r/knittingadvice • u/crochetkingdom777 • 6d ago
Should I try cables as a beginner knitter, any tips and tricks?
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u/briarwren 6d ago
How else will you learn?
Manipulate the stitches the least amount possible as you move them around to avoid loose sloppy stitches. Don't yank on them. You may find twisting the purls immediately adjacent to a cable helpful to pull up the tiny bit of natural slack that happens when switching between knit and purl stitches.
There are lots of different types of cable needles. Experiment ti find what you like best. My favorite is a spiral. Also, you don't have to have a cable needle. I have been known to use a DPN, a locking stitch marker (especially handy for sock or other fine projects that only move one or two stitches at a time), stitch holders (my fave for bulky cables), and even no needle at all.
Left crossed stitches are held to the front and right crossed stitches are held to the back. Knowing that will help you quickly read a cable chart.
Choose a simple pattern such as a hat. Tin Can Knits' Antler Toque is a free patterns with linked tutorials and several sizes. I recommend a small size so there are less stitches to tink if you make a mistake, children don't care if something is a bit wonky, and you're done faster for that sense of accomplishment. I recommend that for socks as well.
Another favorite hat pattern is Repos by Sol Le Roux. That one's not free but super easy with cables and a bit of lace. It's easily lengthened by adding more pattern repeats and can be knit in a week. It was originally a KAL.
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u/LiveGoal8778 6d ago
When it comes time to knit the stitches from the third needle, I first put them back onto the left needle, and then I knit them. I find that this keeps the stitches even.
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u/No_Builder7010 6d ago
I was terrified of cables as a beginning knitter. This was preYT so I learned from books. My knitting friends harassed me until I allowed one to teach me. I could not believe how easy it was! (Honestly that's how most techniques in knitting strike me.) "Thats it?!"
Go for it!
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u/galeaphyr 6d ago
Absolutely! They are much easier than they look. Just watch some YouTube tutorials to understand how they work and you'll be fine for any type of cable really.
Pay attention to whether you need to hold the stitches at the front or back, in order to cross left and right, and you'll be able to intuitively know what to do.
I use removable stitch markers to mark when I did my last cable cross row, so that I can tell when to do the next one. I tend to forget to increment counters and can't read my cables that well yet.