knitting cables

[mamagriz]

Hi Everyone
I am trying to learn how to knit cables, but when I put the 2 stitches on the knit holder and try to knit them off, they are VERY tight. Do you put the stitches on the cable needle as if to knit? And when you go to knit them off, Do you go left to right, front to back or right to left front to back?
Is there somewhere on the web with diagrams? I am a very visual person. Thanks

[misstialouise]

Always slip as if to purl unless otherwise stated.

[five_six]

I don't use a cable needle very often any more, but yes, you just slip them onto the cable needle so their orientation is the same as they were on the left needle (I suppose this means you slip them purlwise then, otherwise you'll be twisting the stitches), and when it comes time to knit them, you knit them in the order they appear as you normally would when knitting off the left needle. It's just as if you were holding a very small needle in your left hand that's all - so right to left. There should be heaps of stuff on the web if you google it, I wouldn't even know where to begin giving you links, but Amy has one here under decorative stitches you could look at.

[redwitch]

Are you a tight knitter? I am and I find cable stitches are a bit tight, but I think they will be a bit tight regardless as they are crossing such a distance, bound to make them a bit distorted and tight. You might like to knit them a bit more loosely on the row before you cable.
You do slip them purlwise, and knit them the same way you do for a normal knitting needle held in the left hand.

Sarah