How to Knit the Two-Stitch Twist Cable

Create interesting textures with knitted cables.

A two-stitch twist cable is a 2x2 ribbing technique. It is a simple method used to create cable stitches in your knit pieces. The cables are fairly easy to use and let you work your stitches without using a cable needle. This method will produce attractive left-slanting cables in your knit piece.

Things You'll Need

• Cabled sweater pattern
• 1 skein of yarn
• 1 set of straight knitting needles or circular needles

Instructions

1. Cast on your first row with a very loose tension. You will not be able to twist your cables properly with very tight stitches and they might cause your knitted work to "pull" unevenly in certain places.

2. Knit your stitches according to the pattern. Follow the cabled pattern up to the first two stitches that are to be twisted. Bring the tip of your right needle to the back of the work on the left needle, then slip the needle between the two stitches you plan to twist.

3. Slide the tip of your left needle through the second stitch as if to knit. Now loop the yarn around the needle and pull the new stitch through the loop. Do not pull the old stitch off the left needle as you would when you normally knit.

4. Work the first stitch. Loop the yarn around and pull the stitch through and onto the right needle. Pull both of the old stitches off the left needle immediately afterward. Your cable should slant to the left now.

5. Repeat the above steps each time you need to work a twist throughout the pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• When knitting in the round, cast on a multiple of four stitches to produce even cables throughout your work.

• Use a slightly elastic yarn if this is your first time creating cables. The cables can get real tight if there is not enough "give" in the fiber of the yarn.

References

• "Knitting Pattern for Dummies"; Kristi Porter; 2011
• "Continuous Cables"; Melissa Leapman; 2008

Resources

• Craft Yarn Council: Knit 911