Perhaps we can share some favorite cable patterns. I’m dying to make a purse with some cables in front, maybe some fun fur at the top with a zipper. Anyone have a pattern like that?
Seems I’m not the only cables fan :rofling:
I can see how they would be hard with sock yarn.
I’m totally up for sharing favorite cable patterns. Since I almost exclusively design my own sweaters, I use stitch dictionaries to find patterns for my sweaters. A few of my favorites are:
- Saxon Braid
- Trible Twist Cable (from the aran sweater I’m knitting now)
- Seed Stitch and Plain Wishbone
- Celtic Knot and Celtic Braid
- Grapes on the Vine (combines cables and bobbles)
- Moss Stitch Diamond
- Horseshoe Cable
- Cable Braid (an allover pattern with no purling on the right side)
- Plait Cable
- A lace and cable combination.
Okay, that’s about it. There are many more that I’ve done, but those are the ones I can name off of the top of my head.
I love the seed stitch too, and it’s so simple. I was doing a square in it last night and my mom was so impressed.
:notworthy:I seriously need to talk to you about designing patterns then, I’m trying my hand at my first, for a dog sweater…I was trying to get mine done by the deadline of the Knitty fall issue, but that’s just a couple of days away, I’m not going to make it. 
Maybe you can start a topic on designing for those of us who want to learn more???
If so, please post link here so I know.
Then you’re the person I need to chat with when I am ready to make my own sweater. I haven’t found a pattern I really like, but am thinking along the lines of Celtic Braid.
I’ve looked long and hard for a cabled fisherman’s sweater for DH which isn’t too “fussy”. The only one I really like so far is
[B][B]Men’s Pullover Irish Knit [/B] [/B]
That’s not bad. Maybe in a nice dark green. An olive maybe?
I love how cables look. I also thought they would be difficult to do until I saw it demonstrated on the tv show “Knitty Gritty”. I was SHOCKED and thrilled at how easy they were.:cheering:
I have to admit I frogged the scarf twice because I was SURE I hadn’t done the cables right.
I had. :wall:
i am readdicted to cables once again, working on the grey cabled vest from men who knit and the dogs who love them, just finished designing a scarf and hat set with cables, and next is this http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/ben/ben.html in KP’s merino style. i must say since forcing myself to learn cabling without a needle, i can no longer cable WITH a needle, but keep trying to refresh myself.
Cables are my favorite thing to knit and you’re right, they are SO easy. My next goal is to figure out how to create a cable chart/pattern.
I’ve been scared to try cables, but y’all are making it sound like child’s play! I’d love to make a top-down raglan turtleneck with cables, but not too many! Anyone have a pattern?
Oh you MUST! Once you do you’ll feel you can tackle anything! All it is is every so many rows, basically slipping off say 5 stitches onto a dpn for a few seconds while you knit the next 5 stitches, then knit the ones on the dpn. The only thing to remember is that when you are purling the row just before you are going to do it make sure you make those 5 stitches you are slipping off rather loose.
That’s it!
Of course that’s just the basic cable which I know, there are tons of others I’ve seen and haven’t tried yet.
I am a vet cabler…and I have tried and tried to do the cable twists without the cable needle. It just slows me down. I went back to the blue metal “sharp-U-turn” shaped cable needle. I can cable lightening fast with it.
By the way, I park it in one cable twist down from where I am working. It is always “waiting” for me…and not down inbetween the cushions of the sofa. :doh:
:teehee: like mine always is! That’s an excellent idea parking it in another completed cable. I’m always jumping up and going, where did I put that blasted cable, and pulling my chair apart… makes cabling when I’m using the needle very sloooowww going!
Y’all are making me REALLY want to try cables. I just bought yarn for a turtleneck (for next winter, of course), and I’d like to try it with cables. 
ANYONE HAVE A PATTERN?
Agreed - I was terrified to try cables and shocked at how easy they are. To be honest, I’ve found that to be the case with almost everything in knitting - things look a lot harder than they are.
BTW, being a veteran cabler myself…I can share this one good tip!
When I am knitting a cabled sweater or afghan, etc…I always use pointier needles, such as OPTIONS. It is much easier to knit the two or three stitches off the cable needle especially. The pointier needle tip “grabs” the stitches more accurately. Bulbous needle tips are just a fight fight fight.
Also, if you are having a hard time getting your cable stitches knitted-and-off the needle…maybe you are knitting those 4 or 6 stitches too tight. Maybe they are too tight on the left needle in the first place…so that when you try to work them with the right needle and cable needle…they resist your efforts.
Do you know what I mean? Don’t be afraid to let those 4 or 6 cable stitches be a little less tight on the left needle, and ultimately, on the right needle after they are worked.
You should not have to fight those cable stitches.
It makes “life on the row” so much more pleasant! :eyebrow:
I love this thread! my first try with cables was the Irish hiking scarf too!
I lost my fave cable needle and it just jumped out of the couch cushions the other day, nearly stabbing me. Scared the daylights out of me!:roflhard:
I remember when I taught a friend of mine to do cables. She is very analytical, a Phd research scientist, very practical. Anyway, after a few rows she exclaimed, “This is MAGIC! IT IS MAGIC!”
So, there you have it. Scientifically speaking, cables are magic! 