How to Cable Knit
Cable knitting is the technique of holding a number of stitches on a cable needle while you knit that same number of stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the stitches from the cable needle. This technique is not done on every row, but rather on every fifth, seventh or ninth row (called a "turning row"), depending on how close together you want the "twists" to show. If you desire a left-twisting cable, then hold the cable needle in front of your work while you knit from the left-hand needle; if you wish a right-twisting cable, then hold the cable needle behind your work while you knit from the left-hand needle.
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Instructions
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1
Cast on 16 stitches to the knitting needle.
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2
Purl four stitches, knit eight stitches and purl four stitches in the first row.
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3
Knit four stitches, purl eight stitches and knit four stitches for the second row.
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4
Purl four stitches, knit eight stitches and purl four stitches in the third row. This is identical to row one.
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5
Knit four stitches, purl eight stitches and knit four stitches in the fourth row. This repeats the second row.
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6
Purl four stitches, slip four stitches to the cable needle and hold in front. Knit four stitches from the left-hand needle, knit four stitches from the cable needle and purl the last four stitches. This is the turning row.
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7
Knit four stitches, purl eight stitches and knit four stitches. This is the same as the second row.
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8
Repeat Steps 2-7, and you will see the cable running through the center of the practice piece.
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Tips & Warnings
In a pattern, you may see an abbreviation such as "C5B." The "C" means that these stitches are cable stitches. The number "5" explains the number of stitches that will be held on the cable needle and the "B" shows that you should hold the cable needle and its stitches behind your work. An "F" would indicate the front of the work.
Be careful not to pull the stitches too tightly on the needles.
