I don't have anything fun or witty to say this week. I'm getting to that point in a project where you're in too deep and you wish you had your finished project already. But you don't, so you start on other projects and move this one to the backburner for a while. But if you're still with us, try your hand at this cable stitch and let me know what you think.
Materials Worsted Weight Yarn US size 8 knitting needles Tapestry Needle Measuring Tape
BASKET WEAVE CABLES
Notes
Like so many of the other stitches, there are many ways that you can knit a basket cable pattern. For this week’s swatch, we’re using a pattern from Knitting Stitch Patterns, as it creates a comparatively looser basket weave. The hope is that this will provide some nice texture for the last body swatch, while not being too heavy. We’d also suggest checking out some other basket cable tutorials online like this one from Studio Knits that creates a tighter weave! You’ll start to see how the cables become looser/tighter when using a different number of stitches – below we use 4 stitches on the cable needle vs. 2 stitches on the cable needle in the Studio Knits pattern. Both create a beautiful texture and are a great example of how versatile cable knitting is!
Gauge
26st x 26r =4 x 4" (10cm)
Tip: pay attention to this, especially if you are modifying the pattern.
Abbreviations
K - Knit
P - Purl
RS - Right side
SL - Slip stitch
WS - Wrong Side
Finished Size
Do NOT measure the stockinette border. This will be used for seaming and shouldn't contribute to the finished size of the sweater.
Sizes are width x length
XS: 9 x 11.25 in (23 x 28.5 cm)
S: 10 x 11.5 in (25.5 x 29.5 cm)
M: 11 x 11.75 in (28 x 29.5 cm)
L: 12 x 11.75 in (30.5 x 30 cm)
XL: 13 x 12 in (33 x 30.5 cm)
2X: 14 x 12 in (36 x 30.5 cm)
3X: 15 x 12 in (38.5 x 30.5 cm)
4X: 16 x 12.25 in (41 x 31 cm)
5X: 17 x 12.25 in (43.5 x 31 cm)
Instructions
Cast on 62 (68, 76, 82, 88) (96, 102, 108, 114) sts
Row 1: Purl across (ws)
Row 2: Knit across (rs)
Row 3-7: Purl ws rows and K rs rows
Note: Row 8 and 14 as written are only appropriate for sizes S, M, and 4X. See instructions for other sizes below.
Row 8: K2 (border), *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * across row until 2 stitches remain, knit last 2 stitches
Row 9-13: Repeat rows 3-7
Row 14: K2 (border), K4, *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * until 6 stitches remain and knit last 6 stitches (includes border)
Repeat rows 3-14 until you reach 74 (74, 76, 76, 78) (78, 78, 80, 80) sts rows or your work is ~1/4 inch or 1 cm less than your desired total length.
o Row 15: Purl across (for seaming border)
o Row 16: Knit across (for seaming border)
Bind off
Row 8 instructions
XS / 3X
K3 (border), *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * across row until 3 stitches remain, knit last 4 stitches
XL / 2X
K4 (border), *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * across row until 4 stitches remain, knit last 4 stitches
L / 5X
K5 (border), *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * across row until 8 stitches remain, knit last 8 stitches
Row 14 instructions
XS / 3X
K3 (border), K4, *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * until 7 stitches remain and knit last 7 stitches (includes border)
XL / 2X
K4 (border), K4, *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * until 8 stitches remain and knit last 8 stitches (includes border)
L / 5X K5 (border), K4, *Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of your work, K4, K4 from cable needle* repeat from * to * until 9 stitches remain and knit last 9 stitches (includes border)
If you are going to alter the pattern, the gauge for this is:
26st x 26r =4 x 4" (10cm)
Plug this into the final equations for the Bust Blocks:
Gauge st x gauge row = 4 x 4 inches
_____ (bust block width) x ( _____Gauge st / 4”) = # sts _____
_____ (bust block length) x ( _____Gauge rows / 4”) = # rows _____
Once you have your stitch and row count, use those numbers in the pattern instructions above.
Still having some trouble? Sorry! We weren't able to find any good videos for this particular stitch. See Florence's post on Instagram for some video tutorial help.
Post this graphic to your social media if you're taking part in the KAL, and use the hashtag #swatchitup21 so we can see your progress.
Check back here next week to learn a new stitch.