How to Knit Cable Stitches

Knitting cables is a wonderful way to add interest and design to your knitting projects. Cables look more complicated than they actually are to create. Once you understand the basic concept of how to knit cable stitches, you will be able to create wonderful designs in your own knitted work.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting needles
• Yarn
• Cable needle

Instructions

1. Cast on the number of stitches required for your pattern.

2. Knit according to the pattern directions until you come to the part of the pattern where you will begin the cable.

3. Remove the number of stitches indicated in your pattern and place them on your cable needle.

4. Hold the cable needle in front of or in back of your work as indicated in your pattern. Pay attention to what the pattern says because it does matter whether you hold the needle in front of or in back of your work.

5. Continue knitting stitches from your left hand knitting needle until your pattern directs you to return to the cable needle.

6. Knit the stitches off of the cable needle. Then continue knitting from the left hand needle as instructed by your pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful that your cable stitches do not slip off of the cable needle. You may need to experiment with different types of cable needles until you find one that you are comfortable using. Some people prefer to use scrap yarn as a cable needle.

• Usually cable stitches are only knitted every few rows, so pay attention to your pattern.