~ How To Projects ~

How to Knit Cables for Beginners

Learn how to knit cables through our detailed step-by-step instructions. We also offer a free cable pillow project for you to knit as you practice learning how to cable.

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How To Projects ~ Knitting ~ How to Knit Cables for Beginners

Knitting Instructions: How to Knit Cables

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How to Knit Cables: Front of Work

(This page shows how to hold in "front" of work. To see instructions for a cable that must be held in "back" of work, click here) Our instructions are shown using a method that allows you to use a spare regular needle or cable needle. Blue marks highlight the "cable needle" in each photo shot.


First, stitch across the pattern until you come to the series of stitches that are to be cabled. (Most patterns have an abbreviation for the cable to be made (ie..C3F), you can read the definition of the abbreviation on your pattern to learn whether to hold the cable needle in front or in back and how many stitches to slip onto your cable needle.)	Step 1. Drop your right needle and pick up your cable needle (or spare needle). At the front of your work, slide the tip of your cable needle from left to right along the left needle and through the number of stitches your pattern indicates should be slipped onto the cable needle.

Step 2. Slide the stitches completely off of the left needle so that they are only on the cable needle. (Hint: In the next step you will be dropping the cable needle and taking the right needle again; to keep the cable needle from sliding out of the stitches, rest the other end of the cable needle against yourself.)	Step 3. Drop the cable needle out of your right hand and let it rest in the front. Pick up the right needle again, along with the working yarn and proceed with the next stitches as your pattern indicates. Usually this will be knitting the same number of stitches as was slipped onto the cable needle but check your pattern instructions.

Step 4. Now drop the left needle and pick up the cable needle with your left hand. (Let the left hand needle hang in the back.)	Step 5. Proceed to work all the stitches on your cable needle just as you would if the cable needle was your regular left hand needle. Now you can set your cable needle aside. Pick up the left needle again with your left hand and continue your pattern.

To see instructions for a cable that must be held in "back" of work, click here)

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