Fishtail Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern
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This beautiful Fishtail Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern is made using just 2 cable stitches. Learn how to knit the Fishtail Cable Knitting Stitch in the video tutorial below.
The Fishtail Cable Stitch is similar to the Side-by-Side Knitting Stitch, but the cable itself is completely different. Which one do you like better?
About the Stitch
This cable stitch is easier than it looks! It’s an 4-row repeat, but only 1 row has cable stitches. ;)
This fishtail cable stitch consists of 2 cable stitches using 4 stitches each. On one row you’ll create a right cable cross twist and then a left cable cross twist with a reverse stockinette stitch in the middle. You’ll knit the cables back to back to create this beautiful cable knit stitch.
If you’re knitting a stockinette stitch scarf or sweater and you’d like to add this cable pattern, having a few reverse stockinette stiches on either side of your cable will give it more definition.
This is not a reversible pattern, meaning that the front and back are not the same.
There aren’t any increases or decreases, so you should always have the same number of stitches on the needles.
Skill level : Intermediate / Advanced Beginner
Yarn, Needles & Notions
Yarn Weight: Super Bulky
Yardage: 75 yards (68 meters)
Suggested Yarn: I’m not sure what yarn this is, I lost the label. 😞
Needle Size: US 11 (8 mm) Knitting Needles
Cable Needle
Darning Needle / Tapestry Needle / Yarn Needle
Scissors
* I like using DPN’s for a small swatch, it’s easier on my hands than full length straight needles.
Yarn Substitutions
You can use any yarn you’d like. To get the right gauge, start with the recommended needle size. If you’re stitches are too loose, use smaller needles and if you’re stitches are too tight use larger needles.
4-Row Cable Stitch Swatch Instructions
Knit this cable stitch in 4 simple rows.
Knit flat using straight needles:
CO 11 STS
Row 1 & 3 (WS): K1, P4, K1, P4, K1
Row 2 (RS): P1, K4, P1, K4, P1
Row 4 (RS): P1, C4R, P1, C4L, P1 (cable row)
Repeat rows 1 – 4 until desired length
Video Tutorial
*Check out some of my other Cable Knit Stitches here.
Headband Cable Knitting Pattern Instructions
Knit flat using straight needles:
CO 13 STS
Row 1 (WS): K1TBL, K1, P4, K1, P4, K1, K1TBL
Row 2 (RS): WYIF S1PW, P1, K4, P1, K4, P1, WYIF, S1PW
Row 3 (WS): Repeat Row 1
Row 4 (RS): WYIF S1PW, P1, C4R, P1, C4L, P1, WYIF S1PW (cable row)
Repeat rows 1 – 4 until it’s about 18” (46cm) long, or desired length
To End:
Repeat rows 1 & 2
BO in the row 3 pattern
Sew the CO & BO edges together
Watch my video: How to Sew the Seam on a Headband
Headband Pattern Notes
The CO edge is the width.
You can use any category of yarn you’d like, just keep in mind that the thinner the yarn, the narrower your headband.
Cable Stitch Inspiration
This intermediate cable stitch patterns is the perfect cable knit stitch for your next WIP! It’s easy to learn, especial when watching the video tutorial above. This is a unique cable stitch that you don’t see everyday, making your project special.
Hats
Sweaters
Headbands
Shawls
Scarves
Blankets
Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques
* – * – repeat between * to end of round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
C4L – cable 4 left – slip 1 stitch to a cable needle and hold it in the front of your work, knit the next 3 stitches off your left hand needle and then knit the 1 stitch off the cable needle
C4R – cable 4 right – slip 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the back of your work, knit 1 stitch off your left hand needle and then knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side of work
S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side of work
WYIF – with yarn in front
Right Side Rows / Front of Work
Wrong Side Rows / Back of Work
Fishtail Cable Knitting Stitch
Equipment
- Knitting Needles (Recommended Size for Yarn)
Materials
- Any Yarn
Instructions
Knit flat using straight needles
- CO 11 STS
- Row 1 (WS): K1, P4, K1, P4, K1
- Row 2 (RS): P1, K4, P1, K4, P1
- Row 3 (WS): K1, P4, K1, P4, K1
- Row 4 (RS): P1, C4R, P1, C4L, P1 (cable row)
- Repeat rows 1 – 4 until desired length
Abbreviations
- * – * – repeat between asterisks to end of round
- BO – bind-off in pattern
- CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
- C4L – cable 4 left – slip 1 stitch to a cable needle and hold it in the front of your work, knit the next 3 stitches off your left needle and then knit the 1 stitch off the cable needle
- C4R – cable 4 right – slip 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the back of your work, knit 1 stitch off your left needle and then knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle
- K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
- K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
- P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
- RS – right side of work
- S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
- SL -slipped stitch
- STS – stitches
- WS – wrong side of work
- WYIF – with yarn in front