Learn how to cable in 6 minutes

 

Have you always wanted to learn how to cable, but never got around to it? Our new 6 minute tutorial is perfect for tackling the simplest of cables, a great way to get you started. 

Want to learn how to cable?

It's not as hard as it looks, we promise! This tutorial explains the basics of cabling in a way that anyone who knows how to knit and purl can understand. Cables can be very simple, like this one, or they can be incredibly complex: traveling cables set on a reverse stocking stitch background with twists, for example! If you're new to cabling, we hope this tutorial helps you out. 

We used: 

Rowan Softest Merino Wool yarn

Addi bamboo 8mm single pointed needles

A cable needle

Learn how to cable knit in less than 6 minutes

Get started

(Don't like photo tutorials? Scroll to the bottom of this post for our video tutorial!)

Cast on 18 stitches. 

 

Learn how to cable knit in less than 6 minutes

Row one: knit

Row two: purl

Row three: knit 6 stitches and prepare to cable!

Learn how to cable knit in less than 6 minutes

We are going to do a Cable 6 Back, also seen as C6B or CB6. With even numbered cables, you split the number in half: half on the cable needle, half knit, then knitting the stitches from the cable needle. For cables that lean to the right, you hold the cable needle stitches behind the work; for left leaning cables you hold them in front. 

Put the next three stitches onto the cable needle. 

Learn how to cable in less than 6 minutes

Hold the cable needle with the three stitches behind your working needles, like this: 

Learn how to cable in less than 6 minutes

Knit the next three stitches. Now you have nine stitches on the right needle, three stitches on the cable needle that you held behind your work, and six stitches on the left needle. 

Learn how to cable in less than 6 minutes

Now, knit the three stitches from the cable needle. Some people knit the stitches straight from the cable needle, but most people place the cable needle stitches back onto the left hand needle to knit them. 

Learn how to cable in less than 6 minutes

Now, knit the last six stitches in the row, and turn. Purl all of row four.

Learn how to cable in less than 6 minutes

You can repeat rows one-four to create a center right leaning twist as seen in the top image.

Need some more help? Check out the video tutorial! 

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Learn to cable knit with a free photo and video tutorial!