Bond Machine Knitting - Cables

Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 23:52:19 -0600
From: cpolfer@juno.com (Cindy S Polfer)
Subject: [BOND] FWP for 2 sts and cable crossings

Whenever you have two stitches on a needle and it doesn't like to knit,
place the needle(s) in FWP (forward working position - the needle
position that uses the yellow card) before knitting the row.  This
position helps the carriage to knit the stiches on the needle easier
because the carriage doesn't have to work hard to push needle forward to
get the stitches placed behind the latch before the new gets made.  I
also use this method of putting needles in FWP when knitting cables. 
After crossing the stitches, but before knitting the row, I place the
needles of the crossed stitches  PLUS 2 or 3 needles on either side of
the cable crossing into FWP.  This usually solves the problem of knitting
the cable stitches.  You just are giving your carriage a little h*lp!

CIndy Polfer - cpolfer@juno.com

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Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 09:34:28 -0600
From: "Ann Yotter" (gyotter@nash.tds.net)
Subject: Re: [BOND] quote and cables

>Machine knit cables can be done in many ways.  One of the ways is to
> knit a row or two beyond the cable twist row.  Manually rip back the one
> or two rows, but only those stitches that are involved in the cable
> twist.  Using your tools, twist the cable.  Manually knit the cable
> stitches.  Continue working your garment to the next cable twist and
> repeat this procedure.
> 
> You will find the tension to be more even, there will less strain on the
> needles, and the procedure will be easier on you once you have mastered
> it.  This is especially true with wider cables or yarn with less
> elasticity.

Thanks a lot for this tip!  I was just starting an afghan with cables and
this is working great.  I'd made it before, but my yarn this time seems to
have less give than the last time and this technique is doing a great job
on it.

I finally settled into a rhythm doing the cables, not even crossing until
the 2 rows were replaced on one side and it has really helped.  Saved a lot
of strain on the needles, too.

Ann in Tenn
gyotter@nash.tds.net

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Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 09:12:55 EST
From: Smithercol@aol.com
Subject: [BOND] Cable crossing tips

Some suggestions:  
Knit maybe three rows before you try to cross the cables.  E-wrap is not very
elastic.  This will give you more stretchability.  The cable cross will still
be very tight and the needles will bend slightly anyway.

Don't leave the side needles out of work.  Let them knit, then ravel them
down, do the cross, and then latch them back up a few rows later.  This gives
you much more yarn at the side of the cable for crossing.

Maybe you yarn is just not elastic enough for a 3 X 3 cable.  Try a 2 X 2
instead.

Take a separate piece of yarn for each vertical column of cables and carefully
hand knit an extra row of stitches on just the six cable stitches when you are
ready to cross.  Then do the cross and knit to the next cross.  Again use the
extra piece of yarn which you will carry vertically up the back and hand knit
an extra row again.  This will give you more ease in crossing.

Hope these help
Colleen in Ada MI
Smithercol@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/knitnotes/home

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Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 08:32:36 PST
From: "Debbie Phel" 
Subject: [BOND] Cable crossing tip

A tip in the 301 Hints and Tips says "If you leave 1 stitch in NWP on 
either side of the cable, it does not need to be ribbed up afterwards.  
The gap closes up naturally, leaving the cable more clearly delineated 
than without the gap."

I tried this on an afghan out of worsted weight, and it looks really 
nice!  Just remember when you start the cable,  move the side stitches  
over to the next needles so they won't run; and when you stop the cable, 
put the needles back into WP and knit from there, or pull up a bump from 
the row beneath (like increasing).

Debbie Phelps in Alaska
dphel@hotmail.com

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Author : Steph Thornton.
Last modified on : 1st December 1998.