SPECIAL MATERIALS: Cables require one more piece of equipment: a cable needle. Here are some examples of needles:
As you can see, there are many different types of cable needles. You can even use a small crochet hook or a double pointed needle. How do you choose? It really comes down to personal preference and what you are most comfortable with. I personally like the straight needles (the second picture), but for a first timer I would recommend something like the purple needle in the first picture. The grove gives you a place for your stitches to ''hang out'' so they won't slip off the needles. Most cable needles are sold in packs, usually with a few different kinds of needles, so you can try them out and decide what you like best.
TECHNIQUE:
Cables are relatively easy in concept, although they can feel a bit clumsy at first. There are two basic ways to twist your stitches. One way (cabling to the back) crosses the stitches to the right. The second way (cabling to the front) crosses your stitches to the left.
Cable to the Front:
This method is usually written like this: C#F (example C6F). This means that you will be cabling across the next 6 stitches. Most well written patterns will explain how to divide your stitches for the cable cross, but this is the most common notation.
First, you divide the number of stitches in half (3), then slip these first 3 to your cable needle and hold the slipped stitches to the front of your work.
Knit the next 3 stitches on your left-hand needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
Notice how the stitches lean to the left? You've just cabled to the front!
Cabling to the Back:
Usually written as: C#B (example: C6B). This means you will be cabling across the next 6 stitches, twisting them to the back of the work.
First divide the number of stitches in half (3), then slip these first 3 to your cable needle and hold the slipped stitches to the back of your work.
Knit the next 3 stitches on your left-hand needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle
Notice how your stitches lean to the right? You've just cabled to the back!
Here is the basic ''recipe'' for making a bobble. There are many different ways to make a bobble, just follow the directions your specific pattern calls for. Both the "Easy" and "Intermediate" patterns use this recipe. The biggest thing to remember is you will be working the bobble into one stitch at a time, once that bobble is completed you may continue along the row you started in Enjoy!
1: Follow your pattern until you get to the stitch you are supposed to make a bobble in:
2: Knit 5 stitches into this stitch. Do this by alternating knitting into the front of the stitch (without dropping the yarn off your needle):
3: Then knit into the back of this same stitch. Alternate these two actions until you have made 5 stitches out of one (5 stitches total):
4: Turn your work (you will be working over these 5 stitches to create the bobble). Purl these 5 stitches:
5: Turn your work. Knit these 5 stitches
6: Repeat is for a total of 4 rows
(purl across the 5 stitches, turn, knit across the 5 stitches, turn, purl across the 5 stitches, turn, knit across the 5 stitches)
7: Finally, with the tip of the left hand needle, pass the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th stitches over (one at a time) the first stitch on the right hand needle
You've completed one bobble! Sometimes you need to ''pop'' the bobble to the front of the work. Just push it forward with your finger until it resembles the shape above. Now you can continue along the row you started in.
