Captivating Cables

Love them or hate them, cables found in sweaters or other accessories are time-honored classics. The cabled texture can be made with as few as two stitches or more complex braids composed of multiple cables. Cables tend to look more intimidating than they really are to execute. Combine this technique with your favorite Manos del Uruguay yarn and you are set to work on a fun and interesting project!

If you are new to working with cable stitches, the key to remember is that the stitches are simply being rearranged; stitches ABCD might be crossed to sit as CDAB instead. Vanda, one of our newest patterns from Anne Kuo Lukito, is to be knit as a beanie or beret in Maxima. The twisted stitches are equally interesting when viewed from the side or crown of the hat. The Sideways Cable Hat, by Lisa R.Myers, begins with the knitting of the cabled band, then picking up stitches for the crown. This is one of our free patterns and is worked in Wool Clasica. The Princess Mitts, by Jennifer Mills, is a nice choice for Silk Blend. Here we are showing Ravelry user Qualitychick's Princess Mitts project. When you are ready for cables with a bit more intensive texture, why not give one of these projects a try? The Cesta Cowl, worked in Fino, features a wonderfully cozy woven section, and can be worn long or tucked up for added warmth. Melissa Leapman's #14 Cabled Turtleneck sweater, from Vogue Knitting, features eye-catching cables in the on-trend Highlighter colorway of Maxima. Did you know that you can cable in crochet as well? In the 2013 Fall Interweave Crochet, Shannon Mullet-Bowsby has done just that using Silk Blend to create the Chautauqua Cardi Wrap. Serena also looks lovely in cables, as in Laura Zukaite's #22 Raglan Sleeve Pullover from Vogue Knitting Fall 2013. Once you are comfortable with cables you will be ready to add them to all your projects! We hope that you will share them with us in our Ravelry group or on our Facebook page, or maybe even Tweet us when you've mastered a particular twist.