To help knitters easily understand written instructions and charts in cable patterns, we’ve compiled a list of common cable abbreviations and symbols.
These are all for:
• Knits over knits
• Knits over purls
Each one comes with a clear explanation of the specific cable technique it represents and what it tells you to do.
Knit Cables without a cable needle
48 Common Cables – How They Work
Getting Started with Cables
A Few Words Before We Begin
Most cable patterns use only basic stitches: knit and purl. Some cable patterns may also include slipped stitches, lace stitches, brioche techniques, or incorporate increases and decreases; patterns that include these are considered the dramatic kind of cable patterns.
In this article, we’ll cover common cable abbreviations and symbols, along with how to work cables both with and without a cable needle.
Small cables of three or four stitches can often be worked without a cable needle. This can make cable knitting quicker and allows you to work cables even when you don’t have a cable needle on hand. With practice, the technique becomes quick and straightforward.
Tips to Help You Create Perfect Cables
Keep in mind that maintaining even tension as you slip and knit will help keep your cables neater. Snugly knitting the first stitch after completing a cable can help reduce any gaps in your fabric.
When working cables without a cable needle, the hanging stitches will stay in the front or back, and you can hold them in place with your thumb and forefinger.
Remember that all cables follow a certain logic and consistency. If a cable looks off, it likely means a mistake was made.
And finally, take your time with each step—don’t rush.
Common Cable Abbreviations
Below are some abbreviations used in cable patterns to help you understand the language of cable knitting with ease.
Some patterns describe cable direction as Right/Left, while others use Back/Front. In general, Right = Back and Left = Front, but always check the pattern instructions for its specific terminology.
Cn: Cable Needle
CxB: Cable x Back
CyF: Cable y Front
LC: Left Cross / Left Cable
RC: Right Cross / Right Cable
LPC: Left Purl Cross
RPC: Right Purl Cross
Knit Cables without a cable needle
Left Cross Cables
1/1 LC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the first stitch on the left-hand needle, and slip it onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Knit the next stitch.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the slipped stitch on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 4: Drop the two stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 5: Insert the right-hand needle back into the loose stitch.
Step 6: Knit the slipped stitch.
2/1 LC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the three stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 2nd and 3rd stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the three stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into the one loose stitch.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the stitch on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip it back onto the left-hand needle.
Now that the hard part is done, the cable is crossed, and all 3 stitches are ready to knit in the new, correct order.
Step 6: Knit three stitches.
2/2 LC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the four stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 3rd and 4th stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the four stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into two loose stitches.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Knit four stitches.
3/2 LC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the five stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the five stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into two loose stitches.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Knit five stitches.
3/3 LC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the six stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 4th, 5th, and 6th stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the six stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into three loose stitches.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the three stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Knit six stitches.
Step-by-Step Photos:
Left Purl Cross Cables
1/1 LPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the first stitch on the left-hand needle, and slip it onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Purl the next stitch.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the slipped stitch on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 4: Drop the two stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 5: Insert the right-hand needle back into the loose stitch.
Step 6: Knit the slipped stitch.
2/1 LPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the three stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 2nd and 3rd stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the three stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into the one loose stitch.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the stitch on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip it back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Purl one stitch.
Step 7: Knit two stitches.
2/2 LPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the four stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 3rd and 4th stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the four stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into two loose stitches.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Purl two stitches.
Step 7: Knit two stitches.
3/2 LPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the five stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 3rd, 4th and 5th stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the five stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into two loose stitches.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Purl two stitches.
Step 7: Knit three stitches.
3/3 LPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the six stitches on the left-hand needle, and slip them onto the right-hand needle.
Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the front of the 4th, 5th, and 6th stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right.
Step 3: Drop the six stitches off the right-hand needle.
Step 4: Insert the right-hand needle back into three loose stitches.
Step 5: Insert the left-hand needle into the three stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 6: Purl three stitches.
Step 7: Knit three stitches.
Step-by-Step Photos:
Right Cross Cables
1/1 RC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 2nd stitch on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the two stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the one loose stitch.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the stitch on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip it back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit two stitches.
2/1 RC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 2nd and 3rd stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the three stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the one loose stitch.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit three stitches.
2/2 RC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 3rd and 4th stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the four stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the two loose stitches.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit four stitches.
3/2 RC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the five stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the two loose stitches.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the three stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit five stitches.
3/3 RC
Step 1: Hold the yarn in back, insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 4th, 5th, and 6th stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the six stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the three loose stitches.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the three stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit six stitches.
Step-by-Step Photos:
Right Purl Cross Cables
1/1 RPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 2nd stitch on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the two stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the one loose stitch.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the stitch on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip it back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit one stitch.
Step 6: Purl one stitch.
2/1 RPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 2nd and 3rd stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the three stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the one loose stitch.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit two stitches.
