Knitting Cables In The Round {A How To Guide}

Knitting Cables In The Round

1. Read through your pattern

   
   Read through your chosen pattern and check the cable repeat pattern.
   
   See if the pattern includes written instructions or a chart or both.
   
   

2. Change the cable repeat pattern

   
   When changing the flat knit cable repeat rows you can re-write them in your notebook, so that you can follow it easily when knitting in the round.
   
   When knitting in the round there are no wrong side rows, every row is the right side.
   
   This means that all of the right side rows (RS) in the pattern will stay the same.
   
   You will only need to change the wrong side rows (WS).
   
   To convert a wrong side row, change all of the knit stitches to purl stitches and all of the purl stitches to knit stitches.
   
   

3. Time to cast on and join in the round

   
   Cast on the number of stitches given in your pattern on your circular needles or DPNs and join the stitches to knit in the round.
   
   You will work the first row – the RS right side row as it is written in your pattern.
   
   Work the setup rows that you need to work before the cable, changing any stitches on the WS rows (See step 2 if you need help).
   
   

4. Knit the cable

   
   Knit the cable row in your pattern.
   
   For example, if you are working a C4B – cable 4 back, you would slip 2 sts onto your cable needle, and hold it at the back of the work.
   
   Then knit the 2 sts on the left-hand needle, with the CN (cable needle) at the back of the work.
   
   Bring the cable needle to the front of the work and knit the 2 sts on that.
   
   Complete the rest of the row according to your pattern (this will be a right side row).
   
   

5. Example – Cable knit flat

   
   In this example, I will be using Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers Pattern.
   
   This is the first cable pattern knit flat on two needles:
   
   Cable 1
   1. K2, P2, C24F, K 24
   2. P 24, K2, P2 to end of row
   3. K2, P2 – 28sts, K 24
   4. P 24, K2, P2 to end of row
   5. K2, P2 – 28sts, K 24
   6. P 24, K2, P2 to end of row
   7. K2, P2 – 28sts, K 24
   8. P 24, K2, P2 to end of row
   
   

6. Example – Cable converted to knit in the round

   
   This is the first cable pattern converted:
   
   Cable 1
   1. K2, P2, C24F, K24.
   2. K2, P2 – 28 sts, K 24 sts.
   Rep round 2 – 6 more times.
   
   

7. Conclusion

   
   If the pattern is written for knitting cables in the round, just follow the instructions as they are.
   
   If the pattern you have is for knitting cables flat on straight needles and you want to convert to knitting in the round, then change the wrong side rows – knit stitches become purl stitches and purl stitches become knit stitches.
   
   If the instructions say that you should knit the knit stitches and purl the purls – then you can follow those pattern instructions without making any changes, for the cable stitches will be knit while the background stitches are pulled.