Cable Knitting Questions

[EriBear]

Hey guys. When trying to knit cables, can you cast on using the sling shot method that Amy teaches or is there a certain cast on that works better? I'm not quite understanding how the whole process works, like which type of stitch you start off with after you cast on. I did see the video that Amy created with the cables but I'm still a little confused. Also, when you finish the project, how do you bind off?

[Susan P.]

Not sure what you mean by 'sling shot' method on Amy's site..but the cable cast on should be ideal because of it's flexibility and slight stretchiness. The way I learned to cast on (and still do) isn't shown on Amy's site but is a variation on a method she uses. I use the basic knit cast off. Depending on what your item is, I often knit stockinette or moss stitch before starting the cable - and after - because cable will tend to pull up the edge of say a scarf or wrap and often I want to avoid that.

[Susan P.]

I was wrong..the 'Knitting On' method is what I learned years ago and have stuck to. For me it does have a tendency to be a little loose and I think it a good method for people who find they cast on too tightly. I think it a problematic cast on for evenness of tension however.

[redwitch]

All castons create a row of stitches that you can knit from and I don't think any one has an advantage for cables. Some are stretchy, some are fast or easy to do, some look really nice, some are better for lace, but none is necessary for cables.
Most cables are done on a stocking stitch background: that is, a 6-stitch cable (3 stitches crossing over the other 3) is usually done on 6 stitches of stocking stitch, cabled every 6 or whatever rows. This stocking stitch column with cables every few rows is usually on a reverse stocking stitch background, but sometimes a garter background. The first cable/twist row is usually a few rows after the caston row. Cabling is pretty irrelevant to your choice of caston: base your choice of caston on whatever you would use for the item if it were not cabled. This could be tubular if you want a stretchy caston for ribbing, or double caston if you like it and don't want to bother learning a new way, or backwards loop if you like it and find it easiest, or provisional if you want to pick up the stitches as live stitches later. Usually the fact that you will be cabling later does not affect your choice of caston.
There is a caston called cable caston, I quite like this one, it's pretty. This has nothing to do with actually cabling later on.

You know how a cable is a rope? And when you cable in knitting the twists kind of look like the twists in a rope? A 'cabled caston' makes the caston edge look a bit like the twists in a rope too, or just like a rope or cord, but is irrelevant to whether you will be cabling in the knitting further on.

Check out the videos for casting off if you want to learn how, or instructions online (Google).

Sarah

P.S. for a cable that crosses entirely one way - this one's two stitches going left or right altogether over a purl background rather than st st.s crossing over each other - check out the Ropes and Ladders scarf, gorgeous and easy.

[EriBear]

Thank you all for your very detailed answers! Those will help me out a lot when I try to do cabling for the first time. I do have one question that I forgot to ask in my original post. OOPS! When you work a row with a cable, do you have to turn the work like you do when you do stockinette or knitting? I am working on regular knitting needles not double pointed or circular needles.

[suzeeq]

You work cable the same way you do stockinette or ribbing, turning at the end of the row. Most cable patterns are like ribbing in that the cables are usually done with purl stitches on either side. Like purl 8, knit 6, purl 8, etc. And your `slingshot' caston is actually called Long tail CO, so as not to confuse others.... :D

[Susan P.]

suzeeq..what a gem you are :-) Slingshot reminded me of the question posed about boob sizes recently on a thread. I remember when I was pregnant being given a bra that I thought could have fitted the prize cow in the local show..and then finding I would actually wear the darn thing when I started to breast feed! Sling shot!

Just remember Eribear that the 'back' of cable may look a little strange at first..you may see what you think are holes "OMG!!" but they will disappear as the cable increases

[suzeeq]

Yeah, and the back looks puckery because of the crossed stitches. Don't worry about it.

sue

[EriBear]

You are right suzeeq! I couldn't think of the name...it IS Long Tail Cast On. Thank you guys for helping me out on this. It is my first cable project. I haven't tried it yet but am really excited to.