How to Knit a Moss Stitch Cable

The moss stitch cable is a very striking and masculine design bordered by a background of reverse stockinette stitch. It requires a knowledge of how to do knit and purl stitches, as well as how to twist and cable stitches to the front and back to create a beautiful cabled design with a moss (or seed) stitch between the twists. Instructions for doing some stitches are included in this article; however, a basic knowledge of how to cable would be useful. For those who love cabling, or who simply love a challenge, this is a great stitch.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Cable needle

Instructions

1. Choose the yarn you want to work with and needles that match the weight of your yarn. (See the yarn packaging for needle size suggestions.)

2. Begin the work. This particular design is a panel of 13 stitches knit on a reverse stockinette stitch background. Cast on 13 stitches plus the number of stitches you want on both sides of the design. For example, if you want a panel of 33 stitches total, then you would have 10 stitches on either side of your 13-stitch cable pattern.

3. Create the cabled pattern as follows:Row 1: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 3, cable 3 back, purl 1, cable 3 front, purl 3, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 2: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 3, purl 3, knit 1, purl 3, knit 3, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 3: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 2, cable 3 back, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, cable 3 front, purl 2, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 4: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 2, purl 3, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 3, knit 2, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 5: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 1, cable 3 back, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, cable 3 front, purl 1, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 6: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 1, purl 3, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 3, knit 1, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 7: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, cable 3 back, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, cable 3 front, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 8: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 3, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 3, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 9: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 2, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 2, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 10: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 2, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 2, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 11: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, twist 3 front, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1 purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, twist 3 back, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 12: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 1, purl 2, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 1, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 13: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 1, twist 3 front, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, twist 3 back, purl 1, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 14: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 3, purl 3, knit 1, purl 3, knit 3, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 15: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 2, twist 3 front, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, twist 3 back, purl 2, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 16: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 3, purl 2, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 3, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 17: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 3, twist 3 front, purl 1, twist 3 back, purl 3, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 18: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 4, purl 2, knit 1, purl 2, knit 4, continue knitting to the end of the row.Row 19: Purl until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, purl 4, cable 5 back, purl 4, continue purling to the end of the row.Row 20: Knit until you reach the 13 stitches that make up the center, knit 4, purl 5, knit 4, continue knitting to the end of the row.

4. Repeat these 20 rows until your piece reaches the desired length.

5. Bind off, preferably using the basic bind-off.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow these basic instructions for some of the unusual stitches used in this pattern:

• Cable 3 back: Slip next stitch onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next two stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitch from cable needle.

• Cable 3 front: Slip next two stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next stitch from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

• Cable 5 back: Slip next three stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next two stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

• Twist 3 back: Slip next stitch onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next stitch from left-hand needle, then purl stitch from cable needle

• Twist 3 front: Slip next stitch onto cable needle and hold at front of work, purl next stitch from left-hand needle, then knit stitch from cable needle