cabling in the land of illusions

 

A couplet in smaller characters was inscribed vertically on either side of the arch:

Truth becomes fiction when the fiction’s true;
Real becomes not-real where the unreal’s real

– Cao Xueqin, The Story of the Stone: Vol 1

THE LO-DOWN

we love cables! but often times, we find that faux cabling fits life on the go a bit better (no bothering with a cable needle when riding on a train, plane or automobile).  this faux cable stitch is really a simple rib stitch with a twist — every few rows, a slipped stitch is passed over 2 knitted stitches.  as an added bonus, the back of the piece is a neat K1, P3 rib stitch — making it a cable with a neat and presentable back-side.

which begs the question: is it a cable illusion, or a really great stitch?

one more thing to note: the swatch stretches out a lot horizontally when lightly steamed.  before blocking, it measured a 4″ square. post steaming, it grew 3/4″ in width.

THE LO-LO-DOWN

YARN J&V Baby Camel (worsted weight)
COLOUR Grey Grey
NEEDLE US6 / 4mm
SIZE (WxH) 4¾ x 4”  lightly steamed
STS 27 sts x 24 rows
LEVEL Basic to Intermediate
TYPE 

 

Slipped Stitches; Faux Cable
SWATCH CONSTRUCTION

CO 27 stitches (multiples of 4+1 repeat)

R1 (RS): K1 (edge), *P1, K3, repeat from * six times, then P1, K1 (edge) [27 sts]
R2: K1 (edge), *K1, P3, repeat from * six times, then K1, K1 (edge) [27 sts]
R3: K1 (edge), *P1, Sl1 (knitwise), K2, PSSO (pass slipped st over) last 2 sts that you just knit, repeat from * six times, then P1, K1 (edge) [21 sts]
R4: K1 (edge), *K1, P1, purl the horizontal bar formed by the PSSO in the prior row, P1, repeat from * six times, then K1, K1 (edge) [27 sts]

Repeat R1 – R4 until desired length.  The swatch above was knit over 24 rows.

RELATED PATTERNS

we’re working as fast as we can.  check back soon!

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