I have researched a cable st. All the instructions that I have found shows reverse st. st. then the cable. Can you suggest the amount of reverse st. st. on either side of the cable as these instructions shows all reverse st. st. and I don't want to do that.

There's no recommended number; it depends on the size and look of the cable and how it's integrated into the overall design. Or how *you* want it to look.

But assuming you want the cable to stand out from the background, have at least a couple of reverse stockinette stitches or purl stitches on either side of it.

If you want to be minimalist about it one purl stitch on either side will do the trick.

Thank you so much. Will continue to practice. I was supposed to do this a while ago but got sidetracked by a tween's crocheted poncho, adult crocheted poncho and a tween sized belted cardigan. Now working on my little grandson's sweater and looking at my shelves for the next project. Can't wait to try it again....this time I hope I can succeed. Thanks again.......

There is no simple answer. It makes a difference how many stitches are used in the cable itself, the frequency of the twist, what comes next in the pattern, and what sort of texture you are trying to achieve.

My simple rule is, "if it looks right, it is right."
I teach the same rule in music, "if it sounds right, it is right."

Best wishes, John

Once again....thank you John for your advice.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure what people find so hard about cables. It's still just knitting and purling but just adding twist. I can understand that people find lace difficult (even though it isn't really hard either when you finally do it), but cables are just rearranging the knit stitches with the use of a special needle.

I had to make a cable swatch to use as a demonstration sample for my local JoAnn's, and I had to knit it in super bulky yarn (Lion Brand Thick & Quick) using size 13 needles. It was like knitting rope(!!) and it came out so big that if I made another, seamed the sides and added spaghetti straps, I'd have a tank top.

Diana......guess you are lucky!! Since I have a problem with both of my hands, anything that I make takes a great deal of effort. It does not mean that I "give up". Just takes a lot of determination and time to do things.

My apologies if what I said sounded flip or pompous. I didn't intend it that way. Physical or learning disabilities always make things more difficult. What I was thinking of and trying to convey (badly I guess), was people who decide something "looks" hard, so it "must" be hard, and so never even try. I have come across this attitude more often than I care to think about.

I agree, Diana--a lot of people are intimidated by cables (and other techniques that look complicated), and it can be hard to convince those people to give them a try. Hannah, that's clearly not you, as you're obviously undertaking them.:-)

Thanks Diana for being gracious about this. I, too, did not mean to sound as it did. It is very challenging to accomplish things and get a great sense of accomplishment when I complete my projects.

If ever again, any one of you come across a post of mine, and it sounds like I'm trying to be superior, or put someone down, or otherwise say something offensive, believe me, I'm not! It's just me putting my foot/keyboard in my mouth (again). It can be so hard to convey thoughts by just the written word, because if you were face-to-face with someone, you could hear inflections, read body language, etc.
Keep up with your knitting. Even if you can only accomplish a few rows or even stitches at a time, you at least are trying. Never give up!!

I did it!!!!! Now I just have to keep practicing it until it becomes natural to me. Once I do, I can start on the sweater. In the meantime my granddaughter found the rice st. in my book of sts. So, of course, I just went to my shelves and picked out the pretty yarn. I really do not like to make an all st. stitch sweater. Even though it's easy for me to do that. Thanks all for your help.