Knitting a classic: cables and ribbing

We’re continuing our tour of Uptown Worsted yarn this week, and break away from the knit and purl texture patterns to try a basic combination of cables and ribbing. If you’re new to knitting cables this is a great way to practice them. The cables add some visual interest and the ribbing lets you do some “resting” stitches in between that are a bit easier. Let’s knit a classic combination of cables and ribbing perfect for so many different knitted accessories.

The swatches on our blog used this week in our posts all use 4.5mm needles, but you can use a different size if you get good results with them. Tension can be a very personal thing, so you might get the same gauge with a different needle size! And for this swatch, you’ll also need to grab your cable needle.

This pattern also uses the instruction C4L, for the cable stitch. C4L is to: transfer 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front. K2. Slip the 2 sts from the cable needle back to the right hand needle and knit these sts.

• Cast on 42 stitches, or a multiple of 10 stitches plus 2.
• Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2, k4, p2. Repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.
• Row 2 (WS): Work all stitches as they appear.**
• Row 3 (RS): *K2, p2, C4L, p2. Repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

**Work all stitches as they appear means to work the purl stitches as purls and the knit stitches as knits. This is a common instruction in knitting patterns that have Right Side and Wrong Side rows where the pattern changes all happen on Right Side rows and the Wrong Side ones are worked even.

Repeat these 4 rows until the swatch is the length you desire.

You can use this kind of stitch combination on a variety of accessory projects. It lies flat, so it would make a great scarf, but would be equally attractive on a hat or socks. Or, make it wider and a bit taller and you’d have a nice cozy for your french press coffee maker! Try it out and see what you would like to make with it. If you’re new to knitting cables this is a great way to practice them.