How to Cable Without a Cable Needle

Cabling without a cable needle (or DPN, or whatever you may use to cable) is a handy trick to have in your knitting arsenal.  Suppose you forget to pack your cable needles - you can still work on your project!  

This is particularly useful when making small cables also.  Who wants to fuss with a cable needle to cross only two or three stitches?

Of course, if you feel comfortable only using a cable needle, there is nothing wrong with that.  If you like cables, but the idea of messing around with a third needle doesn't sound like fun, then give this technique a try.  It really is very easy to do!

Probably the biggest cable I would do this with is an eight stitch cable - any more than that might get a bit tricky.  Go with whatever you feel comfortable with.

To make a Right Cross:

Slip the designated number of stitches from your left needle.  For our example, we are doing a 6 stitch cable, so slip six stitches off your left needle.   The first three stitches are Set One.  The last three stitches are Set Two.

With the left needle, reach BEHIND Set Two and slip Set One back onto the left needle.

Now, grab Set Two with your right needle and slip them back onto the left needle.  Proceed with your knitting.

To make a Left Cross:

Slip the designated number of stitches from your left needle.  Again, let's use 6 as an example.

With the left needle, reach IN FRONT of Set Two and slip Set One back onto the left needle.

Now, grab Set Two with your right needle and slip them back onto the left needle.  Proceed with your knitting.

Doesn't that sound easy?  If not, don't worry.  It made no sense to me the first time I read these instructions either.  After reading the instructions a few more times, I sort of had it.  Then, after actually trying it out, I had this down!  Now I almost never use a cable needle.

Again, you should do whatever is most comfortable for you.  Here is a video to help if you are more of a visual learner.

Happy Cabling!

Autumn Acorn Cowl

My favorite time of year is fast approaching - Autumn!  I love the smells, the colors, and the crisp feel of the air.

I designed a cowl for my favorite time of year that uses the Acorn Cable Stitch, and a yarn that reflects the colors of fall.  You can use any color you choose, of course!

The yarn I used can be purchased here:
http://www.herrschners.com/product/Lighthouse+Waves+Yarn+1.aspx


The pattern can purchased and downloaded here:

Source: Autumn Acorn Cowl via SapphiresnPurls on Craftsy

S-n-P Podcast Episode 15

Hi everyone!  It's certainly been quite a while since I did a show.  Now that the weather is warmer, I can sit outside to record.

Here are the things I talk about in this episode, in no particular order

Magazines (you can find links to each of these in the Magazine tab at the top of the blog)
Filati Handknitting - Home
Filati Pocket
The Knitter
Simply Knitting - free gift - wooden purse handles
Knit Today - free gift - some really sheep shaped yarn bobbins
Knitscene

Hobby Lobby Visit
I recently went to Hobby Lobby for the first time.  I loved their selection of knitting books, and while I typically do not knit with acrylic yarn, they did have some nice yarn also.  There were a few I liked, but in the end only got a few skeins of Andes Alpaca by Yarn Bee, in the color Camino.  I have decided to make my first top down shawl with this yarn.  I also got two pairs of rosewood needles - one having an inlay of mother of pearl on the top.  As you all know, I love my Addi Turbo neeldes, but am quickly becoming fond of the rosewood needles!


Autumn Acorn Cowl
This is my latest pattern, which is available for purchase on Craftsy.  This is a quick knit, using Lighthouse Waves yarn featuring the Acorn Cable stitch.  Even if you have never knit cables before, this is an easy stitch.  There is also a video tutorial of the stitch incase you need help with it.  I know the weather is beginning to warm up, and probably the last thing on your mind is making something to keep you warm.  The mornings and evenings are still rather chilly, and a little warmth around your neck can help keep away the chill.  Also, a lot of offices crank up the AC in the summer, and a cowl is nice to help keep the air off your neck.  And of course, if you make it now, you can have it ready to go when autumn/winter returns.

Project Bags
I've told you before about using those nifty little plastic bags that bras and bed sheets come in to take along a small project when you go on a trip, etc.  I recently purchased some sheets which came in a nice little cloth bag.  The extra pillow cases also come in little bags, which are perfect for a small project, needles, a few notions, and a copy of your pattern.  I love these!  They are soft, pretty and just the right size for carrying along where ever you go!  I got mine at Walmart, but I am sure you can find them in any store that sells sheets.

Longer Stitch Videos
You asked, and now you will receive!  An overwhelming majority of you voted to have longer videos demonstrating cable and lace stitches.  I will still be doing the shorter, less complicated stitch videos, but now will also be including longer videos too.  You can find all of the stitch videos over on The Weekly Stitch.

That is going to wrap it up for now.  You can find me on Facebook and Twitter.  Mostly on Facebook, Twitter is just for when I put up a new video or pattern mostly.  Feel free to send any questions, comments or suggestions to sapphiresnpurls at gmail dot com.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

Autumn Acorn Cowl

This is my latest pattern.  I chose the name because the colors of the yarn remind me of the beautiful fall colors, and the acorn cable stitch pattern I used.  You are, of course, free to use any color of yarn you like!  Gauge is not critical for this pattern, and feel free to substitute any other medium weight, similar yarn if you are not able to find the one I used.

This pattern uses a yarn called Waves, which is a 70% wool / 30% soy blend.  (Same as Patons SWS, which has been discontinued).

This is a fairly quick knit, and great for keeping the chill away.  You can purchase the pattern over on Craftsy.

Here are some pictures of the blocking and seaming done on the cowl.  Blocking is optional, but I do recommend it to open up the beautiful cable stitch pattern.  You don't need anything special to block the cowl.  I just pinned mine onto a towel on the bedroom floor.  Just be sure you have a place that is out of reach of toddlers, cats and any other curious creatures.

For the seaming up, use any method you like.  I like to sew under the stitches of the cast on and bind off edges, and pull the needle up through the loop of the yarn on the needle. This makes a firm seam that is nice and neat.

Here are the pictures, and there is also a video demonstration of the Acorn Stitch over on The Weekly Stitch, incase you need some help.

Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

Cowl being blocked

Finished seam on the right side 

Sewing the cast on and bind off edges together

Pulling the yarn through the loop to seam up