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workshop for avoiding a gap between the cable and the background pattern is to work into the back of the stitch following a cable to tighten up the space...
May, 2001 tips and ideas
XEROX Doc-It sturdy plastic envelopes are great storage containers (small ones for dpns & a catch-all for accessories, and larger ones for pattern books & swatches)...
To prevent holes when working intarsia, knit the first stitch with the tail to the left instead of to the right. When you knit the next stitch, the thread will cross on the back. This "cross" holds the stitch in place and keeps the stitch from growing, Even though the first stitch is crossed, the stitch looks normal from the knit side...
Cable needles are available in different sizes, in angled shapes, fish hook style or straight. What kind of cable needle works best? Actually, it is a matter of knitter's preference -- whatever feels comfortable to you. The angled needles have the advantage that the stitches won't slip off the needle as easily, so these are a good choice for knitters learning to work cables for the first time...
June 2001 tips and ideas
Lois Ribblet asked us to print information about how to center a cable or motif onto a knitted piece. Here's how: deduct the number of sts from the cable or motif from the total number of sts, then divide the remaining number in half for each side. For example, if the total number of sts on the knitted piece is 80 sts and you wish to center a 16 sts cable, subtract 16 sts from 80 sts to equal 64. Divide this number in half (32 sts). Now, work 32 sts in pattern as established, work the 16 sts of the cable, and work the remaining 32 sts in the pattern as established. Always remember to account for gauge, as cables have a tendency to pull in and you may need to add more sts to the background to achieve the desired width.
July 2001 tips and ideas
This method comes from Ingrid Reed, who gave us permission to re-print it from KnitU. Ingrid tells us that this technique makes a neat "woven" seam down each side, and both heels look alike. Our thanks to Ingrid for sharing this with us:
--- Knit to last st, turn, slip 1, purl to last st, turn.
--- Knit to slipped stitch, wrap it, turn.
--- Purl to slipped stitch, wrap, and turn.
Always wrap in the opposite direction of your work; i.e., bring the yarn to the front on a knit row, and to the back on a purl row. Continue thusly until half the sts remain. Make sure you have an even number of wrapped sts on each side. Knit to the first wrapped stitch, knit it and turn. With the right-hand needle, pick up the wrap and leave it on the needle. Slip the next st, and purl to the next wrapped stitch, and do the same. When you get back to the wrap, knit it together through the back loop with the next stitch, turn, and pick up that wrap. Purl 2 together wrap and next stitch, on the other side. Continue in this fashion until you've finished each side.
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