cableknit

Cableknit is a knitting technique used to produce raised, twisting patterns that resemble braided cables on fabric. The resulting ridges run vertically or diagonally across the material and create a textured, decorative effect that is both structural and visual.

To form a cable, a small group of stitches is temporarily held on a cable needle and moved to the front or back of the work while the remaining stitches are knitted. After knitting the next stitches, the held stitches are knitted to complete the cross, producing a cable twist. The pattern’s appearance depends on the number of stitches crossed and the direction of the cross.

Patterns vary from simple to complex. Common basics include 2x2 or 3x3 cables, which cross two or three stitches at a time, while more elaborate designs weave multiple strands into braided motifs. Cable motifs can be charted for precision and are typically worked on the right side, with purling on the wrong side to maintain consistency.

Cableknit is widely used in sweaters, scarves, hats, and blankets, and is a hallmark of traditional Aran and fisherman's sweaters. In contemporary knitwear, cables add texture, warmth, and visual interest, often serving as panels, yokes, or borders.

Materials and care: yarns with good stitch definition, such as wool or wool blends, best reveal cables. Cablework requires careful tension and blocking to settle the pattern; yarn care instructions should be followed to preserve the knit’s shape and texture.