Directions for a Cable Stitch
New knitters are often intimidated by cable stitches, but they shouldn't be. The complex patterns, created by twisting stitches, are not hard to do. To complete a cable stitch, you simply knit a series of stitches out of order. Where you hold the reserved stitches determines the direction of the twist.
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Instructions
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Left-Leaning Cable
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1
Work to point where the cable starts. In traditional Aran sweater patterns, cables are often preceded, and followed, by purl stitches.
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2
Slip the first stitches onto a cable needle. The number depends on the pattern, but generally you slip half the number of stitches. For example, to make a four stitch cable, you slip two stitches.
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3
Move the cable needle to the front of the work--let it hang there. Knit the next stitches on the left-hand needle.
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4
Knit the stitches on the cable needle. Don't twist the cable needle--you knit the stitches in the same order as you slipped them.
Right-Leaning Cable
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5
Work to the point where the cable starts. Slip the first stitches onto the cable needle.
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6
Move the cable needle to the back of the work.
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7
Knit the rest of the cable stitches on the left-hand needle.
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8
Knit the stitches on the cable needle, making sure not to twist the it.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You may find it easier to rearrange the stitches, and then knitting them.
It take a little practice to get the tension correct when knitting cable stitches; don't give up.
References
- Photo Credit snowy hat image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
