Sunday, January 3, 2010

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Classic Cables

Welcome to the very first feature in a weekly series of knitting stitches.  As we start out a new year and a new decade, I am determined to expand my own comfort zone and perfect my knitting skills by learning new knitting techniques and methods in 2010.  I want to share my progress with you as well as help the beginning knitter gain confidence to try new patterns and keep hand made knitting a popular and modern craft. 

Each month will feature a different theme of stitch combinations and I will be offering new patterns for sale in my etsy and artfire shops for easy and fun new projects using the stitches that are featured in Sunday Morning Knit Wit.  I hope that you will follow my blog each week and will feel free to leave comments and suggestions of project patterns you would like to see in the months ahead.


I find that knitting is extremely relaxing and comforting ~ the repetitive work and the soft rhythmic clicking of the needles is very soothing. What a great way to keep sane in this fast paced crazy world!  If you know how to knit and purl, you will be able to do the stitches featured each week. So gather up your knitting needles, yarn and hot cocoa and join me each week.
 
January is Cozy Cable Month and we will start with making Classic Cables.
 
Cables are my favorite stitch. They are fun, easy and they add beautiful texture and interest to the finished work.  Some women are known as bag ladies or cat ladies ~ Well, I am the cable lady.  I love to figure out how I can fit cables into my knitting work.  So we will start with basic cables today.
 
Some beginner knitters have a fear of cables because they do look complicated.  But in reality, they are simple and easy and once the technique is learned they can be done in your sleep.  Well, not really, but I often dream of them!  Think of it as taking a few stitches off the left hand needle onto a third needle, putting them aside and forget about them for a few minutes.  Continue with your work for a few stitches and then come back to them. 
 

 
 






 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 








Holding the work in front or back will determine the direction of the cable





Follow this pattern to make classic cables:
 
Row 1 :  Knit
Row 2 : Purl
Row 3 : C4F
Row 4 : Purl
 
C4F = Cable 4 stitches - Slip first 2 knit stitches onto double pointed needle and hold in front of work. Knit next 2 stitches from left hand needle then knit the 2 stitches directly from the double pointed needle.
 
Now you have the basic knowledge to make cables. Come back each Sunday in January to see some cable variations.  Next week - Slip Stitch Cable!
 
And if you want to try an easy scarflette pattern using Classic Cables - check out this pattern available on etsy for just $4.50.  It will become your favorite pattern! 
 
 

 
Until next week - keep those knitting needles clicking!

2 comments:

Anna K. said...

You are right... we beginning knitters do fear cables!

I am going to point my mother in the direction of your blog! She'll just love your tips!

Thanks for sharing!

katie hanson said...

oh wow, i love the look of cables but i am definitely a beginner knitter and i'm scared just looking at that!

I found your blog through etsy forums and just wanted to say hi and that your blog is lovely! have a beautiful wednesday!

xo, Katie