Knitting Tutorial: Cabling Without a Cable Needle

Right now I'm working on a new baby afghan pattern that features a panel of narrow knit cables. I think it looks lovely, but as I was working, it became a hassle to cross stitches with a cable needle. Luckily, my friend, Tammy, from Eclectic Technique, showed me how to knit cables without a cable needle.

This technique is not for the faint of heart because for a split second, you will have a couple stitches just dangling freely. Scary! With practice, however, you'll be surprised how quickly you can knit a panel of cables like the ones in my afghan.

I know that sometimes, with knitting, it can be easier to understand a technique by watching it than reading about it, so here's a short video to get you started.

Or if you prefer step by step written directions...

I knit a small cabled swatch to demonstrate how to knit cables without a cable needle. Each of my cables are 4 sts wide, so I'm crossing 2 sts over or behind 2 sts, but once you get the hang of it, you can use this technique with larger cables, as well. Let's start with a front crossing/left leaning cable.

Front Crossing/Left Leaning Cable

	Slip 2 sts from your left needle to the right.
	Knit 2 stitches.
	Insert your left needle into the first 2 slipped stitches at the front.
	Deep breath! slide the right needle out of 4 stitches, leaving 2 hanging stitches.
	Move the right needle back and insert it into the 2 hanging stitches.
	Knit 2 stitches.
	Voila! Now let's pass a cable the other direction.

Back Crossing/Right Leaning Cable

	Bring your working yarn under the right needle and towards the front.
	Slip 2 stitches from the left needle to the right.
	Move your working yarn under the right needle and to the back.
	Slip 2 more stitches from the left needle to the right.
	Insert the left needle into the first 2 slipped stitches at the back.
	Deep breath! Slide the right needle out of 4 stitches, leaving 2 hanging stitches.
	Move the right needle to the front and insert it into the 2 hanging stitches.
	Slip 2 stitches from the right needle to the left needle.
	Knit 4 stitches.
	A lovely right leaning cable.

I highly recommend practicing this technique on a swatch because any mistakes in a cabled pattern will be very noticeable. Also, it's easiest to practice with a yarn that doesn't separate easily, like wool. That way, picking up those hanging stitches is not quite as scary.

Also, the Hugs and Kisses Baby Afghan Pattern is now available in my pattern shop. Happy knitting!