Knitting Cables - Learn How To Knit Cables 

I really enjoy knitting cables and surprisingly basic cable stitches are quite simple to knit. That's why I created this easy knitting lesson so you'll learn how to knit cables too. 

If you've been putting it off or afraid to try, grab some scrap yarn. Today is your day to learn! 

It's time to move forward with your knitting and cable knitting is a great place to start.

First, let's get a better understanding about cable knitting.

Cable knitting is done by crossing stitches over other stitches. So all you'll be doing to create a cable stitch is knitting stitches out of sequence. 

Think of it this way, look at the next four stitches on your knitting needle - there's stitch 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Instead of knitting stitch 1 and 2 first you're going to knit stitch 3 and 4 first. Then you'll knit stitch 1 and 2. The only reason you use a cable needle is to get stitches 1 and 2 out of the way. 

The two pictures below show right slanting cables and left slanting cables. I've also included some explanations so you'll have a better understanding before you get started with the knitting cables lesson.

Knitting Cables That Slant Right Look Like This

Common abbreviations for the right cross cable stitch are C4B or C4R and here's what it means:

C for cable, 4 is the number of stitches used in making the cable.  B means the stitches will be held at the back of work.  Or sometimes it will be R meaning a right slanting cable. The R also means that the stitches will be held at the back of work.

Knitting Cables That Slant Left Look Like This

Common abbreviations for the left cross cable stitch C4F or C4L which means:

C is for cable, 4 is the number of stitches used in making the cable, F means it is to be held in the front.  Sometimes it will be L meaning a left slanting cable that is held in the front.  

More Notes On Knitting Cables:

• The cable row is also known as the turning row
• Adding cable stitches to your pattern causes the fabric to pull in just like ribbing does so make sure to add extra stitches.  And make sure to knit a gauge swatch too.
  
• Knitting cables can be worked with a cable needle or there is a technique for knitting cables without a cable needle and that's really cool.

• The cable stitches are usually knit on the right side of your work
• Cables are not usually made on every row.  Usually there are a few rows of plain knitting before you work another turning row.  For instance a 4-stitch cable will have 4 plain rows of knitting before the cable row, a 6-stitch cable will have 6 rows of plain knitting before the cable row and so on. You can even add more rows in between. 
• Cable stitches are usually knit on a stockinette stitch background so that the cable will stand out more.  There are always exceptions of course but this is the standard basic method.

Are you ready?

Get your yarn and needles ready and let's start knitting cables.  Don't forget the cable needle too.  

Oh and you may find that a bamboo cable needle or DPN works better.  The stitches won't slip off. Even better? A U cable holder holds the stitches nicely.

How To Knit Cables Slanting Right, C4B, C4R 

When you're knitting cables you usually need to knit a few preparatory rows.

Cast on 14 stitches

Row 1 (RS):  P2, *k4, p2, repeat from * across row

Row 2 (WS):  K2, *p4, k2, repeat from * across row

Row 3 (Cable or turning row):  P2, *Slip first 2 stitches purlwise to cable needle and place in back of work.  Knit 2 stitches from left needle.  Then knit stitches from the cable needle.  Purl 2, repeat from * to the end of row. (See images 1 - 3 below)

Row 4:  Repeat row 2

Image 1:  Place cable needle at the back of your knitting.

Image 2:  Knit 2 stitches from left needle.

Image 3:  Then knit the stitches from the cable needle.

These 4 rows create the 4 stitch cable slanting to the right.

How to Knit Cables Slanting Left, C4F, C4L 

Cast on 14 stitches

Row 1 (RS):  P2, *k4, p2, repeat from * across row

Row 2 (WS):  K2, *p4, k2, repeat from * across row

Row 3 (Cable or turning row):  P2, *Slip first 2 stitches purlwise to cable needle and hold in front of work.  Knit 2 stitches from left needle.  Then knit stitches from the cable needle.  Purl 2, repeat from * to the end of row. (See images 1 - 3 below)

Row 4:  Repeat row 2

Image 1:  Place cable needle in front of knitting.

Image 2:  Knit 2 stitches from left needle.

Image 3:  Then knit stitches from cable needle.

You can make the cables longer if you want too, by knitting more plain rows in between turning rows.  For something different try making a cable row on the 4th row and then on the 6th or 8th row.

There are many ways to create your own style so play around and have fun knitting cables.  

Knitting Cables Tip

Are there holes on the sides of your cables? 

There were with mine too.  Loosen up the yarn a bit.  All it means is that you are knitting the cable stitches too tightly.  And the more you try to tighten up the hole the bigger it will get. 

You see when you're knitting cables the yarn gets really stretched and because it's being stretched it actually needs more yarn. 

So again just loosen up your tension and the holes will go away.

Knitting Cables Knitting Video

Looking for a video that will help you knit cable stitches?  Great! I found an excellent beginner cable knitting video.

Hope this helps.  Happy Knitting!

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Wondering how much yarn you need?

This knitting calculator is great