Cable Question - PC3B

[knitcrazed]

i have a cable question when doing PC3B. According to the pattern I'm supposed to, Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work, k1; sl second st on cable needle to left needle, p1; k1 from cable needle.

I sliped the 2 sts as if to purl. My question is which st is considered the second st on the cable needle? Is it the one closest to right end of the cable needle or the left end? In other words:

<____|__|____>

is it the blue or the red st as best I could illustrate above?

Thanks... Keith

[knitqueen]

I would take it to mean the second stitch that you slipped, in other words the stitch closest to the left of your cable needle. If that wasn't the case and you were meant to work from the stitch closest to the right end of the cable needle, it would just say "P1, K1 from cable needle".

[suzeeq]

It would be the blue one - you count from the right tip.

[knitcrazed]

Thanks Knitqueen and Suzeeq. I have a couple clarifying questions. When placing the st back on to the left needle do I slip as to knit or purl? And would it be the same for PC3B and PC3F?

Thanks again for your help. I'm totally self-taught and appreciate the technical pointers.

Have a great holiday to all.

[suzeeq]

Yes, slip it back the same way you slipped it off.

[knitcrazed]

Sorry, so does that mean slip as to purl or knit if I slipped it off on to the cable needle as to purl?

[knitqueen]

It would be as if to purl. Once back on the working needle it needs to be in the same orientation as it was on the cable needle. If you slip knitwise you will twist the stitch.

[suzeeq]

The easiest way to remember is to slip them as if you're just using the other needle as an extension of the one they're on. Say the needles are like this ==> <== with the points facing, and you simply slide the stitches over to the other one

[knitcrazed]

Thanks you two. I'm now a PC3B/PC3F expert.