Banjo Cable Stitch

Ann wrote

on Dec 8, 2008 3:20 PM

I will likely be making a Christmas stocking for my sister's fiance, as this will be his first Christmas with our family, and we're looking for ways to include him. I've recently discovered the banjo cable stitch and would love to include it in the stocking as a reference to a nickname/family joke, but have not as yet been able to find the pattern online (i.e. free - I'm a poor recent college graduate, what can I say?). Will I need to buy a magazine or book to get the pattern? If so, can anyone recommend which?

Thanks!

AndreaW wrote

on Dec 8, 2008 8:36 PM

 Hi Ann...

I did find this scarf + down in the comments there is a post w/ mention of 2 possible sources for the cable patt. The post is dated May 13/ 06 so I'm guessing the Vogue  issue she's referring to is the Spring/ Summer 2006 one. I don't have it so can't check. I did look in my Holiday 2006 + Winter 2005/2006 and didn't see anything. Maybe your library would have the first one?

http://needlebook.blogspot.com/2006/05/moss-green-banjo-scarf.html

This is the link to Vogue page w/ what I'm guessing is the issue that may have it. Maybe you will recognize it if you see it? 

http://www.vogueknitting.com/books/index.php?cPath=27&sort=2a&page=3

That cable patt is in the Barbara Walker's 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns book. My version...a newer one...on p 167. Ask your library to get it for you.

I would look in any stitch dictionaries (Harmony/ Vogue Knitting Stitchionary 4 vols/ etc) that your library has or can get.

If I see it anywhere online..I willl come back + post it here for you.

   Take care,    Andrea

Tephra wrote

on Dec 8, 2008 10:03 PM

Well I played around for a bit after I saw the scarf Andrea linked to and came up with something that might do. It doesn't have the seed stitch fill in the center because it's after midnight and I wanted to be sure I got the frame part right.

You will have to make crossings on the wrong side rows to do this cable.

To replicate my swatch:

Cast on 18 sts

Row 1 (WS) : k3, p1, k3, p4, k3, p1, k3

Row 2: k4, p3, k4, p3, k4

Rows 3-5: repeat rows 1&2 and then row 1 again.

Row 6: k4, p2, sl2 to cn in back, k1, p2 off cn, sl1 to cn in front, p2, k1 off cn, p2, k4

Row 7: k3, p1, k1, sl 1 to cn in front, p1, k1 from cn, k4, sl1 to cn in back, k1, p1 from cn, k1, p1, k3

Row 8: k4, p1, k1, p6, k1, p1, k4

Row 9: k3, p1, p1, p1, k6, p1, k1, p1, k3

Rows 10&11: repeat rows 8&9

Row 12: k4, p1, sl1 to cn in front, p1, k1 from cn, p4, sl1 to cn in back, k1, p1 from cn, p1, k4

Row 13: k3, p1, k2, sl1 to cn in back, k1, p1, p1 from cn, sl2 to cn in front, p1, (p1, k1) from cn, k2, p1, k3

Row 14: k4, p3, k4, p3, k4

Its now 1am, there are likely errors in that somewhere!

Edit to add a quick chart, shaded areas to show that crossings are over purls (shaded) and knits. Click to enlarge.

AndreaW wrote

on Dec 8, 2008 11:08 PM

Hi Tephra...

Impressed + very envious of your ability to make such beautiful charts !!!  I'm definately nowhere near that ability w/ a computer. Someday...maybe!!!

   Take care,    Andrea 

Ann wrote

on Dec 9, 2008 4:05 AM

Great! Thanks so much. I admit, I've revised my plan, and will now be sewing the stocking to save time and make sure it's actually ready for Christmas. I will, however, still be using the banjo pattern (when I get my grubby little paws on it) in a scarf for him - I'm thinking off-set lines of cables a little more delicate than the green scarf you linked to... 

==O==O==O          ==O==O==O

=O==O==O=    or   O==O==O==

O==O==O==          ==O==O==O

To the library!

Tephra wrote

on Dec 9, 2008 4:20 PM

AndreaW:

Impressed + very envious of your ability to make such beautiful charts !!!  I'm definately nowhere near that ability w/ a computer. Someday...maybe!!!

Aww, thanks. :) I was heavily into making web graphics and art with Paint Ship Pro about 10 years ago and the skills stay with me.

The knit charts I make by hand are very similar to the ones made by Jacquie's KnitChart and I often use that instead for smaller charts (it doesn't play very nice with FireFox so I can't use it for designs more than 27 rows unless I do them in parts, there's no scroll).

AndreaW wrote

on Dec 9, 2008 6:06 PM

 Hi to both Ann + Tephra....

Ann...I wondered about your knitting time vs Xmas to design/ make a stocking in time. I think your 2nd chart....the one on the right will create better/ more even ends on your scarf. Just my two cents...for what it's worth. Good luck @ the library...let us know how you make out!!!

Tephra....thanks for the info on chart making. I'll definately check it out after Xmas. Now I do charts on graph paper by hand w/ a pencil. With my Fibromyalgia, writing by hand is often frustrating w/ lots of eraser use. Computers have made such a difference for me that way. I'm always open to new ways to use that technology to help myself. Strangely (luckily !!!) Fibromyalgia hasn't impacted my knitting much. I've had to be more concious of how I sit + always use circs or dpns...other than that I'm OK !!!   Wish you were closer !!!

   Take Care to both,     Andrea

Ann wrote

on Dec 11, 2008 10:46 AM

Thanks so much! I will definitely be trying this as soon as I get home from work today. I need a few more years of experience, I think, before I can just sit down and figure out a stitch for myself.

By the way, where in MI are you? I'm originally from East Lansing, but moved to southern Ohio for college. I always laugh when people down here complain about the cold or snow. The city practically shuts down when the first big snow comes, but I just keep trudging along, perfectly warm and comfortable in my homemade scarves and hats.

Andrea: Thanks for the suggestion on which stagger to use with the cables. I hadn't thought it through to the end(s).