A few weeks ago a friend of mine came to me with a well known knitting magazine which pictured a cable pattern swatch. Her problem was that what she was knitting did not match up with the pattern and also that in some rows the number of stitches were not correct.
I worked on the pattern and after some initial confusion I found that in some rows the writer had forgotten to add in the background stitches. Also the picture in the magazine was for Cable B while the pattern was for Cable A! If you like a challenge try Cable A – it is quite difficult. Cable B is much simpler but also gives a very attractive design.
CABLE A (Interlacing Cable)
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
cn = cable needle
cr3f = slip next 2 sts onto cn and hold at front of work, p1, then k2 from cn
cr3b = slip next st onto cn and hold at back of work, k2, then p1 from cn
c4b = slip next 2 sts onto cn and hold at back of work, k2, then knit 2 from cn
c4f = slip next 2 sts onto cn and hold at front of work, k2, then knit 2 from cn
The cable itself uses 13 stitches. I have used 5 stitches on either side to give a border. If used in a garment the border of the cable would usually have only two or three stitches
Pattern:
Cast on 23 sts
Row 1: (Wrong side) k5, p2, k2, p2, k1, p2, k2, p2, k5
Row 2: p5, k2, p2, slip next 3 sts onto cn and hold at back of work, k2, slip p st from cn back onto LH needle and p it, k2 from cn, p2, k2, p5
Row 3: as row 1
Row 4: p5, cr3f, cr3b, p1, cr3f, cr3b, p5
Row 5: k6, p4, k3, p4, k6
Row 6: p6, c4b, p3, c4f, p6
Row 7: as Row 5
Row 8: p5, cr3b, cr3f, p1, cr3b, cr3f, p5
Row 9: as row 1
Row 10: p5, k2, p2, slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k2, slip p st from cable needle onto LH needle and p it, k2 from cable needle, p2, k2, p5
Rows 11-16: as rows 3-8
These 16 rows form the pattern. Repeat as necessary.
CABLE B (Horseshoe Cable)
The cable itself uses 12 stitches. I have used 5 stitches on either side to give a border. If used in a garment the border of the cable would usually have only two or three stitches
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
cn = cable needle
c6b = slip next 3 sts onto cn and hold at back of work, k3, then knit 3 from cn
c6f = slip next 3 sts onto cn and hold at front of work, k3, then knit 3 from cn
Pattern:
Cast on 22 sts
Row 1: (Right side) p5, k12, p5
Row 2: k5, p12, k5
Row 3 and 4: repeat rows 1 and 2
Row 5: p5, c6b, c6f, p5
Row 6: as row 2
Row 7: as Row 1
Row 8: as row 2
These 8 rows form the pattern. Repeat as necessary.
