Cabling Question

Aramis3737 · 08-14-2010, 04:11 PM

Hello All,

I'm working on this brilliant pattern (Avast, seen here at Knitty: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTavast.html) and am cabling for the first time.

Working on the cabled band section of the sweater, I noticed that I've been slipping sts differently/incorrectly, and though I still have a nice effect in the cable pattern, it isn't identical to the photos on Ravelry.

My question is: by slipping sts going into the st from above (as a purl slip) rather than from below (as a knit slip) have I really flubbed the entire pattern? Do cables still come out okay in a mirror-effect kind of way?

Thanks in advance!

suzeeq · 08-14-2010, 10:48 PM

Always slip the sts to the cable holder purlwise - with the point of the L needle facing the point of the cable needle, slide the sts from one to the other. We'd have to see a picture of your sts to see why they don't look like the others.

Aramis3737 · 08-15-2010, 12:21 AM

That's fantastic! I've been doing it right then - maybe the yarn itself wasn't the best choice, as I've noticed some others' versions came out clearer using different yarns. Fuzzy yarn maybe isn't the greatest for cabling? I tried taking photos but my camera is too crummy and the sts blurred :o/

Thank you so much for the helping hand! I'm cabeling with confidence here...

suzeeq · 08-15-2010, 01:22 AM

A smoother yarn is usually better, but you can still see the cables if it's fuzzy.

Aramis3737 · 08-15-2010, 02:01 AM

My particular cable needle is rather unwieldy: metal and about a US6.5...do you recommend wood or plastic?

etoilechaude · 08-15-2010, 03:31 AM

For most projects I use metal needles, but I find that using a wood DPN in a couple needle sizes smaller than the needle I'm working with is the easiest way to do cables.

The cable needles with a little "dip" in them to keep the stitches in place are nice too, my LYS carries them in a beautiful ebony wood, but they're a little more pricey than I'd like to spend.

lissaplus2 · 08-15-2010, 03:56 AM

I use whatever i have on hand, another dpn, crochet hook, pencil, darning needle, straw, ect.....whatever will hold the stitches for a min....if i use a cable needle at all. I actually do have a cable needle, its a metal horseshoe shape. I love it, you can put the stitches on the cable needle and just let it hang. The straight ones with a little groove in them....not so much.

When you get REAL brave, (and you have the right yarn) you can cable without a cable needle.

This is awesome that your cabling!!

Aramis3737 · 08-15-2010, 04:42 AM

hahaha thanks for the cheers! the icon is reminiscent of my face when you said "without a cable needle." oh my fur and whiskers - sounds like a slippery slope! but yes, i'm finding this little straight metal cable needle with the groove is meh, often clanging to the floor to remind me that i'm new at this. I'll hunt for a horseshoe shaped one (maybe in bamboo, Evan?) and cable my heart out! Thanks for the help and encouragement gang!