OK, for better or worse, I’m knitting my newest project now; and it’s a frightening pattern, complex and intricate. But I’m determined to take a meditative approach to it and only knit it without distraction (at least the T.V.).
The beginning is cast on 151 sts then work in 1 x 1 rib
1st row - K2, P1, K1
2nd row - K1, P1, K1
easy
but looking ahead rows 22 reads:
Rib 11, inc in next st, * rib 3, inc in next st, rep from * to last 11 sts, rib 11 … 184 sts.
My question: inc in the next st (but if I’m in a rib pattern what do I do??). After this row comes the needle change and begins the nightmare cable pattern over 26 rows.
Since it’s the last row of ribbing, just add the stitches and work the rib stitches as they’ve been all along. Knit the knits and purl the purls. At a quick glance it looks like your increases are on knit stitches, so just kfb in those stitches and purl the next.
The best advice I can give on the cable pattern is to use markers on your needles and post-its on your chart to keep track.
Take your pattern one row at a time and enjoy it. If you’ve never done cables before, it’s not as bad as it looks. Whatever your pattern calls for,you will only have a turning row where you will actually twist the cable only every four or six rows. The rest will be some type of knit and purl combination. You will have knits and purls between the cables themselves. I avoided cables for years, thinking they were way too advanced for me. When I finally got up the courage to try, I wondered what all the fuss was about. Cabling is fun and looks very complicated to the uninitiated. You might want to increase your confidence by trying the cable pattern on some other yarn before you commit yourself to the pattern.
One hint I can give you is to look at the stitches. I assume that by now, you are experienced enough to recognize knits from purls. On all the wrong side rows, right side rows without the cable twist, and between the cables on the turning row, you’re knitting the knits and purling the purls. You won’t need to refer to the cable pattern once you get the hang of it. Easy.
Edit: One thing I should add is that I like to cable without a cable needle. I don’t like them because they always fall out. If you have problems with them, I’d suggest switching to bobby pins, found in any women’s hair section of the store with hair pins, barettes, and clips. I’m not sure if they call them something else in the UK or Australia.
That’s so true. I think cables are one of the mysteries that keep non-knitters in awe of knitters’ powers. They’re still just one stitch at a time and the ability to follow directions.
Once you get established, you’ll be able to look at the work and see what needs to be done next and what looks right/wrong.
When I need to use a cable needle, I use a bamboo dpn. I’ve gotten to the point where I usually don’t use any cable needle unless it’s a weird cable combination.
Once you are able to see how the cables work, you may want to try doing them without a needle to save a step.
I have done cables before, plenty of them but not as complex as Aran knitting … I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Especially since my last sweater was entirely stocking stitch…
They’re still just one stitch at a time and the ability to follow directions.