To use this knitting pattern, start by getting your three Minkin cakes ready. Follow the intarsia method as described, changing the colors in the same spot each row. This will make it easy for you to keep track of the work. Don't be afraid to let the natural color shifts of the cakes create a beautiful, unique look. As for maintenance, once your scarf is finished, gently hand - wash it in cool water with a mild detergent. Lay it flat to dry to keep its shape. If you're new to intarsia, take your time and enjoy the process. You'll end up with a wonderful scarf that's 12.5' wide and 104' long (not including fringe).