Confusing Cable Instructions

#1

I’m knitting a cardigan with a cable motif on the front sides and sleeves, however, the pattern get a bit confusing at one point, and I need the help of some more experience knitters!

The patten has me work a rib patter and then things get confusing where I would have start the cable and then the cable twist

The 8th row reads like this: P5, K1, increase 1 stitch in the next st, P3, k3tog (leaving one center st between cable ribs), P3, increase 1 stitch in the next st, K1, P3

  • When it tells you to increase a stitch in the next stitch how am I supposed to know if it’s a knit or a purl stitch. Also when I ktog3 it left a pretty big hole in my knitting.

Thanks!:slight_smile:

#2

Whether the increase is a k or p depends on the next round? Is that new stitch supposed to be part of a right-side stockinette area - if so, knit an increase. Another way to tell would be to look at the next round. If it says:
P5, k3, p3 etc - then you should increase in knit. If it says:
p6, k1, p5 - then you should increase in pearl

The gaps on each side of your k3 will be less noticeable after you block your sweater. Ensure that you keep your knitting tight in that area, too. Cables are a bit “gap prone” though so a wee bit is to be expecting.

#3

If you like the look of it, you can use a S2KP2 instead of the knit 3 tog. It gives you a centered decrease of 2 sts.

#4

Thank you so much! Knitting 3 tog really wasn’t giving me a good look. I’m going to try this decrease! Thanks so much :slight_smile:

#5

The next row starts the cable twist, it’s K5, p3, slip next 4 sts to crochet hook and hold at back of work, k next 3 sts of cable row, slip center st off hooked end of crochet hook onto left hand needle and purl this st, then k 3 sets of cable rib from straight end of hook, p3, k5.

It’s good to know that gaps happen with cables and that it will look better after blocking it.

#6

Then yup, your increase should be in knit (sorry, I thought you were knitting in the round). At any rate, you’ll know pretty quickly if it looks off, but in my experience if they don’t specify, it’s knit.

#7

I just learned how to do cables myself. You’re going to get a big gap on the turn row right after you twist the stitches. When you knit the next few rows, this pulls together and you don’t notice it so much. Besides, you’re not going to have the Knitting Police come around with a magnifying glass. We knitters are our own worst critics. Your lucky recipient will be pleased to get anything you knit for them. They won’t notice the flaws. These little homey touches are what makes hand knitting unique from any old thing you can grab off a Walmart shelf.

#8

Thanks :slight_smile: You’re very right, I definitely am my own worst critic! It’s good to know that the gaps will be normal when doing cables, as I said this being my first time tackling them, I was not sure at all what was normal and what was a glaring error! :wink: