Basic Rope Cable Knitting Stitch.
You can make two types of basic rope cables with 3 by 3 stitches, one that twists to the left and one that mirrors it and twists to the right. Cross it every 8 rows for a classic look, otherwise try crossing every 6, 10 12 or 14 to achieve the look you desire.

Knitting Pattern Stitch for Rope Cables
Left Cross
(panel of 6 sts; 8-rows repeat)
- Row 1 and all WS rows (WS): Purl
- Row 2: Knit
- Row 3: Purl
- Row 4: 3/3 LC (3 over 3 left cross. Slip 3 stitches to the cable needle, hold to the front, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle
- Row 6: Knit
- Row 7: Purl
- Row 8: Knit
- Repeat Rows 1-8 for pattern
Right Cross
(panel of 6 sts; 8-rows repeat)
- Row 1 and all WS rows (WS): Purl
- Row 2: Knit
- Row 3: Purl
- Row 4: 3/3 RC (3 over 3 right cross. Slip 3 stitches to the cable needle, hold to the back, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle
- Row 6: Knit
- Row 7: Purl
- Row 8: Knit
- Repeat Rows 1-8 for pattern
I am looking for instructions to knit a cable (on the back of a sweater) that forks into 2 cables, in other words forms a Y whose upper points end on one shoulder each.
My apologies if this is not very well put. I am a beginning knitter 🙂
Your pattern skips Row 5. What do I do for that row?
All wrong side rows purl see row 1 in pattern
It says “Row 1 and all WS rows (WS): Purl.” All the odd # rows (including 5) are WS rows, so purl. Don’t know why they wrote Purl for rows 3 and 7 but not 5.