How to Work a 2 x 2 Cable in Turned Rows
Brenda K.B. AndersonDescription
In this video, Brenda K. B. Anderson demonstrates how to crochet a 2 x 2 cable pattern, worked in turned rows. This means that there are 2 post stitches that cross over another set of 2 post stitches. Logged-in members can download the 2 X 2 cable chart for a visual reference. Brenda is using an acrylic worsted weight yarn and an I hook for this sample.
A note to left-handed crocheters:
Left-handed crocheters should watch the video in a mirror (or flip their screen horizontally) in order to see what it would look like if a left-handed person was crocheting it. In order to work the chart from left-to right, A left-handed person should make a copy of the crochet chart with the image flipped horizontally. The resulting cable would be the mirror image of this cable- the stitches would cross over to the right instead of to the left.
Cable pattern is worked as follows:
Chain 22 (last chain counts as a turning chain).
Row 1: Beginning with the second ch from hook and working into the bottom of the chain, SC in each st across. 21 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), SC into each st across.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, [SC in next st, FPDC in each of the next 4 sts from 2 rows below, skip next 4 sts, SC in next st, FPDC in next st] twice, SC in next st, FPDC in each of the next 4 sts from 2 rows below, skip next 4 sts, SC in each of the next 2 sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, SC in each st across.
Row 5 (cable crossing row): Note: all post sts are worked into post sts from row below from this point onward. Ch 1, turn, [SC in next st, skip each of the next 2 post sts from row below, FPtr around each of the next 2 post sts, working in front of sts just made, FPtr in each of the two skipped sts, skip next 4 sts of working row (right behind the post sts just made), SC in next SC st, FPDC in next post stitch, skip next st from working row (right behind post st just made)] twice, SC in next st, skip each of the next 2 post sts, FPtr around each of the next 2 post sts, working in front of sts just made, FPtr in each of the two skipped sts, skip next 4 sts from working row (right behind post sts just made), SC in each of the next 2 SC sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, SC in each st.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, [SC in next st, FPDC in next 4 posts from row below, skip next 4 sts of working row, SC in next st, FPDC in post st from row below, skip corresponding sc in working row] twice, SC in next st, FPDC in next 4 posts from row below, skip next 4 sts of working row, SC in each of next 2 sts.
Rows 8-9: Repeat rows 6 and 7.
Repeat Rows 4-9 for pattern.
At the end of the video, Brenda explains that crochet cables make a very thick fabric, and it may feel stiff at first, however after blocking, your work will have much more drape. For acrylic fibers, steam-blocking is the most affective method.