Easy Reversible Cables class

If you’ve ever made a cabled scarf or blanket, you know how it is only partly satisfying. One side is an array of beautiful cables, and the other side is obviously the wrong side. What if there was a way to make both sides good without resorting to double-knitting? But there is! This class will cover simple reversible cables as well as ribbles and twists. Alas! These tricks don’t work for all types of cables; but we will look at when they can and can’t be applied.

Three types of reversible honeycomb fabric

Detail of Legerdemain scarf

Skill level is advanced beginner.
Prerequisites: Should be able to work 1×1 and 2×2 ribbing. Should already have experience with basic cables.

What you will learn:
simple flat reversible cables
ribbles
twists
overview of cable nomenclature
which types of cables can be worked reversibly

Maximum 20 students.

½ day workshop

Students receive a handout in booklet form and the pattern for the Legerdemain Reversible Cabled Scarf.

No materials fee.

Homework:
Using your favorite cast-on for 1×1 ribbing, cast on 56 stitches and work a few rows in 1×1 ribbing to establish pattern. Leave yarn attached and stitches live on the needles. Note: If you are a tight knitter, please go up a couple needle sizes, as this fabric will pull in and you’ll need some slack to be able to cable comfortably. Picture and directions here.

sand cables, folded to show right side and wrong side

embellished twists

Supplies:

• homework swatch in class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color)
• needles to work that yarn in ribbing
• cable needle
• a pin for marking the right side of your work

No special needs for the room set up. A whiteboard or flip chart is nice to have but not need to have. I have a projector if the facilities can accommodate it. Room set-up should be tables and chairs either facing forward or in a U-shape.

This class has been taught at
North Georgia Knitting Guild, twice in February 2014, Lebanon GA;
Elements of this class were taught in “Doctorate in Double Knitting” at Southeast Fiber Forum 2015, Gatlinburg TN;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2015, Fletcher NC;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2016, Fletcher NC;
Unwind 2018, Blowing Rock NC;
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival 2019, Pittsburgh PA;
Carolina Fiber Fest 2019, Raleigh NC;
Blue Ridge Fiber Fest 2019, Sparta NC;
Southeast Animal Fiber Fair 2019, Fletcher NC;
Fiberworld 2021, online;
Kathy's Kreations Fall Fling 2021, Ligonier, PA;
STITCHES Expo at Home October 2021, online;
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival 2022;
Dallas Fort-Worth Fiber Fest 2022;
South Carolina Knit Inn 2023, Greenville SC;
Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival 2023, Berryville VA;
Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival 2024, Berryville VA.

Elements of this class were taught in "A Feast of Reversible Knitting," John C. Campbell Folk School, May 2024.