Cable Left, Cable Right

May 15, 2016

Durant (Increase, Decrease) takes on cables in her latest stitch guide, introducing knitters to the numerous designs for knitted cables. Cabling involves crossing stitches over adjacent stitches, formulating a new pattern in the process. Cabled designs range from simple patterns in which a single stitch is crossed over another single stitch to intricate ones incorporating cables both large and small. Durant's thorough overview of how cables are charted provides insight into how to read charts for cabled knitting effectively as well as methods for deciphering the ways they are described in written instructions. A dictionary of cable patterns, including simple, rope-style cables; angled and diamond designs devised using cable knitting; and all-over cabled designs, follows. Durant also includes noncable filler patterns, such as moss stitch and trinity stitch, traditionally applied to cabled garments and accessories. Each of the cables includes a full-color, close-up swatch illustrating clearly how the cables are formed as well as charted instructions. Helpful tips for troubleshooting--including a clever approach to remedying loose stitches before and after cables--are supplied throughout. VERDICT As with Durant's other stitch guides, this will be a much-used resource on the knitter's bookshelf.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2016
Well-known knitting-pattern designer and author Durant has created a comprehensive guide to cables with a focus on providing the knowledge knitters need to design their own cabled projects. The book begins with the basics of how cables work and moves through increasingly complex variations. This gradual build is a logical and easy-to-understand way to learn and makes the book an easy-to-use reference resource. Explanations are provided for not just how to work each cable but also why each technique functions the way it does. Each of four chapters details a multitude of cable patterns, including simple cables, angles and curves, braids and pretzels, and fillers and ribbings. Durant also includes tips for fixing imperfections in cables, using beads, making reversible fabric using cables, balancing patterns both vertically and horizontally, and increasing and decreasing cable patterns. As this book works well both as an instructional resource and as a reference book for pattern design, it is recommended for public library collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)