1 only.
3. 3Left half: bodyWork Rows 1-10 a total of 19 times (190 rows; about 88 cm including the garter edge). After Row 10 of the last repeat, slip the stitches onto a holder without binding off. Cut the yarn leaving 100 cm for joining.
4. 4Right half (mirrored)Cast on 46 sts and knit 6 rows of garter stitch. On the right half the cable sits at the end of the row and twists the other way: Row 1 (RS): k3, *k1, p1* 14 times, p2, C8F, p2, k3. (46 sts) Row 2 (WS): k3, k2, p8, k2, *p1, k1* 14 times, k3. Row 3: k3, *k1, p1* 14 times, p2, k8, p2, k3. Rows 4-10: continue as Rows 2 and 3, working Row 10 as Row 2. Work Rows 1-10 a total of 19 times and leave the stitches on the needle.
5. 5Joining at the topHold the two halves with right sides facing each other, needle tips pointing the same way and the cables on the same edge. Put the left half's stitches back on a needle. Three-needle bind-off: with the extra needle, knit the first front and first back stitch together, do the same with the next pair and pass the first stitch over; continue across all 46 sts. The seam ridge will sit inside the hood.
6. 6Hood seamFold the joined strip in half at the top seam so the cabled (face) edges lie on top of each other. Seam the opposite edge (the garter edge beside the seed stitch) with mattress stitch, starting at the top seam and working 33 cm down. This seam forms the back of the hood; the face edge stays open.
7. 7PocketsAt each end, fold 14 cm up onto the right side and pin. Sew both side edges of the pocket with the yarn needle, matching the garter edge stitches. The garter cast-on edge becomes the pocket opening.
8. 8Finishing and blockingWeave all ends into the seams. Soak the scarf in lukewarm water, remove excess water, lay it flat and ease it to 26 cm wide without flattening the cables. Stuffing a folded towel inside the hood while it dries keeps its shape.