PurlbedCables and lace › Cables and twists
Small cables in rib-transfer jersey columns
Rope-like crossings inside narrow smooth columns framed by purl stitches within a wider rib. Two 2-prong transfer tools lift two pairs; place right pair on left needles while holding left pair clear, then left pair on right needles → 2×2 cross.
- Two beds
Machine types that can knit it
Demo swatch
Drawn for: Double-bed hand flat (V-bed)Approximate preview worked out from the bed chart, not a photo.Crossings are marked as transfers in the chart; the preview cannot show the twist.
Steps
- Establish rib with 4-stitch jersey columns framed by single opposite-bed stitches.
- Cross per above.
- Knit ≥4 rows.
- Repeat.
The full card
- What it looks like
- Rope-like crossings inside narrow smooth columns framed by purl stitches within a wider rib.
- How it behaves
- raised twisted relief, vertical.
- How it works
- Two 2-prong transfer tools lift two pairs; place right pair on left needles while holding left pair clear, then left pair on right needles → 2×2 cross.
- Machines
- Single or double bed; two multi-prong transfer tools. Domestic: needles forward after crossing; V-bed: knit slowly, hold fabric down.
- Parameters
- cable width (2×2), rows between crosses (≥4; book uses 5), direction, which columns.
- Steps
- 1) Establish rib with 4-stitch jersey columns framed by single opposite-bed stitches. 2) Cross per above. 3) Knit ≥4 rows. 4) Repeat.
- Charting
- Step diagram: X of two diagonal strokes spanning the crossed needles (one stroke continuous = top strand, one broken = under), the frame needles shown as bars, crossed needles' bed shown as dots under the X.
- Limits and common problems
- <4 rows between crosses → excess tension, yarn breaks.
- Combines with
- lace-in-jersey, rib-twist-2x2.
- Pieces and assembly
- n/a.
Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.