Crocheting Cables Photo How-To and Free Pattern

Four-Stitch Cable Afghan Square
Designed by Sandi Marshall

Cables can be crocheted in many variations. Following are the directions to do a practice square for cables that are crocheted over four stitches. Refer to the photos below the row 5 instructions, for a visual understanding of how cables are made.

Materials Used In The Example:
Worsted weight yarn - 2 oz. beige
US Size G crochet hook

Finished Size For One Square: 6 1/4" x 6 1/4"
Gauge:
On row 2: 7 hdc stitches across = 2 inches
5 cable rows (rows 3 - 7) = 2 inches

Abbreviations:
bptr = back post triple
ch = chain
fptr = front post triple
hdc = half double crochet
ea = each
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
sts = stitches

How To Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over hook, insert hook in stitch, yarn over hook, pull a loop through the stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through all three loops on the hook.

How To Front Post Triple (fptr): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook from front to back around the post of the stitch to be worked, yarn over hook, pull up a loop, then: (yarn over hook, draw yarn through two loops on hook) three times. In this pattern, the stitch behind the fptr is to be skipped.

fptr: This photo shows the crochet hook inserted from front to back around the post of the stitch to be worked (getting ready to do a front post triple stitch).

fptr (continued): This photo shows the yarn loop pulled through behind the post of the stitch to be worked (front post triple stitch, in progress).

How To Back Post Triple (bptr): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook from back to front around the post of the stitch to be worked, yarn over hook, pull up a loop, then: (yarn over hook, draw yarn through two loops on hook) three times. In this pattern, the stitch behind the bptr is to be skipped.

Starting Chain: Chain 24.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in ea sc across. (23 sc)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in ea sc across. (23 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), * (fptr in next st, hdc in next st) twice, fptr in ea of next 4 sts, hdc in next st, repeat from * one time, then (fptr in next st, hdc in next st) twice.
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), * (bptr in next st, hdc in next st) twice, bptr in ea of next 4 sts, hdc in next st, repeat from * one time, then (bptr in next st, hdc in next st) twice.
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), (fptr in next st, hdc in next st) twice, * skip next 2 sts, fptr in ea of next 2 sts; next, working in front of the 2 sts just worked, fptr in ea of the 2 skipped sts, hdc in next st, (fptr in next st, hdc in next st) twice, repeat from * one time.

Cable, In Progress: Row 5 detail - This photo shows two stitches skipped, with the fptr worked in each of the next 2 stitches.

Cable, In Progress: Row 5 detail - This photo shows a fptr already crocheted around the post of the first skipped stitch and the hook inserted under the post of the second skipped stitch, ready to do a fptr around the post of that stitch.

Cable, Completed: A four-stitch cable completed.

Cable Row: This is how the square looks when completed through row 5.

Row 6: Repeat row 4.
Row 7: Repeat row 3.
Row 8: Repeat row 4.
Row 9: Repeat row 5.
Row 10: Repeat row 4.
Row 11: Repeat row 3.
Row 12: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in ea st across. (23 hdc)
Row 13: Ch 1, sc in ea hdc across. Do not end off.
Finishing Round: Ch 1, then, working down outside edge of rows: sc in end of the sc row, (2 sc around post of the end hdc of next row) 11 times altogether, sc in end of the sc row, ch 1, sc in same stitch as sc just made, sc in ea st across bottom row until you reach the last sc. (sc, ch 1, sc) in last sc of bottom row. Next, working along other side: (2 sc around post of the end hdc of next row) 11 times altogether. (sc, ch 1, sc) in end of sc row. Sc in ea st across top row. Sl st in first sc of this round, to join.
End off. Weave in ends.

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Copyright: This cable how-to and pattern copyright 2003 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Free for your own personal use only.

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