Not all yarn is created equal. There are times that the individual will need a specific yarn to complete the job and create the ideal knit item. One such time is when creating a cable knit scarf. If the yarn is too soft, the scarf can easily deform out of the shape that was created for it. If the yarn is too fuzzy, it can be impossible to tell if the scarf is cable knit. If the yarn is too stiff, it can be difficult to work with. If the yarn is too scratchy, it can dry out the skin of both the creator and the wearer. Using the right yarn is essential to creating the perfect cable knit scarf.
When thinking about the right yarn needed to make the cable knit scarf, one must think about the function of the scarf. The scarf is designed, not as a fashion element, but rather as a functional piece of clothing. Cable knit scarves designed to assist the person with keeping warm in the cold weather. This is done by providing insulation to the bottom portion of the face and the whole of the neck from the wind and adverse weather conditions. Not only does the scarf function as a physical barrier, but it also traps air and keeps a person warm with that air.
Knowing that the cable knit scarf has a function can help to make it easier for a person to visualize the yarn that is needed to create this scarf. The yarn will need to be a thicker gauge yarn but not a fluffy or fuzzy yarn. This type of yarn will not be able to trap the air and keep it warm against a person’s skin. In addition, the fuzzier and fluffier the yarn is, the more likely it is to absorb water. This tendency for fluffy and fuzzy yarn to absorb water can cause a lot of problems in cold winters because the scarf can cause frostbite and hypothermia if the wind kicks up, freezing the water trapped in the scarf.