C6 = slip the next six stitches to right needle, letting extra wraps drop to create long loops. With left needle, pass the first three loops over the last three loops and off the right needle. Slip the three remaining loops back to left needle and kfb of each loop (knit into the front and back of each loop).
Sample knit with Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn, US Size 8 addi Turbo Needles
This beautiful cable is quick and simple to knit. In my sample, I did a 10 stitch cable, and added 8 extra stitches - two garter stitches for a border on each side, and two more along each side of the cable for a reverse stocking stitch background. While you certainly are not required to use reverse stockinette as a background for your cable, it really does help the cable pop out. You can do seed stitch as a background, for instance. And, depending on how you use the panel, may or may not need to add a border.
In the video, I live dangerously and cable without a cable needle. If you are new to cables, you may not want to do it this way - it is perfectly fine to use a cable needle. If you have knit cables before, and feel comfortable without the cable needle, try it. I think this is a perfect cable to do without the extra fuss of a cable needle.
Abbreviations in this pattern:
C4F = Slip next two stitches to cable needle, hold in front. Knit two stitches from left needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle (cable 4 front)
C4B = Slip the next two stitches to cable needle, hold in back. Knit two stitches from the left needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle (cable 4 back)
Cable is worked on a multiple of 4 + 6
Row 1 (RS): K2 *C4F*
Row 2 and 4: Purl
Row 3: *C4B*, end K2
Repeat these four rows until the cable is as long as you like.
Sample knit with worsted weight yarn on US Size 6 needles
You asked for it, so here we go! For about the last month, there has been a poll up, to determine if you all would like to see longer videos in which I demo cables and lace stitches. I usually choose stitches that aren't too long or complicated in order to keep the videos brief. There are many beautiful lace and cable stitches out there though, and most take longer to do than stitches I have done in the past. The majority of you said you don't mind having to watch a longer video if it means getting to see more cables and lace. I will still do other stitches, but there will now be more complicated/longer stitch patterns as well.
This is the first stitch I chose to do - a beautiful spiral cable. Not complicated, maybe just a little tricky if you are new to cables. Even a beginner can do this, with some practice.
If you don't have a cable needle, you can just use a DPN - make sure it is an appropriate size for your yarn. The same size as the needle you are using to knit with is perfect, but you can use a needle one size smaller. Too big and your stitches may get stretched, too small and it will probably slide out of your stitches.
This is a 10 stitch cable worked on a reverse stockinette background, and an 8 row repeat. The pattern below is for the cable only. You will need to add more stitches for the reverse stockinette background. In my sample above, I have six stitches of reverse stockinette on each side of my cable, so I have a total of twenty-two stitches on my needles. You can have more or less stitches separating your cables - whatever looks good to you.
Notes:
C4B = Slip next two stitches from left needle to cable needle, hold in back of work. Knit two from the left needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle. (You can knit directly from the cable needle, or slip the stitches back to the left needle - whichever way is most comfortable for you)
2 SC = 2 Stitch Cross, Skip the first stitch on the left needle, and knit the second, leaving it on the left needle. Knit the first stitch, and drop it and the second stitch from the left needle
Cast on 10 stitches for each cable, plus extra stitches for reverse stockinette background
