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Cable knitting refers to a style of knitting where you cross multiple layers of yarn over each other to create a fancy weaved texture. Though the end result looks quite complex, the process is very simple once you know what to do.
Steps
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Cast on 18 stitches onto the left needle. Make sure that you use a needle that matches the gauge of your yarn. You can find the gauge on the back of the yarn's label.
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Use the following pattern for the next four rows. At the end of each row, flip your knitting work, so that the needle with all the stitches is in your left hand, and the empty needle is in your right hand.
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Purl the first six stitches. After you have finished the cast on and the initial four rows, you are ready to start your cable row. Start by purling the first six stitches. Be sure to give a slight tug after each one. This will help take some of the strain off of the cable stitches, and prevent any holes, tension issues, etc. [1] X Research source
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Slip the next three knit stitches off the knitting needle and onto a cable needle. Try to get a cable needle in the same size as your knitting needle, otherwise, your gauge might not turn out right.
- If you don't have a cable needle, you can use a double-pointed knitting needle, but using a cable needle is easier. [2]
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Expert Source
Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
- If you don't have a cable needle, you can use a double-pointed knitting needle, but using a cable needle is easier. [2]
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Expert Source
Jen Webber
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Move the cable needle to the front or back of your work. You'll create the cable by creating extra stitches, then bringing them to either the front or back of the work. That will twist the stitches around each other. [3] X Expert Source Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist Expert Interview. 4 August 2020. Where you place the cable needle will determine which way the cable will twist: [4] X Research source- If you want your cable to twist to the left, leave the cable needle in front of your work. This is known as the front cable.
- If you want your cable twist to the right, place cable needle behind your knitting kneels; this is known as the back cable.
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Knit the next three stitches off of your knitting needle. Leave those first three stitches on the cable needle. You will knit them in the next step; this will create the "twist."
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Knit the three stitches off of the cable needle. Avoid pulling too tightly. Instead, try to keep your cable needle as close to your project as possible. This will make it easier to knit later on. [5] X Research source
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Purl the last six stitches, and flip your work. Put the cable needle off to the side, and purl the final stitches off of your knitting needle. Once you have finished, flip your work, so that the needle with all the stitches is in your left hand, and the empty needle is in your right hand.
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Use the following pattern for the next three rows. You will not be using the cable during these three rows. This will create the curved part of the cable, and is known as the "working rows"
- Row 1: knit six stitches, purl six stitches, and knit six stitches.
- Row 2: purl six stitches, knit six stitches, and then purl six stitches.
- Row 3: knit six stitches, purl six stitches, and knit six stitches.
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Repeat a cable row. Purl six stitches and insert the cable into the next three stitches. Knit three stitches off of the knitting needle, then knit the stitches off of the cable. Finish off with six more purl stitches.
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Repeat the three "working rows." After each set of three working rows, do a cable row. Remember to place the cable needle on the same side each time (front or back).
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Finished.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs cable-knitting hard to do?Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.Cable-knitting looks impressive, but it's actually relatively easy. Basically what you're doing is as you knit along, you stop and you're taking some stitches and bringing them either to the front or to the back. Then, you just hold them there and knit a couple more stitches, which twists the stitches around each other. It's easiest if you use a tool called a cable needle, but you can use a double-pointed needle if you don't have one.
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QuestionHow do I start a traveling cable that doesn't cross over itself and will be in the shape of an "S"?Community AnswerAlternate which way you take the stitches out on the worked row. The first time, put the three stitches in front of your work, on the second put them behind. This constant switching between a left cable and a right cable will give you the "S" shape you've described.
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QuestionThe pattern says purl 3 cable, 4 back cable, 4 front. Please explain.Community AnswerIt seems to be saying that you purl 3, followed by a cable 4 stitches, by slipping stitches #1 and #2 to a cable needle, hold 2 stitches on the cable needle to the BACK, knit the 3rd/4th stitches and then 1st/2nd stitches off the cable needle and then proceed to cable the next 4 stitches, by slipping stitches #1 and #2 to a cable needle, hold 2 stitches on the cable needle to the FRONT, knit the 3rd/4th stitches and then 1st/2nd stitches off the cable needle. Cable knitting instructions are often confusing, especially if the writer doesn't use 'standard' knitting terminology.
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Tips
- Cable needles are also known as "cable stitch holders." You can also use a double-pointed needle instead. [6] X Research sourceThanks
- There are many different types of cable needles. Some have indentations, while others have hooks. Experiment, and use one that feels most comfortable for you. [7] X Research sourceThanks
- Try to get a cable needle in the same size as your knitting needles. This will make transferring them back much easier. It will also make your gauge more even.Thanks
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Warnings
- Don't let your stitches slip off your cable needle while you're knitting.Thanks
- Cable patterns end up narrower than basic stockinette patterns with the same number of stitches. Take this into account if you are adding a cable to a pattern that does not have a cable. [8] X Research sourceThanks
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Things You'll Need
- Knitting needles
- Yarn
- Cable Needle
References
- ↑ http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/FEATwin07TT.html
- ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?faqKey=90
- ↑ http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/cable-knitting-for-beginners/
- ↑ http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/FEATwin07TT.html
- ↑ http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/01/cable-knitting-for-beginners/
- ↑ http://howdidyoumakethis.com/five-cable-knits/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To knit a cable, start by casting 18 stitches on your left needle. Then, alternate between purling 6 stitches and knitting 6 stitches for the next 4 rows. Next, start your fifth row by purling 6 stitches, and then transfer the first 3 knit stitches from your regular needle to a cable needle. Once you've done that, move the cable needle to the front or back of your work, and knit the next 3 stitches on your knitting needle followed by 3 more on the cable needle. Finally, purl the last 6 and turn your work. To learn how to choose the right needle for knitting a cable, keep reading!
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- "Inasmuch as I am left handed knitter, it is very difficult to find any how to videos or written instructions to use unless I put a mirror on the left side of my computer screen and watch through the mirror. It's unfortunate that left handed knitters don't have any resources to go to that write for the way a left-handed knitter knits. I get I have to study what the directions and then cross out the "r" for right needle and the "l" for left needle. The videos do make it faster and easier. " ..." more
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"Inasmuch as I am left handed knitter, it is very difficult to find any how to videos or written instructions to use unless I put a mirror on the left side of my computer screen and watch through the mirror. It's unfortunate that left handed knitters don't have any resources to go to that write for the way a left-handed knitter knits. I get I have to study what the directions and then cross out the "r" for right needle and the "l" for left needle. The videos do make it faster and easier. "
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"I am not a very experienced knitter; however, I am expecting my first great-grandbaby girl. I sure would like to knit a blanket and/or sweater. I have 3 months so please keep those lessons coming. I found a better way to enhance my knitting methods."
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"I have been knitting for a couple of years, but had never knitted cables. The step-by-step instructions, along with the visuals, are wonderfully helpful. I used to be afraid of cables, but armed with this information, I'm confident!"
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"Cable stitch always looked so daunting, but this explained the technique so simply that I feel inspired to try it. Even my old knitting for beginners books didn't explain it this well. Thank you!"
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"This helped me, as it has been many years since I knitted anything. This information was just what I was looking for to remind me how to knit with cable. Thank you so much."
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