How to Crochet a Cabled Staghorn

Cabling is an attractive effect in yarn work, but it is mostly done in knitting. Maybe in the past you haven't attempted the striking look that cable can give to a scarf or sweater. But your yarn craft of choice doesn't have to limit the types of work you can do. Crochet a cabled staghorn pattern if you have some experience with basic crochet stitches, including foundation double crochet and back and front post double crochet stitches.

Things You'll Need

• 1 skein of yarn, any weight
• 1 crochet hook, mid-sized, "H"

Instructions

Foundation Double Crochet

1. Make a slip stitch with the yarn and put it on the crochet hook. Chain three stitches.

2. Wrap the yarn over the crochet hook, then insert the hook back into the first stitch. Wrap the yarn over the hook. Pull the yarn through. You will have three stitches on your hook.

3. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the closest stitch on the hook. You will still have three stitches at this point.

4. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through all three stitches. You will now have just one stitch on your hook and will have completed one foundation double crochet stitch.

Back (and Front) Double Post Crochet

1. Wrap the yarn over your crochet hook and slip the hook behind the "post" of a double crochet stitch from the back (this is worked with an existing piece and not from the start of a piece of work).

2. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through (behind) the post. You will now have three stitches on your hook.

3. Wrap the yarn over your hook and pull it through two of the three stitches.

4. Wrap the yarn over your hook and pull it through the remaining two stitches, leaving you with one stitch.

5. Work a front post double crochet by following this exact procedure except when you slip your hook behind the post of a double crochet stitch, you will do it from the front instead of the back of the work.

Cable Staghorn Pattern

1. Work 20 foundation double chain stitches by following the pattern.

2. Turn the work over. Chain one then double crochet in the first stitch. Finish the row by crocheting three double crochet stitches, 12 foundation double crochet stitches and then four double crochet.

3. Turn the work over. Chain one then double crochet in the first stitch then double crochet the next three stitches. Skip the next three stitches, but work three back post double crochet in the following three stitches. Go back and work three front post double crochet in the three stitches that were skipped. This will create the cable effect. Finish the row by skipping the next three stitches but working three front post double crochet in the following three stitches, then going back and working three back post double crochet in the three stitches that were skipped. Work four double crochet to the end of the row.

4. Turn the work over. Chain one then double crochet in the first stitch. Finish the row by crocheting three double crochet stitches, 12 foundation double crochet stitches and then four double crochet.

5. Turn the work over. Chain one then double crochet in the first stitch. Finish the row by crocheting three double crochet stitches, 12 foundation double crochet stitches and then four double crochet.

6. Turn the work over. Chain one then double crochet in the first stitch then double crochet the next three stitches. Skip the next three stitches, but work three front post double crochet in the following three stitches. Go back and work three back post double crochet in the three stitches that were skipped. Skip the next three stitches, but work three back post double crochet in the following three stitches, then going back and working three front post double crochet in the three stitches that were skipped. Work four double crochet to the end of the row.

7. Turn the work over. Chain one then double crochet in the first stitch then double crochet the next three stitches. Skip the next three stitches, but work three back post double crochet in the following three stitches. Go back and work three front post double crochet in the three stitches that were skipped. This will create the cable effect. Finish the row by skipping the next three stitches but working three front post double crochet in the following three stitches, then going back and working three back post double crochet in the three stitches that were skipped. Work four double crochet to the end of the row. This completes and establishes the pattern for the cable which can be repeated as many times as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Use this pattern with any weight of yarn; it is particularly attractive with heavier, chunkier yarn.

• Adapt this pattern onto any existing pattern you might want to incorporate it with. It works best with multiples of 20.