What does this mean?

How-to Questions
1

Hi again,

I was reading through one of my knitting books looking at cables, the pattern says - worked over 12 sts on a background of st st -

What does ‘background’ mean? Is it the part that would use cable needles?

I think I’m going to need a lot of help if I attempt any cables. :teehee:

Thanks
Gen

2

It just means that the stitches surrounding the actual cable stitches will be in st st. That is a bit uncommon, most cables are on a background of reverse stockinette stitch so you might want to double check that part. Usually the cable stitches are knit on the right side and purled on the wrong side and the stitches surrounding the cable are purled on the right side and knitted on the wrong side.

3

thanks, I’ll check the pattern, I did see a lot that were on a background of reverse stockinette.

Gen