Cable Without Cable Needles Face Cloth

I wanted to learn to knit cables. I do not own cable needles. No worries, I didn't need them! I also like quick little projects while I learn so that gratification comes quick.


Cotton yarn, worsted weight
Size 9-ish knitting needles
Tapestry needle to weave in ends


Cast on 24

Rows 1 - 4: K1, P1 across, repeat (4 rows total).

Row 5: K1, P1, K1, P1 (border). P4, K2, P4, K2, P4 (middle). K1, P1, K1, P1 (border).

Row 6: Border, K4, P2, K4, P2, K4, border.

Rows 7 & 8: Repeat rows 5 & 6.

Row 9: Border, P4. Slip 2 stitches off left needle (keep them in front of your work), purl next stitch on left needle, put slipped stitches back on left needle, knit those 2 stitches (first left cable movement!). P2. Slip 1 stitch off left needle (keep it behind your work), knit the next 2 stitches, put the slipped stitch back on the left needle and purl it (first right cable movement!). P4, border.

Row 10: Border, K5, P2, K2, P2, K5, border.

Row 11: Border, P5, left cable (slip 2 off needle, P1, knit 2 slipped stitches), right cable (slip 1 off needle, K2, purl slipped stitch), P5, border.

Row 12: Border, K6, P4, K6, border.

Row 13: Border, P6. Slip 4 stitches off of left needle (number 1, 2, 3, 4 from left to right), keep 1 and 2 in front of your work, put 3 and 4 back on left needle, then put 1 and 2 onto left needle too (new order: 3, 4, 1, 2), knit all 4 stitches (first left-over cable!). P6, border.

Row 14: Border, K6, P4, K6, border.

Row 15: Border, P6, K4, P6, border.

Row 16: Repeat row 13.

Row 17: Border, K6, P4, K6, border.

Row 18: Border, P5, right cable (slip 1 off needle, K2, purl slipped stitch), left cable (slip 2 off needle, P1, knit 2 slipped stitches), P5, border.

Row 19: Border, K5, P2, K2, P2, K5, border.

Row 20: Border, P5, right cable (slip 1 off needle, K2, purl slipped stitch), left cable (slip 2 off needle, P1, knit 2 slipped stitches), P5, border.

Row 21: Border, K4, P2, K4, P2, K4, border.

Row 22: Border, P4, K2, P4, K2, P4, border.

Rows 23 & 24: Repeat rows 21 & 22.

Rows 25 - 29: K1, P1 across, repeat (4 rows total). Cast off, weave in ends.