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Knitting Daily Digest: Cable Knitting
Back and forth, over and under, knitting cables is so much fun. They can be simple or complex, but they always pack a punch, and there are so many ways to use them. All-over cable sweaters are classic and can become family heirlooms; cabled hats and scarves are winter essentials. Narrow cables can adorn a lightweight sweater perfect for warm-weather climates. There are cable patterns that suit all knitters!
Knitting cables is easy, too. It really is! I know some knitters shy away from the technique, thinking it's difficult, but cables are made by simply knitting stitches out of order. You can use a cable needle to help you work a cable, or you can cable without a cable needle. I prefer this method, myself.
Fall patterns are here, and with them come lots of gorgeous cable work. This week, I'll highlight this favorite technique, showing you some great products and techniques to whet your appetite for cable knitting.
Let's get cabling!
Cheers,
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| P.S. I'd love to hear your feedback on this new digest. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think, and which topics you would love to see here. Thanks, friends! |
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| Hats are often one of the first projects a knitter takes on (after a scarf or two!) and remain favorites with more experienced stitchers. There are many reasons why knitters continue to cast on for caps. They’re easy to knit on the go. They’re ideal small projects for trying out new knitting techniques, such as cables.
In the Timber Cabled Toque by Meghan Babin, cables upon cables flow from the brim to the crown. If you’re new to cable knitting, you’ll get plenty of practice with these meandering stitches. You'll get lots of experience with this hat, working both left and righ-crossing cables, plus knitting a type of cabling called traveling stitches. And you'll end up with a fab unisex hat! Channel your inner woodsman (or woman) in this handsome rustic topper.
The Timber Toque is featured in The Knitted Hat Book, which features projects from today's top designers. Order the book!
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Making Reversible Cables
Cabling, while beautiful, is typically only shown on one side of the fabric. This works for most applications, however, occasionally you want to see cabling on both sides.
The cable is only viewable in the knit stitches while the purl stitches hide the crossing. To combat this, the easiest fix is to work the cable in rib. This way knit stitches are on both sides of the fabric and we can see the crossing on both sides as well.
The cables on the outer rim of the Stevens Vest by Heather Zoppetti (from Unexpected Cables), shown at left, utilize these ribbed cables so when folded over at the collar, there is no wrong side. |
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| | In Classic to Creative Knit Cables from Kathy Zimmerman, learn a multitude of cable techniques from the "Queen of Cables."
Kathy covers cables A to Z, starting with an introduction to the rich variety of cable designs, types of cable needles, and how to read and interpret a cable stitch chart.
To build your confidence, Kathy includes a segment about avoiding cable-knitting errors and how to fix problems such as incorrectly crossed cables or cables with gaps on the sides. You'll also get the two patterns shown on the cover at left, so you can practice your cable knitting right away.
I highly recommend this tutorial! You'll learn so much and be super inspired to knit cables.
Download Classic to Creative Knit Cables today!
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The Joan of Arc sweater is a stunner. This totally unique pullover combines cables, mesh lace, and a sweeping hemline, making it a wonderfully fun knit and a statement garment to add to your wardrobe.
The deep cables run down the front and arms of the sweater and they're set off by pretty mesh lace columns and side sections. The Joan of Arc sweater has great drape, and with the fashionable high-low hemline, it's flattering on many body types.
I also love the deep ribbing on the cuffs, hem, and neckline. Designer Deborah Helmke has successfully put together a bunch of different elements to create a really gorgeous sweater.
Get your Joan of Arc pattern now!
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Knitting Brush Strokes
The fall 2016 issue of knitscene is filled with gorgeous designs and ideas, but I think my favorite are the four patterns by Beatrice Perron Dahlen, the featured designer for this issue. Of course the beautiful and striking black, white, and gray color schemes speak to me, but I also LOVE the designs themselves—the easy fit of the sweaters and the unique aspects of the hat and wrap. Read more!
Get the Fall 2016 issue of knitscene!
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Win a Stroll in the Bark Vest Kit from Sugar Bush!
July is “Sweet”stakes month with Sugar Bush Yarns! This week's prize is a kit for the very cool side-button Stroll in the Bark Vest from the Kickin' Back pattern book. Knit from Canoe, a lovely alpaca blend, this fashionable vest will be a fall and winter staple. The winner of the Stroll in the Bark Vest kit will get the pattern book and yarn in your choice of colors. What a great prize. Enter now!
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Knit Hats for Days
Knit hats are hot! More than just a great way to keep your noggin warm, they provide a dash of color and style and are the perfect way to top off an outfit. Hats are often one of the first projects a knitter takes on (after a scarf or two!) and remain favorites with more experienced stitchers. There are many reasons why knitters continue to cast on for caps. They’re easy to knit on the go. They’re ideal small projects for trying out new knitting techniques and patterns. And because they’re quick to make, don’t use a ton of yarn, and are easier to fit than a sweater, knit hats make great gifts. Read more!
Get the Knitted Hat Book! |
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Ask Kathleen!
| George Reed asks: "When a chart indicates 'no stitch,' what do I? I’ve found some patterns to be so confusing even thought I’ve been off-and-on knitting and crocheting for years (50+)."
Answer: A "no-stitch" box is just a placeholder; it does not represent an actual stitch. It simply makes room on the chart for an increase or a decrease in the next row/round. Think of it this way: if you decrease a stitch in Row 1, you have one less stitch in Row 2. Charts are boxy and linear, so in order to make the little boxes line up properly (and to keep the roadmap clear so you can visualize the pattern), that decreased stitch is grayed out in Row 2. (The reverse is also true—if you increase, you will have a new stitch in Row 2 that was not there in Row 1—so Row 1 may need a gray "not-there-yet-but-will-be-soon" placeholder box.) Just ignore the grayed-out no-stitch box.
Ask your question! |
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