Hello,
I’m an intermediate knitter but I’m new to cables. Usually the only pattern charts I use are for colorwork. Now I’m trying to swatch a cable pattern for a dress and there are no written directions, only a chart! I thought I understood what I was supposed to do based on the symbol key but one symbol that is two stitches long involves 3 stitches in the instructions. At first I thought that the cable symbol was just including the regular stitches next to the cable too but sometimes the cable symbols are right next to each other so that doesn’t make sense. Also the cable pattern symbols stretch across two rows. Am I supposed do the same thing for both rows or is there a difference? Please help!
What is the name of your pattern?
It does seem unusual to see the cable symbol over 2 rows but I assume the cable twist occurs on the first of these rows.
It’s called petrol softly dress. I bought the pattern from Ravelry but if it helps here is a picture of what it should look like. The portion I showed you is the start of the diamonds on the side.
Really lovely dress.
Perhaps it’s a common Russian form of cable notation? I would go with the cable cross row as the first row of the two.
The last two symbols in the key are for 3 sts one of which is a purl stitch. So it takes 2 knits and 1 purl. Are they the confusing ones?
Probably wise to swatch in pattern and try out all the cables.
Goodness–that is an odd one! I’d like to know the final answer on this one. The photo may help; I agree – swatch! That dress is gorgeous – good luck!
It is a beautiful pattern, my guess is the first cable finishes the diamond and the second cable starts the next diamond. When I have found a cable chart with no instructions I take the time to write out the chart. Then I would work a sample for the 26 chart stitches, make changes to your notes if needed. Most important take your time and keep count of your rows. Safety pins make good stitch and row markers.
I know that I wrote this months ago but I gave up on the dress for a while because I was so frustrated. Now I’m trying it again and there’s on thing about the cables that I really don’t understand. If you look at the last two symbols in the symbol key, one says to put the cable need behind the work and the other says to put the cable needle in front of the work. They symbols always appear in the same row. Doesn’t that mean that for one of these symbols, I’d be working the cable on the wrong side of the work instead of the right side? I’ve tried all of the suggestions here and I’m still genuinely so baffled.
The direction to place sts on the cable needle and hold in front make a left leaning cable.
The direction to place sts on the cable needle and hold in back make a right leaning cable.
These should all be on right side (RS) or even number rows. On the wrong side (WS) or odd number row work the sts as they appear, knit the Vs and purl the bumps as you come to them.
Thank you! I used to know that when I first learned all about cables at the start of this project, but I spent so long away that I completely forgot. Now I feel a bit silly! I was finally able to get this pattern sorted out. The first row is where you knit the cable twist and the second row is knit as usual so I’m not sure why the symbol spans both row, but now I know.
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Looks perfect! Please let us see a photo when you finish this gorgeous dress.