How to Knit Cables for Beginners & a New Headband Pattern!

Amanda

1 year ago

Today, we’re going to knit a cabled headband. This is a simple pattern, where we’re going to discuss how to knit cables for beginners!

I also want to share with you a new cast on method that is similar to the knitted cast on, but looks so pretty! It’s called the Twisted Knit Cast On. Its nice and easy and you will love it.

As a beginner, the perfect first project for cables is a headband,. When stitching the 2 ends together, so the look of our cast on isn’t a big concern for this project, but I wanted to introduce this cast on because it’s so simple and looks so nice. I tend to use this one most of the time when I’m starting a new project.

Alright, let’s get to it!

Twisted knit cast on

This is started with a slip knot, then knit the first stitch, slipping it onto the left needle as we do in a normal knitted cast on.

Then, insert your knitting needles between the 2 stitches on your needles, not into the last stitch, yarn over, and draw it back through same as with the knitted cast on, and add the stitch to the left needle.

TIP: insert your right needle back between the last 2 stitches before tightening your yarn.

Continue in this fashion until you have the desired number of stitches! Simple, right?

Ok, so let’s talk beginner cables!

How to Cable

Cables can be worked in any number of stitches, but the more you put on the cable needle, the looser your tension needs to be. Today, we’re going to do a simple 6 stitch cable pattern. This means 3 stitches on each side of the twist.

TIP: make sure you include a purl stitch on either side of your cables so they pop better on your work. If you don’t add the purl, it’ll look more like a Celtic weave.

To do a cable, you’ll need a cable needle. This is important because it’ll hold your stitches while you work.

While working the pattern, I’ve set 6 knits in our set-up row where we will do our cables, twice, because we will do both options in this one.

To make a simple cable, left leaning, take 3 stitches and slip them on to your cable needle, hold it to the front of your work. Then knit 3 stitches from your left needle, and (without twisting) knit the 3 stitches from your cable needle.

To make a right leaning cable, put your 3 stitches onto your cable needle, and hold them behind your work. Knit 3 stitches from your left needle, and (without twisting), knit the 3 from the cable needle.

That’s it! And it looks so pretty!

Cables have so many variations and combinations that can take them from this simple cable, to a pretty braid, to an intricate woven fabric, like a Celtic knot. There’s so many options! My favourite is a braid, but today we’re going to make a simple cabled headband/ear warmer. See pattern below.

Cabled Ear Warmer – Anna Knit Headband Pattern

Materials: 4.5mm knitting needles, 1/2 skein of worsted weight yarn, & cable needle. You may also want a crochet hook or darning needle for stitching your 2 ends together and weaving in ends.

If you’d like: Knitting Needle Set to get you started & Yarn

Yarn I’m using: Loops & Threads Impeccable Brights, in Popsicle Blue

Gauge: 16st x 20 rows to make 4×4″ square

Notes: We are using our straight edges method discussed in this post. Insert your needle as if you’re going to purl, and slip to the right needle. Do not work the stitch. Purl the last stitch on every row.

Pattern:

Cast on 22

Row 1: Slip 1st st purlwise, k1, p1, k6, p1, k2, p1, k6, p1, k1, p1.

Row 2: Slip 1st st purlwise, p1, k1, p6, k1, p2, k1, p6, k1, p2.

Row 3 (1st Cable Row): slip 1st st purlwise, k1, p1, slip 3 to cable needle, hold in front, knit 3 from left needle, knit 3 from the cable needle, p1, k2, p1, slip 3 to cable needle, hold in back, knit 3 from left needle, knit 3 from cable needle, p1, k1, p1.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: Repeat Row 1.

Row 6-7, Repeat Row 2 & 1 again.

Row 8: Repeat Row 3.

Continue Following Row 3-7, until ear warmer measures 22” long for an adult. Fasten off leaving a long tail and stitch the 2 ends together. Weave in ends.

If you’d like to adjust the sizing, measure around the head of the person you’re sizing, over the ears, top of the head, and behind the neck.