Crochet Cables
Crochet cables are easier to manage than you might assume. The visual look of the braiding going in and out and around each other is an illusion that is easy to accomplish.
This stitch can be accomplished with any size hook and/or yarn choice. You just have to ensure the yarn compliments the hook in sizing. For example, I have accomplished this design using Bernat's Baby Blanket Yarn that is really thick requiring a 10 mm or N size crochet hook.
The trick to making the project bigger is knowing to keep each multiple in sets of 12 stitches. When doing your first chain, your chain must be in groups of 12 to work. At the end of the chain, you must add 5 extra chains to ensure the entire project will stay in balance in appearance. I explain this in the video tutorial.
Each cable consists of 9 stitches with each part of the braid of the cable consists of 3 stitches.
To Make Different Sizes
Multiple of 12 sts + 5.
Remember the + number at the end of the sentence means that you are to add chains at the very end to maintain the pattern as written.
Written Instructions
- Using yarn and hook that compliment each other.
- Abbreviations CH - chain, DC - Double Crochet, STS - Stitch(es), FPDC - Front Post Double Crochet, HDC - Half Double Crochet, BPDC - Back Post Double Crochet, FPTR - Front Post Treble Crochet.
- Chain in multiples of 12 across. At the end of the chain, add 5 extra chains. DC into 4th CH from the hook and into each chain across. Turn.
- CH 3, DC into next two stitches. * Skip 3 STS FPTR into each of the next 3 sts. Place 1 FPTR into each of the skipped STS. 1 FPDC into next 3 available STS. DC into next 3 and repeat * again across. Final 3 stitches will be 1 DC into each.
- Ch 2, 1 HDC into next 2 STS. * BPDC into next 9 STS (back of the complete cable section) and 1 HDC into each of the next 3 sts. Repeat * across. Final 3 stitches will be 1 HDC into each.
- CH 3, DC into next two stitches. * 1 FPDC into next 3 sts. Skip 3 STS FPTR into each of the next 3 sts. Place 1 FPTR into each of the skipped sts. DC into the next 3 and repeat * again across. Final 3 stitches will be 1 DC into each.
- Ch 2, 1 HDC into next 2 sts. * BPDC into next 9 sts (part of the cable) and 1 HDC into each of the next 3 sts. Repeat * across. Final 3 stitches will be 1 HDC into each.
You will continue to repeat the cable rows 2 - 5 continuously until the end of your project. In the video, I have referred to these as repeating the cable rows 1 - 4 as there are only 4 rows that repeat each other.
For the finishing, you will just CH 3, and 1 DC into each across.
Need help to visualize this? Just follow my tutorial below.
Jean says
I have just learnt how to look things up on the computer and have been looking at all the different types of stitches and have found the one I would like to try when I have finished the doily I am doing at the moment.
I have never tried doing a rug, but after watching you Mikey doing the cable stitch i am going to have a go at.
I learnt to crochet when I was 13 years old and now I am nearly 70 I think it is time to try and do something different to doilies.
Thank you Mikey for your youtube lessons.
Nicole says
Thank you for the pattern and tutorial. You’re the best!
Gini Taboika says
Mikey, you rock! Thanks so much for the clear simplified instructions to crochet cables for any size. This is the second time you have taught me something that appeared complicated to actually be simple. Tunisian entrelac now cables ! I am feeling empowered and excited by all the possibilities. Do you have a Tunisian cable tutorial as well ? Thanks again. G