Reversible 1x1 Rib Cable Knitting Pattern for Stoles, Shawls & Mufflers
A cable that looks fine from both sides, because the cable itself is knitted in rib. Just what you want for a muffler or shawl where both sides show.
The special thing about this cable is that it looks different on each side, but fine on both. You can see a cable from the front and from the back. So for a stole, shawl or muffler, where both sides are on show, it's perfect.
Cast on a lot more
This pattern pulls in very tightly. For the width of 100 normal stitches you'll need about 160, so 60% extra. I didn't knit a border on my sample, because the pattern shrinks so much. I started it directly after casting on.
Stitch count
Multiples of 8, plus 6 for the edges. My swatch is 54 stitches; I teach it on 22.
What you'll need
- Any wool. For a muffler, a soft wool or merino is lovely against the neck
- Knitting needles to suit your yarn
- A cable needle (optional, since you can cross 3 over 3 without one)
The right twist
On every right-side row, the 2-stitch columns are twisted: knit the second stitch first without dropping it, then knit the first stitch, and drop both together.
The 6-row pattern
- Row 1 (RS):right side
Knit 1, purl 1 (two edge stitches, kept like this all the way up). *Right twist, then purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.* Repeat. With 4 stitches left: right twist, purl 1, knit 1.
- Row 2 (WS):wrong side
Slip 1. Work the stitches as they appear: knit 1, then *purl 2 (the twisted pair), knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.* Repeat, ending with purl 2, knit 1, purl 1.
- Row 3 (RS):right side
Slip 1, purl 1, then work as row 1.
- Row 4 (WS):wrong side
As row 2.
- Row 5 (RS, cable row):right sidecable row
Slip 1, purl 1. *Right twist. Then cross the next 6 stitches 3 over 3: hold the first 3 behind, and work the next 3 as purl 1, knit 1, purl 1. Then work the 3 held stitches the same way.* Repeat. With 4 left: right twist, purl 1, knit 1.
- Row 6 (WS):wrong side
As row 2.
Repeat these 6 rows. The 3-over-3 cable crosses every sixth row, and the little twists run up between the cables.
- reversible cable
- rib cable
- cable knitting
- muffler pattern
- shawl knitting
- stole
- hand knitting
- wool
