I have always loved cables, but most of the cabled sweaters and accessories I saw were knitted. Surely, I thought, you can crochet cables. Then I was introduced to the beauty of crocheted cables, and I was hooked.

Sólás Caomh by Jodi Euchner

Strands of crocheted post stitches step around and behind each other in an elegant dance. The steps create the swirls of a crocheted cable.

But like the steps of a dance, learning just where to place your hook when working cables can take a bit of practice-and an instructor is always welcome. Robyn Chachula is just that instructor in Interweave Crochet Presents A Step-By-Step Guide to Crochet Cables with 5 Favorite Staff Pattens. Robyn will guide you through the construction of a variety of cables, and the staff favorite patterns will walk you from your very first easy cable to the more complicated construction of the Sólás Caomh baby afghan.

Here are a few tips I have learned to help guide you as you begin your own crocheted cable journey:

1. Keep your pattern close at hand.  Even advanced crocheters refer to the pattern when working the cable-cross rows of a cable. Sometimes it's hard to remember if you work the second set of stitches over or under the previously worked strand of the cable. With eBooks, I keep the pattern on my laptop, which travels with me wherever I go. Of course, eBooks make great travel companions. Plus the pages never wear out! 

Curried Cable Jacket by Pricila Gomes

2. Practice working behind the stitches just worked. With cables, the "strands" weave over and under each other. To create this woven construction, you skip stitches, and then work over the top of or behind the stitches just worked. When working behind the stitches just created, work into the skipped stitches from front to back as normal. 

If you have trouble inserting your hook in the skipped stitches, pull the skipped stitches to the left of the cable strand already worked (above). Once you have worked into the skipped stitches, allow those stitches to fall back behind the top strand of the cable. 

3. Minimize gaps. Long stitches, such as treble crochets, worked over skipped stitches can become loose. Pull the loop on your hook tight before yarning over. When working the stitch, hold the yarn overs and original loop close together when yarning over and drawing through the loops. 

4. Choose the right crochet hook. When you are working those long stitches, like the treble crochets, the beginning loop is pushed up the shaft. If you are using a hook that widens at the shaft the initial loop will become too large. Try using a hook that has an even shaft. I've found that short Tunisian hooks work very well.

One for All Family of Mitts by Doris Chan

5. And finally, don't let the intricate look of crochet cables intimidate you. Use these tips and jump in. To get started, try the One for All Family of Mitts, a great first cable pattern. 

In our newest eBook, Robyn Chachula teaches you how to used post stitches to create a variety of beautifully crafted cables. Download Interweave Crochet Presents A Step-By-Step Guide to Crochet Cables and enjoy the twists and turns of creating your own beautiful cables.

 Best wishes,