Cable Notation

Today I'm going to explain how I write cables in my written instructions. I almost always have a chart as well but charts aren't usable by everyone. There's days even I can't use one; if I'm experiencing a pain flare all ability to use a chart is out the window. 

I include this information in the note section of all of my cabled patterns, but it never hurts to have it other places too.

I write cables like this: a/b FC or a/b BC. 

"a" is the number of sts placed on hold on the cable needle.

"b" is the number of sts worked before returning to those on hold.

FC means the held sts are left at the Front of the work.

BC means the held sts are left to the Back of the work.

An example: 2/3 BC translates as "place next 2 sts on a cable needle and hold at the Back of the work, K3, K2 from the cable needle".

What if the instruction says a/b FPC or BPC? Excellent question. The P stands for purl and means the "behind" sts are purled instead of knit. These can be either the a or b sts depending on the cable.

For example: 1/2 BPC translated as "place the next st on a cable needle and hold at the Back of the work, K2, P1 from the cable needle".

Or you might see 2/2 FPC. The translation is "place next 2 sts on a cable needle and hold at the Front of the work, P2, K2 from the cable needle.

Clear as mud? If you can, see if the chart shows the crossing more clearly for you. If that's not feasible, or doesn't clear things up for you, send me a message at the email address in the sidebar of this blog and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Happy cable crossings!

Welcome

With the changes I'm making to Knit Dance Repeat Designs, I thought it was a good idea to start blogging again. This gives everything a homebase to tie to.

My standard bio is this:
My name is Síle (she-luh), and I taught myself to knit from a kit bought in a toy department when I was 12. I haven't really gone many days without knitting since! I love to knit cables and lace, and tend towards double-knitting when I want to play with color.

When not knitting, I enjoy Irish dancing; I spent quite a number of years as a performer of both solos and céilí dances before my back injury. I live on the not-so-tropical island of Newfoundland, part of Canada’s most easterly province Newfoundland & Labrador, and enjoy taking scenic walks, and visiting music venues and museums around St. John’s.

Knit Dance Repeat Designs was born out of my desire to design knitting patterns with intrinsic links to Irish dance. I often use the hashtag #knittingirishdancemashup on Instagram. I miss practices, learning new steps, pushing myself for better technique and higher jumps. I miss the stage, performing, and the audiences. I'm in physio for my injury; my hope is to get myself back to the point that I can dance again. That doesn't mean I can't pass on my knowledge and love for ID while I'm getting back there!

What can you expect from this space? Photos of in progress designs and other projects, new releases, photo tutorials of techniques I'm using in my patterns, cat photos (my roommate's pair love to "help" me), links to wherever my patterns can be found, other knitting and fiber related links, and my social media. Please note that I'm very careful about links with the on going accessibility issues with Ravelry. That's partially why I'm setting up this space: to move information from my Ravelry group to a safer, more accessible place for any knitters to see it.

So welcome to Knit Dance Repeat. Pull up a comfortable chair, grab a cuppa/glass/mug of your preferred beverage, and knit (or dance) along.