cables

pow e r

the ultimate guide to

knitting inventive cables

L i ly C h i n
 Phony Cables:
Turnaround Shawl

Reversible Textural Cables:

Coat with Fold-back Lapels

contents
basic cable primer ribbed reversible cables (or ribbles)
• Directions of Cables • Charting (Traditional and My • Basic Theory • Stitch Multiples • Gauge Considerations
Revolutionary New Charting System) • Designing Your Own • Preferred Fibers • Charting Flipped Sides
Cable Patterns • Incorporating Cables Into Projects • Details (side edges, separator stitches)
• Cables Without a Cable Needle; Double Crossing p r ojects
project Reversible-cuff Socks
Honeycomb V-neck Pullover Twisted-rib Reversible Scarf
Fisherman’s-rib Turtleneck
wide-rib cables
• Creating Reversibility • Identical vs Fraternal • Varying Widths textural cables
• Varying Crossing Rows • Cables in the Round • Changing Textures • Reversibility • Charting Combinations;
project More Involved Patterns • Setting Off Strands; Extra Textures
Wide-rib Scarf projects
Textured Tote
Coat with Fold-back Lapels
 Raised-wale Cables:
Reversible Hat

Ribbed Reversible Cables:

Ribbed Reversible Cables: Fisherman’s-rib Turtleneck
Twisted-rib Reversible Scarf

colorful cables combination & specialty cables

Two-color; Raised Wales; Dropped Stitches
Basics • Cheats • Reversible Bi-colored Brioche Rib
projects
p r ojects
Two-tone Scarf
Bicolor Brioche Stole
Dropped-stitch Reversible Afghan
Pinstripe Pullover
Turnaround Shawl
Woven-strands Pullover

traveling-stitch cables phony cables

Passing Through Strips; Turnaround Stitches;
Basics • Background Stitches • Reversibility
I-cord; Yarnover-wrap
projects
projects
Five-way Shrug
Man’s Vest Two-Colored Purse
Wine Hoodie

raised-wale cables
Basics • Reversibility
project
Reversible Hat and Mittens
textured tote
This roomy tote is a perfect example of what
Finished size
5" (12.5 cm) bottom and side, 161/2"
(42 cm) wide, 11" (28 cm) tall, 24"
(61 cm) straps.

Yarn
Worsted weight (Medium #4).
happens when you cable a set of plainer stockinette Shown here: Berroco Linen Jeans
(70% rayon, 30% linen; 80 yd
stitches with a set of richly textured ones! The [73 m]/50 g): Fiddlehead #7443,
12 skeins.
contrast between the smooth stockinette and the
bumpy garter stitches creates an almost gnarly effect. Needles
U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm): 24" (60 cm)
circular (cir) and set of 4 double-
pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size
if necessary to obtain the correct
tote gauge.
Work in Body patt until piece
bottom
measures 10" (25.5 cm) from pick-up
Using the chain or crocheted method Notions
row, ending after Rnd 2 of patt. Stitch markers (m); four stitch
(see Glossary), CO 38 sts.
Set-up row: (RS) Knit. holders; cable needle (cn);

Rep Rows 1–12 of Bottom pattern 10

trim tapestry needle.
Next rnd: [k1, p1] 8 times, k1, p2tog,
times, then rep Rows 1–9 once more.
*[k1, p1] 15 times, k1, p2tog; rep Gauge
Next row: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, 31 sts and 36 rows = 4" (10 cm).
from * to last 14 sts, [k1, p1] 7 times—
ssk—36 sts rem. Do not turn. 36 sts in Bottom patt (without
320 sts rem.
selvedges) = 5" (12.5 cm).
Work [k1, p1] rib as established for 1"
body
(2.5 cm). Note
With RS facing, rotate Bottom piece
Next rnd: (strap set-up rnd) BO 55 Bottom of tote is worked first, then
90° and place marker (pm). Pick up
sts in rib patt, *[k1, p1] 9 times, k2* sts are picked up from all sides and
and knit (see Glossary) 129 sts along
worked upward in the round.
(21 sts on right needle for shoulder
side of Bottom, pm, pick up and knit
strap), BO 43 sts in rib patt, rep from *
36 sts along CO edge, pm, pick up
to *, BO 75 sts in patt, rep from * to *,
and knit 129 sts along other long
BO 43 sts in rib patt, rep from * to *,
edge, pm for beg of rnd—330 sts. Join
BO rem 20 sts of rnd. Cut yarn and
for working in the rnd.
draw through last st of rnd.

power cables 5
 12-row/rnd
repeat

tote chart
Stitch Chart
20
33-st repeat for Bag Body
18
38-st pattern for Bag Bottom
16

14

12

10
k on RS; p on WS
8
12-row/rnd
p on RS; k on WS
repeat 6

4
sl 3 sts onto cn, hold in back,
k3, k3 from cn
2 sl 3 sts onto cn, hold in front,
k3, k3 from cn
33-st repeat for Bag Body

