Because I'm a Blockhead, I'm also Square...

June 21, 2013

Square 34
Double Cables

The center panel of this square shows one version of the Chain or Medallion cable; the other two panels show the typical Double or Horseshoe cable, one opening away from its center and the other closing toward its center. Varying numbers of stitches and pattern rows make varying sizes and styles of the basic Double Cable.

June 22, 2013

Square 35
Lacing Cable

The Lacing Cable is very striking when inserted, as here, into a Stockinette Stitch fabric. Variations include: 2-stitch rib instead of 3-stitch ribs; diagonal movement on the background 1 stitch at a time instead of 2 stitches at a time; or extra cable rows to make another twist in the center.

June 23, 2013

Square 36
Arches

This square shows one example of a class of patterns in which cable crossings are embedded in a Stockinette Stitch fabric. Such patterns are usually simple to work, and give very nice texture effects.

June 24, 2013

Square 37
Wrung-Rib Pattern

 This interesting pattern demonstrates the cabling technique used to make a crossing of an odd number of stitches, when the central stitch is to be placed between the two groups on either side. The central stitch in these cables is a purl stitch, which helps to distinguish it from the knit groups that cross in front and in back of it. In other such patterns, the central stitch may be a knit stitch like all the others in the cable.

June 25, 2013

Square 38
Open Cables and Four-Rib Braid

 Two Open Cables appear in this square, one crossing to the right and the other to the left. These cables are often used on button bands, since buttonholes can be attractively placed in their open centers. The Four-Rib Braid in the middle of the square is one of dozens of different versions of a braided cable, which may have 3, 4, 5 or more ribs with varying numbers of stitches in each rib.

June 26, 2013

Square 39
Cabled Lattice

 This Cabled Lattice is one of many versions. In other versions the ribs of the lattice may be wider or narrower; they may be closer together or farther apart; the background may be worked in purl stitches, as here, or in Seed Stitch or Moss Stitch or some other fabric; it may have secondary patterns such as diamonds, ribs or bobbles.

June 27, 2013

Square 40
Variation Cable

These patterns demonstrate some unusual ways of handling the cable needle, which may come as a surprise even to knitters who have done a lot of cable work. I had never knit any cables like these before this square. The End-Over-End Cable (the ones on each side of the center cable), which looks almost - but not quite - like an ordinary Simple Cable, is especially interesting, and its cross is certainly faster to work that the usual cable cross. The cable needle holding the stitches is turned 1/2 way around clockwise for one and counterclockwise for the other allowing the backside of the stitches on the cable needle to be knit. The Ribbed Cable (the ones on each edge) changes knit stitches to purl stitches, and vice versa, on the group of stitches that passes in back of the cross. It also exemplifies the principle of the uneven cable, in which a greater number of stitches cross in front than behind. The Gordian Knot (the cable in the center) uses a multiple of changes to twist the stitches into a knot while crossing them at the same time. So unusual and so uniquely different.

I loved this square and all I learned from it. I have plans to use these techniques and designs in some future patterns I am designing.

This completes Section V - Cables.  Now I am beginning Section VI - Increase and Decrease Patterns. This is probably the most important section, for no knitter can be a good knitter without a precise understanding of increases and decreases. They are what create shaping, both in fabric patterns and in garment proportions.

Now off to another Square.....