Learn to Crochet the Simple Cable Stitch

Probably my favourite cable stitch of all time, nice and simple, very pettite. Ideal for edging on your project, or some interesting pattern when combined with another pattern.

Let’s get started

To begin with the standard layout, the cable stitch requires 3 rows, one for the base row, one for the actual stitches, and one for the closing row. It is ideal that the base row is worked on the wrong side, as obvious so you can work the actual stitches on the right side. This will also mean that the closing row will be worked on the wrong side.

Stitch Challenge

These are the basic crochet skills needed to be able to crochet the pattern.

  • sl st – slip stitch
  • ch – chain
  • sc – single crochet

Stitch Standards

I am using the US/International Standard Crochet Terms

Foundation Chains

This stitch requires multiple of 3 stitches + 2 + additional 1 for the base chain
Example: If you want to make 5 cable stitches, you would make 15 (3 x 5) chains to start with, then add extra 2 chains, and another chain which will give you a total of 18 chains. So let’s do that!
Chain 18.

Row 1 (R)

Skip the first chain and single crochet into the next chain. Single crochet into the next chain and each chain across. You can make your stitches in either the top loop or the back ridge of each chain. You should have 17 single crochet for this row.

Row 2 (W)

So this is our base row. Chain 1 and single crochet into the first stitch. Single crochet in each of the next stitch all the way across. You should have 17 single crochet for this row.

Row 3 (R)

Chain 1. Single crochet into the first stitch.
* Chain 3. Skip the next 2 stitches, and single crochet into the next stitch. Turning your work over, work 1 single crochet on the top loop of each of the 3 chains previously made. Slip stitch on the next single crochet. Turn your back to the front, and work 1 single crochet in each of the 2 stitches skipped, working at the back of the stitches just made.
You have made your first cable stitch. Repeat * all the way across until you only have 1 stitches left. Just work 1 single crochet into the last stitch. You should still have 17 stitches.

Row 4 (W)

This row will be a little bit tricky, we need to keep the 17 stitches for this row. So chain 1 and single crochet into the first stitch. Notice that the back of the cable stitch has 2 stitches, and the 3rd is actually the top of the cable stitch, which is quite a challenge to work another single crochet. We need to have 3 single crochet on each cable stitch. To do this, * work 2 single crochet on the next stitch, then 1 single crochet into the next stitch. Skip the next stitch (which is the top of the cable stitch). Repeat * all the way across. Work 1 single crochet into the last stitch.
That’s it, you can work another row of single crochet to balance this sample.

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