91
LEARN WITH USFIRST CABLE NEEDLE TO BACK
The swatch has 28 stitches and Rows 1 to
6 have been completed. On Row 7, the first
three stitches are purl stitches, and the next
group of six knit stitches will be used for the
six stitch cross cable. Here we see the first
two stitches of the group of six being put
onto a cable needle and held at the back.KNIT NEXT TWO STITCHES
Knit the next two stitches from your left-hand
needle. It can feel fiddly with cables needles at
the front and back of your work, but be sure to
pull the yarn firmly to remove any gaps as you
knit the last two stitches of the group of six, so
moving them to the beginning of this group.WORK BACK CABLE NEEDLE
To complete the moving of the stitches in this
set, knit the two stitches from the back cable
needle; these were originally the first two
stitches of the six stitch group that you have now
moved to being the last two.1
3
5
WORK A PLAIN SECTION
Next purl two stitches, knit six stitches, purl
two stitches, then follow steps 1-5 to repeat the
raised cable pattern. Repeat these steps across
the row. The overall pattern works over eight
rows, with two containing the crossed cables.NEXT CABLE NEEDLE TO FRONT
The next step is to slip the following two stitches
onto a second cable needle and hold this one at
the front. The stitches should stay quite happily
on the cable needles without slipping off, just
make sure the stitches are nestled in the dip or
crook, depending on the design of your
cable needle.WORK FRONT CABLE NEEDLE
The next step is to knit the two stitches from the
front cable needle. You may find it easier to let
go of the straight needle, or hold both needles
as you do this. The stitches stay as the middle
two stitches of the group, with the effect of
sitting on top of the crossed stitches.2
4
6
There are so many cable patterns to be found and some are easy, while others
are more complicated. Once you’ve got the hang of holding the cable needle,
and knitting with it like a normal knitting needle, you'll find these stitch designs
addictive. This six stitch cross cable uses two cable needles, which should
ideally be close in size to that of your main needles, and the result will be
this fabulous raised pattern!Learn new stitches in
easy stepsCROSS CABLE
PATTERN
Worked over a multiple of
16 sts plus 12
£ Row 1 (RS): p3, k6, *
p2, k6, rep from * to last
three sts, p3
£ Row 2 and all WS
rows: k3, p6, * k2, p6, rep
from * to last three sts, k3
£ Row 3: p3, k6, * p2,
work six st cross
cable, p2, k6, repStart knitting here...
TRY A
NEW EFFECT!CUSHION
Using 4.5mm needles,
cast on 124 sts
£ Rib row 1 (RS): k1, p1,
rep from to end
This row sets Single rib
£ Cont in Single rib until
work meas 5cm, ending
after a WS row
Change to 5mm needles
£ Working from Chart
or written instructions
above, work in Cross
Cable Pattern until work
measures 90cm from
cast-on edge, ending
after a WS row
Change to 4.5mm
needles
£ Work in Single rib
for 2.5cm, ending after
a WS row
from * to last three
sts, p3
£ Row 5: as Row 1
£ Row 7: p3, work
six st cross cable, *
p2, k6, p2, work six st
cross cable, rep from
* to last three sts, p3
£ Row 8: k3, p6, * k2,
p6, rep from * to last
three sts, k3
Rows 1-8 set Cross
Cable patt£ Next row (RS,
buttonhole): rib 21,
* k2tog, yfwd, rib
18, rep from * to last
three sts, rib to end
£ Cont in Single rib
until rib section meas
5cm, ending after a
RS row
£ Cast off in ribTO MAKE UP
Block lightly. Overlap
the buttonhole
band on top of the
button band and
position centrally
on back of cushion.
Sew side seams.
Weave in ends and
attach buttons. Insert
cushion pad LKThe deeper the texture, the softer and
cosier it feels, and aran yarn is a dream
for this chunky cushion. The raised cross
cable resembles a chain, and the offset
columns appear more densely packed
than they really are as this pattern has
plenty of stretch. Look to the right for
Jo’s step-by-step guide to mastering this
technique that uses two cable needles to
cross knit stitches – it’s easier in a
thicker yarn and big needles,
so give it a whirl!