Knit a Cable

Knitting a cable looks complex, but it is actually quite simple once you know what to do. This wikiHow will teach you how to knit one.

10 Second Summary

1. Cast on 18 stitches.
2. Alternate between purling 6 and knitting 6 for the next 4 rows.
3. Start your 5th row by purling 6.
4. Transfer the first 3 knit stitches onto a cable needle.
5. Move the cable needle to the front of your work.
6. Knit the next 3 stitches on your knitting needle.
7. Knit the stitches on the cable needle.
8. Purl the last 6 stitches. Turn your work.

Steps

Casting On and Getting Started

1. Cast on 18 stitches onto the left needle. Make sure that you use a needle that matches the gauge of your yarn. You can find the gauge on the back of the yarn's label.
2. Use the following pattern for the next four rows. At the end of each row, flip your knitting work, so that the needle with all the stitches is in your left hand, and the empty needle is in your right hand.
   • Row 1: purl six stitches, knit six stitches, and then purl six stitches again.
   • Row 2: knit six stitches, purl six stitches, and knit six stitches.
   • Row 3: purl six stitches, knit six stitches, and then purl six stitches.
   • Row 4: knit six stitches, purl six stitches, and knit six stitches.

Knitting the Cable Row

1. Purl the first six stitches. After you have finished the cast on and the initial four rows, you are ready to start your cable row. Start by purling the first six stitches. Be sure to give a slight tug after each one. This will help take some of the strain off of the cable stitches, and prevent any holes, tension issues, etc.
2. Slip the next three knit stitches off the knitting needle and onto a cable needle. Try to get a cable needle in the same size as your knitting needle, otherwise, your gauge might not turn out right.
   • If you don't have a cable needle, you can use a double-pointed knitting needle, or even a pencil or pen. Keep in mind that this may cause some gauging issues.
3. Move the cable needle to the front or back of your work. Where you place the cable needle will determine which way the cable will twist:
   • If you want your cable to twist to the left, leave the cable needle in front of your work. This is known as the front cable.
   • If you want your cable twist to the right, place cable needle behind your knitting kneels; this is known as the back cable.
4. Knit the next three stitches off of your knitting needle. Leave those first three stitches on the cable needle. You will knit them in the next step; this will create the "twist."
5. Knit the three stitches off of the cable needle. Avoid pulling too tightly. Instead, try to keep your cable needle as close to your project as possible. This will make it easier to knit later on.
6. Purl the last six stitches, and flip your work. Put the cable needle off to the side, and purl the final stitches off of your knitting needle. Once you have finished, flip your work, so that the needle with all the stitches is in your left hand, and the empty needle is in your right hand.

Continuing the Pattern

1. Use the following pattern for the next three rows. You will not be using the cable during these three rows. This will create the curved part of the cable, and is known as the "working rows"
   • Row 1: knit six stitches, purl six stitches, and knit six stitches.
   • Row 2: purl six stitches, knit six stitches, and then purl six stitches.
   • Row 3: knit six stitches, purl six stitches, and knit six stitches.
2. Repeat a cable row. Purl six stitches and insert the cable into the next three stitches. Knit three stitches off of the knitting needle, then knit the stitches off of the cable. Finish off with six more purl stitches.
3. Repeat the three "working rows." After each set of three working rows, do a cable row. Remember to place the cable needle on the same side each time (front or back).
4. Finished.

Tips

• Try to get a cable needle in the same size as your knitting needles. This will make transferring them back much easier. It will also make your gauge more even.
• Cable needles are also known as "cable stitch holders." You can also use a double-pointed needle instead.
• There are many different types of cable needles. Some have indentations, while others have hooks. Experiment, and use one that feels most comfortable for you.
• Give the purled stitches a slight tug, but keep the knit stitches loose. This will help relieve any tension, which may result in holes and gaps.
• If you are a beginner, you might find basic, plain yarn easier to work with than chunky, chenille, or other fancy yarn.
• In a pattern, you will see abbreviations like C6F and C6B. The C6 refers to how many stitches you should cable. The F and B refer to where the cable needle should be placed: front or back.
• The pattern described in this article would be written:
  • Row 1: P6, K6, P6
  • Row 2: K6, P6, K6
  • Row 3: P6, K6, P6
  • Row 4: K6, P6, K6
  • Row 5: P6, C6F, P6
  • Row 6: K6, P6, K6
  • Row 7: P6, K6, P6
  • Row 8: K6, P6, K6
  • Row 9: P6, C6F, P6
  • Repeat from Row2
• You can also do this pattern with fewer/more stitches. Try to keep the numbers even, however. For example, you can do P4, K4, P4 or P8, K8, P8.

Warnings

• Don't let your stitches slip off your cable needle while you're knitting.
• Cable patterns end up narrower than basic stockinette patterns with the same number of stitches. Take this into account if you are adding a cable to a pattern that does not have a cable.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting needles
• Yarn
• Cable Needle

Related Articles

• Knit the Knit Stitch
• Knit the Purl Stitch
• Knit the Garter Stitch
• Knit a Cherry Pie
• Knit a Scarf
• Knit Buttonholes

Sources and Citations

See also

• Knit the Moss or Seed Stitch
• Yarn Over
• Knit the Mistake Rib Pattern
• Knit the Knit Stitch
• Knit Decreases
• Change Colors in Knitting
• Purl Stitch on a Round Knitting Loom
• Do Kitchener Stitch or Grafting
• Knit Stockinette Stitch
• Slip Slip Knit

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What links here

• Knit the Purl Stitch
• Cast Off
• Choose Knitting Needles
• Knit the Knit Stitch