Knit This Cozy Horseshoe Cable Muffler — Step-by-Step Pattern with i‑Cord Edging

Stay warm and stylish with this Knitted Horseshoe Cable Muffler. Worked in Skacel Alpaca Seta (an alpaca-silk-nylon blend), the muffler features a centered horseshoe cable panel and built-in i-cord edging for a neat, finished look. The pattern below includes yarn and needle requirements, gauge, and full stitch-by-stitch instructions to make a 37" muffler (work longer if you prefer a scarf).

Knitted Horseshoe Cable Muffler in Skacel Alpaca Seta, showing the horseshoe cable motif and i-cord edging.

Yarn: Skacel Alpaca Seta (75% Baby Alpaca, 18% Silk, 7% Nylon; 137 yards [125 meters]/50 grams); #11 Lemon Grass Twist - 2 skeins

Needles: One set of straight needles in size US 6, two double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 6, and a size US 8 or larger needle for your provisional cast on

Notions: Tapestry needle, cable needle (cn), stitch holder

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches

Let's get started!

Using a provisional cast on and your larger needles, cast on 38 stitches. Then switch to your size 6 needles and proceed to the pattern. Terminology used below:

cable front (cf): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn

cable back (cb): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in back, k2, k2 from cn

As you work, you'll slip three stitches at the beginning and end of each right-side row to form an i-cord edging. Pull the yarn snug behind the slipped stitches to create the i-cord effect.

Rows 1 & 3 (right side): sl3 wyib, k10, p2, k8, p2, k10, sl3 wyib

Rows 2, 4, 6, & 8: p13, k2, p8, k2, p13

Row 5: sl3 wyib, k10, p2, cb, cf, p2, k10, sl3 wyib

Row 7: sl3 wyib, k10, p2, k8, p2, k10, sl3 wyib

Knit rows 1–8 repeatedly until the piece measures approximately 37" (or your desired length) and you've just finished row 8 of the pattern. At this point, slip the first 19 stitches so you can transfer the last 19 stitches to a stitch holder to work later. Return the original 19 stitches to your needle and work the following decrease rows to shape the ends for the i-cords:

Decrease Row 1 (right side): ssk, k6, slip 2 together knitwise - k1 - p2sso, k6, k2tog

Decrease Row 2: purl

Decrease Row 3: ssk, k4, slip 2 together knitwise - k1 - p2sso, k4, k2tog

Decrease Row 4: purl

Decrease Row 5: ssk, k2, slip 2 together knitwise - k1 - p2sso, k2, k2tog

Decrease Row 6: purl

Decrease Row 7: ssk, slip 2 together knitwise - k1 - p2sso, k2tog

When 3 stitches remain on your needle, transfer them to a dpn and work 12" of i-cord. Bind off loosely. Transfer the remaining 19 stitches from the other end of the muffler to your needles and repeat the decreases and i-cord for that side. Finally, return to your provisional cast-on and work the provisional 38 stitches in the same manner (divide into two sets, reduce each, then make the i-cords).

Finish by tucking in ends and blocking the muffler to shape and even the stitches.