Thursday, January 17, 2013

3 Strand Cable Braid Tutorial


I had almost forgotten how to do this and realized there are no good tutorials on 3 strand braids on the internet - or if there are any, they are hiding from me:-)

What you need

15 stitches

Extra Needle Held in the Front.


You will need yarn, knitting needles and an extra needle. I tripled the yarn and used 8mm needles to get a really chunky braid. Then cast a multiple of 3 onto the knitting needle ( I used 15 stitches).

Recipe for 15 stitches :

Row 1 : K15 = Knit 15
Row 2 : P15 = Purl 15
Row 3 : C10F, K5 = Cast 5 masks onto the extra needle and hold it in the FRONT. Knit 5 from the original needle. Knit five from the extra needle. Knit the last 5.
Row 4 : Like row 2
Row 5 :  Like row 1
Row 6 : Like row 2
Row 7 : K5, C10B = Knit 5. Cast 5 masks onto the extra needle and hold it in the BACK. Knit 5 from the original needle. Then knit the last five from the extra needle.
Row 8 :  Like row 2

*Repeat the 8 rows.

Be careful not to twist the extra needle.

This "braid recipe"can be inserted in any knitting project. It would also make some nice pillows with a couple of braided rows.

Sorry about the grainy pictures my camera lens is currently in need of repair. Good Luck!


35 comments:

  1. Love how this looks and your instructions for making the cable are really clear. I posted the top finished photo and a link back to you on my blog.

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  2. This is the first time anyone showed a method that is not intimidating to me! Thank you!

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  3. Very nice tutorial. Thanks!

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  4. Kewl. And what a GREAT idea - my daughter has hair down to her waist and this will look really cute

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  5. I love the braid and the tutorial is awesome,thank you!

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  6. I am english - what is a mask?

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  7. me encanta y lo voy hacer muchas gracias por el tutorial soy española y me gustaria compartir contigo nuestros trabajos un saludo

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  8. The term "Mask" is new to me too, I am Canadian. To me it looks to be another term for stitches

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  9. Oh no I'm so embarrassed, I just realized I used a danish word while writing in English - It is a stitch. I'm so sorry about the confusion.

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  10. What a great pattern. Please tell us what yarn and what size needles you used. Thanks.

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  11. I love this pattern, thanks!!!
    www.queliodehilo.wordpress.com

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  12. Do you have any hints on how to finish the headband? What stitch do you recomend to join the edges and how do you keep the braid looking smooth at the join?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry if this shows up twice... Reply is not showing up for me.

      Anyway, I've been using a Provisional Cast-On and Grafting the ends for pieces like these. There's some great tutorials on YouTube for both techniques.

      It will look seamless, especially with some nice weaving of the ends. (A great tutorial with lots of techniques here: http://www.purlbee.com/2011/07/14/weaving-in-your-ends/)

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    2. Where would you end the pattern if you do a provisional cast on so the braid is connected properly! Likewise with grafting. I am thinking that to finish the pattern would leave a double stretch without the twist from the braid and yet right after the cable rows seems like it would not be right either. Maybe I am overthinking this??

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    3. Kitchener in the non cable rows (Rows 1 and 2 or 4,5,6)

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  13. Thank you soooo much for this! Your instructions are really easy to follow. :)

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  14. does this mean to cast on extra stitches? where do you get rid of the extra stitches. I am totally lost, and I have knitted cables before.

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    1. In American terms I figured out where she says cast stitches we would use the term slip so slip 5 stitches to the extra needle and so on

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    2. Thx for clearing that up. I was confused too.

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  15. Thank you SO much! A truly useful Pin!

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  16. Hi, could you also do a video tutorial?

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  17. Maybe a you tube video tutorial for us dummies ; )

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  18. Hi Anne!

    I love your 3 Strand Cable Braid Tutorial. I am an editor at AllFreeKnitting.com and would love to feature your tutorial on my site with full credit to you. I've noticed you have some other great projects on your site, and I would love to link to all of your other free knitting patterns as well. Please email me if you are interested and would like more information. I can be reached at kburke [at] primecp.com.

    Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.
    Katelin

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    1. I love this info. I can try, and i interesed hand make plase help me

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  19. Trying to figure out the directions. Could you give a key for the abbreviations.....? Once I get to row three, I'm lost. C10F?

    Any help would be appreciated....it looks so cute and I would like to master the pattern.

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    1. c 10 f means to cable 10 to the front . Where she says cast 5 stitches to extra needle it means to slip them cast = slip
      hope this helps

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  20. What a nifty Christmas gift this would make for a young lady, or as a donation to a homeless shelter. Never can keep the head too warm when the snow starts to blow.

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  21. Americans, cast means slip and mask means stitches.

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  22. Brilliant
    Replace the words as follows
    cast-----SLIP
    masks----STITCHES
    Thanks

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  23. Thanks for the clarification, I used bulky wool ease yarn and size 11 needles. I followed anonymous April 2015 suggestion and went with a provisional cast on, tutorial found here http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/FEATfall05TT.html, This allowed for a nice grafted finish after a row 8 repeat. Great tutorial, thank you.

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  24. What a lovely pattern to share with others, thanks for your generosity!

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  25. I need help with this....mine isnt turning out right

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  26. Very nice and neat looking band .

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