38-st pattern for Bag Bottom

Stitch Guide
k on RS; p on WS
3/3RC (3 over 3 left cross): Sl 3 sts to cn and hold in Rows 10 and 12: Knit.
p on RS; k on WS
front of work, k3, k3 from cn. Rep Rows 1–12 for patt.
sl 3 sts onto cn, hold in back,
3/3RC (3 over 3 right cross):
k3, k3Slfrom
3 stscnto cn and hold in
back of work, k3, k3 from
sl 3cn.
sts onto cn, hold in front, Body Pattern: (multiple of 33 sts)
k3, k3 from cn
Rnd 1: *K3, [p3, k3] twice, p6, [k3, p3] twice; rep from
Bottom Pattern: (38 sts, or 36 sts + 2) * to end.
Row 1: (WS) K1 (selvedge st), [p3, k3] twice, p3, k6, Rnd 2: *K3, 3/3LC, 3/3RC, k6, 3/3LC, 3/3RC; rep from *
[p3, k3] twice, p3, k1 (selvedge). to end.
Row 2: K1 (selvedge), k3, 3/3LC, 3/3RC, k6, 3/3LC, Rnds 3, 5 and 7: *P3, [k3, p3] twice, k6, [p3, k3] twice;
3/3RC, k3, k1 (selvedge). rep from * around.
Rows 3, 5, and 7: K1 (selvedge), [k3, p3] twice, k3, p6, Rnds 4 and 6: Knit.
[k3, p3] twice, k3, k1 (selvedge). Rnd 8: *K3, 3/3RC, 3/3LC, k6, 3/3RC, 3/3LC; rep from *
Rows 4 and 6: Knit. to end.
Row 8: K1 (selvedge), k3, 3/3RC, 3/3LC, k6, 3/3RC, Rnds 9 and 11: Rep Rnd 1.
3/3LC, k3, k1 (selvedge). Rnds 10 and 12: Knit.
Rows 9 and 11: Rep Row 1. Rep Rnds 1–12 for patt.

6 textured tote
t echniqu e

changing
textures
I stated in Chapter 1 that cables are typically
worked in stockinette stitch; we then saw
in Chapter 3 how cables can be worked in
ribbing to create reversibility. But what about
other stitch patterns?

The very first experiment I did when

developing reversible cables was to
work them in garter stitch, which was
far from successful. Not wanting to
give up on garter stitch altogether, I
experimented and researched some more.

I discovered that in order for any other

textured stitch (such as garter or seed stitch)
to be incorporated into a viewable cable, it
must be confined to or contained within only
one strand or set of stitches. The other set
must be stockinette (or ribbing, which draws
in and looks like stockinette). Basically, view
this as a mixed pair!
See how the other texture “snakes” its way
around the stockinette or rib column? The idea
is to have contrast between the smooth and
the textured. Not only do alternating textures
emphasize movement, they also impart another
layer or dimension. Experiment with reverse
stockinette crossed with stockinette.
fully reversible. The only difference between
fronts and backs is that the textures are the
opposite: whereas the seed stitch shows up on
top after the first crossing on one side, stocki-
nette shows up on top after this first crossing
on the other side. Then stockinette winds up on
top after the second crossing on one side and
seed stitch is on top after the second crossing
on the other side.

Both garter and seed stitch are reversible
stitches. Combining either one with stockinette
in a cable creates a somewhat reversible cable.
When either texture is combined with ribbing
in a cable, however, the resulting pattern is
Cables are highly textural to begin with, but
the addition of other textures besides smooth
stockinette can really throw your cables into
high relief. Even more original patterns can
emerge.

power cables 7
 cable with
confidence
Intimidated by cables? Power Cables teaches knitters to cable
with confidence, from the most basic twisted stitches to complex
and imaginative interpretations. Master knitter Lily Chin shares
her signature and sought-after technique for creating reversible
cables in thorough detail.

Inside readers will learn:

“I can guarantee that once
you’ve picked up Power Cables,
you’ll never look at cable
stitches the same way again.
What are you waiting for?
Adventure awaits!”
’ Basic instructions for a variety of cables, from simple to sculptural
’ 15+ original patterns for pullovers, jackets, bags, socks, accessories,
and more that highlight cables in texture, color, and nontraditional
explorations
’ A new charting technique that shows cables clearly
’ In-depth instruction on creating reversible cables
’ Invaluable tips and tricks, including how to design custom cable
patterns
Advanced beginners, expert knitters, and knitters with an interest in
knitwear design will delight in Power Cables.

­— Janet Szabo, author of The “I Hate to

Finish Sweaters” Guide, Aran Sweater
Design, and Cables, Volume 1: The Basics,
and publisher of Twists and Turns: The
Newsletter for Lovers of Cable Knitting.

Lily Chin has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for nearly twenty-five Paperback, 8½ x 9, 160 pages
years. She has crocheted runway pieces for Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Isaac
50photographs, 20 illustrations,
Mizrahi, and Vera Wang, and her work has been on the backs of celebrities and supermodels
such as Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. She has appeared on the CBS Morning News, and 40 charts
the DIY Network, HGTV, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Martha Show.
ISBN 978-1-59668-167-5
A noted instructor, Lily teaches workshops on knitting and crochet all over the world. She
lives in New York City. $24.95
Available May 2010