How to Knit an Irish Cable Throw

Add cables to a knitted throw for warmth and beauty.

The Irish cable pattern gives texture, depth and added warmth to a throw. The twisted yarn in the pattern is called "Irish" because it is a traditional design in Aran and fisherman’s knit sweaters. Two items to help you make Irish cables are a special knitting needle, called a cable needle, shaped like a U but with one arm longer than the other and a row counter attached to one of the knitting needles.

Things You'll Need

• 6 skeins of worsted yarn, 224 yards each
• Knitting needles, US size 8
• 1 cable needle
• Row counter fitting US size 8
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

1. Cast on 183 stitches. Create a border by knitting all stitches until throw is 2 inches long.

2. Add the row counter to one knitting needle. Set it to Row 1. Knit 10 stitches. Begin the cable pattern as follows: knit 6, purl 3, knit 1, purl 3, knit 6, knit 5. Repeat the cable pattern six more times. End the row with knit 5.

3. Set the row counter to Row 2. Knit 10. Continue the cable pattern as follows: purl 6, knit 3, purl 1, knit 3, purl 6, knit 5. Repeat the pattern six more times. End the row with knit 5.

4. Set the row counter to Row 3. Knit 10. Continue the cable pattern as follows: slip 3 stitches to the cable needle and hold it in front of the work, knit 3, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle, purl 3, knit 1, purl 3, slip 3 stitches to the cable needle and hold it in front of the work, knit 3, knit 3 from the cable needle, knit 5. Repeat the pattern six more times. End the row with knit 5.

5. Set the row counter to Row 4. Knit 10. Follow the cable pattern instructions from Row 2 (see Step 3). Knit 5.

6. Set the row counter to Row 5. Knit 10. Follow the cable pattern instructions from Row 1 (see Step 2). Knit 5.

7. Set the row counter to Row 6. Knit 10. Follow the cable pattern instructions from Row 2 (see Step 3). Knit 5.

8. Repeat these six rows for 50 inches, or whatever length you desire. End with Row 6.

9. Knit all the rows until you have 2 inches of border. Bind off stitches. Knot and cut the yarn. Weave the tail of the yarn into the throw with a tapestry needle.