Cables: An easy way to make your knits look super fancy.
I promise that knitting cables sounds much scarier than it actually is. At their core, a cable is created by knitting stitches out of order. This is how you create the twists and turns you see on cabled motifs. Each intricate jumper you have seen with the overlapping ropes of cables is created by knitting different numbers of stitches out of order in different symmetrical or asymmetrical sequences.
Cables can be used in all kinds of patterns. I use a simple cable in my Beach Day Socks pattern. One of my favourite cables is in the Augusta cardigan by Kephren Pritchett which has a fantastic layered section down the back of the cardigan.
Want to give it a try? This cable knitting guide will cover:
- The tools you need for cable knitting
- An explainer of the charts and instructions you will see in patterns
- What the difference is between cabling forwards and backwards
- A step-by-step (with pictures) guide to knitting your first cable
The Tools for Cable Knitting
All you need to start cabling is a cable needle. These are short needles with a point at each end, much like a small double-pointed needle. Cable needles come in different diameters and you should choose one that is the same or slightly smaller than the needle size you are knitting your project with.
Some cable needles are curved or have a groove in them. This is to help your stitches stay on the needle and be less likely to slide off. I prefer these to the straight cable needles.
And if you are in a pinch, a double pointed needle can work just as well as a cable needle!
Cable Knitting Charts
In knitting patterns, cables are often charted as well as having written instructions. There is no universal way that cables are represented on chart and in pattern, so you may find several variations of symbols and instructions. It is important to read the pattern abbreviations section carefully!
An example of an abbreviation is C4B. This means the cable worked over 4 stitches and that we are making the cable by holding the stitches at the back of our work. This can also be written as 2/2RC to indicate the cable leans to the right. On a chart, this might be represented as:
Cables are either described as forward or backwards. This tells you whether you are holding your stitches in front or behind your work. Depending on which of these you pick, your cable will twist a different way – left or right. Don’t worry too much, as the pattern will tell you whether you should be cabling forward (with stitches at the front) or backwards (with stitches at the back).
Knitting a Cable: Step-by-step
In this tutorial we will knit a small swatch using the C4B cable shown above, as well as a C4F cable. Our cable instructions are:
C4B is worked by slipping 2 sts purlwise onto a cable needle.
Hold the cable needle at the back of your work. Knit 2 sts from the left hand needle. Then knit the 2 sts from the cable needle.
C4F is worked by slipping 2 sts purlwise onto a cable needle.
Hold the cable needle at the front of your work. Knit 2 sts from the left hand needle. Then knit the 2 sts from the cable needle.
Your swatch will be 20 stitches wide, with 4 stitches either side of the cables and 4 stitches in between them.
Before you start: Make sure you know how to cast-on, knit and purl
You will need: A pair of needles, yarn, and a cable needle the same diameter (or smaller) than you knitting needles
Step 1: Start by casting on 20 stitches. Work a few rows in stocking stitch. Your next row should be a knit row.
Step 2: Knit 4 stitches. We will now get ready to do our C4B stitch.
Step 3: Slip 2 stitches purlwise from your left hand needle onto your cable needle.
Step 4: Move your cable needle behind your work, making sure to not knock the stitches off the cable needle.
Step 5: Now knit 2 stitches from the left hand needle. Your cable needle will still have 2 stitches on it.
Step 6: Knit the 2 stitches from your cable needle. You can knit them directly off the cable needle, or slip them back onto your left hand needle to then knit them.
That is our C4B stitch complete!
Step 7: Knit 4 stitches. We will now try the C4F stitch.
Step 8: Slip 2 stitches purlwise from your left hand needle onto your cable needle.
Step 9: Move your cable in front of your work.
Step 10: Now knit 2 stitches from the left hand needle. Your cable needle will still have 2 stitches on it.
Step 11: Knit the 2 stitches from your cable needle. You can knit them directly off the cable needle, or slip them back onto your left hand needle to then knit them.
That is our C2F stitch complete!
Step 12: Knit to the end of the row, 4 stitches. Work 3 rows in stocking stitch. Your next row should be a knit row.
To see your cables more clearly, repeat steps 2 to 12 as many times as you like.
Well done on knitting your first cable! This pattern creates two twisted columns.
You can play around with different numbers of stitches that are crossed over each other, and how many rows you work in between. The combinations are endless and you can create some complex motifs with this simple concept.