Step 6: Purl one stitch.
2/2 RPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 3rd and 4th stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the four stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the two loose stitches.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the two stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit two stitches.
Step 6: Purl two stitches.
3/2 RPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the five stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the two loose stitches.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the three stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit three stitches.
Step 6: Purl two stitches.
3/3 RPC
Step 1: Insert the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the 4th, 5th, and 6th stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Drop the six stitches off the left-hand needle.
Step 3: Insert the left-hand needle into the three loose stitches.
Step 4: Insert the left-hand needle into the three stitches on the right-hand needle from left to right, and slip them back onto the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Knit three stitches.
Step 6: Purl three stitches.
Step-by-Step Photos:
48 Common Cables How They Work
2-Stitch Cables
| Abbr | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1 LC | 1 over 1 Left Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at front, knit 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 1 from cable needle. |
| 1/1 LPC | 1 over 1 Left Purl Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at front, purl 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 1 from cable needle. |
| 1/1 RC | 1 over 1 Right Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 1 from cable needle. |
| 1/1 RPC | 1 over 1 Right Purl Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit 1 from left-hand needle, then purl 1 from cable needle. |
3-Stitch Cables
| Abbr | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2/1 LC | 2 over 1 Left Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/1 LPC | 2 over 1 Left Purl Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/1 RC | 2 over 1 Right Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 1 from cable needle. |
| 2/1 RPC | 2 over 1 Right Purl Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then purl 1 from cable needle. |
4-Stitch Cables
| Abb | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2/2 LC | 2 over 2 Left Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/2 LPC | 2 over 2 Left Purl Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/2 RC | 2 over 2 Right Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/2 RPC | 2 over 2 Right Purl Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then purl 2 from cable needle. |
| 3/1 LC | 3 over 1 Left Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/1 LPC | 3 over 1 Left Purl Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 1 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/1 RC | 3 over 1 Right Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 1 from cable needle. |
| 3/1 RPC | 3 over 1 Right Purl Cross | Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then purl 1 from cable needle. |
5-Stitch Cables
| Abb | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 3/2 LC | 3 over 2 Left Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/2 LPC | 3 over 2 Left Purl Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/2 RC | 3 over 2 Right Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 3/2 RPC | 3 over 2 Right Purl Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then purl 2 from cable needle. |
6-Stitch Cables
| Abb | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 3/3 LC | 3 over 3 Left Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/3 LPC | 3 over 3 Left Purl Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/3 RC | 3 over 3 Right Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/3 RPC | 3 over 3 Right Purl Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then purl 3 from cable needle. |
| 4/2 LC | 4 over 2 Left Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/2 LPC | 4 over 2 Left Purl Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 2 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/2 RC | 4 over 2 Right Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 4/2 RPC | 4 over 2 Right Purl Cross | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then purl 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/2/2 LRC | 2 over 2 over 2 Center | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 from left-hand needle, slip 2 stitches from cable needle to left-hand needle and move cable needle to back, knit 2 from left-hand needle, knit 2 from cable needle. |
| 2/2/2 RRC | 2 over 2 over 2 Center | Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, slip 2 stitches to second cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 from left-hand needle, knit 2 from front cable needle, knit 2 from back cable needle. |
7-Stitch Cables
| Abb | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4 LC | 3 over 4 Left Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/4 LPC | 3 over 4 Left Purl Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/4 RC | 3 over 4 Right Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 3/4 RPC | 3 over 4 Right Purl Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then purl 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/3 LC | 4 over 3 Left Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/3 LPC | 4 over 3 Left Purl Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 3 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/3 RC | 4 over 3 Right Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 4/3 RPC | 4 over 3 Right Purl Cross | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then purl 3 from cable needle. |
8-Stitch Cables
| Abb | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 LC | 4 over 4 Left Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/4 LPC | 4 over 4 Left Purl Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/4 RC | 4 over 4 Right Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then knit 4 from cable needle. |
| 4/4 RPC | 4 over 4 Right Purl Cross | Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 4 from left-hand needle, then purl 4 from cable needle. |
| 3/2/3 LRC | 3 over 2 over 3 Center | Slip 5 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 3 from left-hand needle, slip 2 stitches from cable needle to left-hand needle and move cable needle to back, knit 2 from left-hand needle, knit 3 from cable needle. |
| 3/2/3 RRC | 3 over 2 over 3 Center | Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, slip next 2 stitches to second cable needle and hold in front, knit 3 from left-hand needle, knit 2 from front cable needle, knit 3 from back cable needle. |
10-Stitch Cables
| Abb | Explanation | Basic Steps to Work |
|---|---|---|
| 5/5 LC | 5 over 5 Left Cross | Slip 5 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, knit 5 from left-hand needle, then knit 5 from cable needle. |
| 5/5 LPC | 5 over 5 Left Purl Cross | Slip 5 stitches to cable needle and hold at front, purl 5 from left-hand needle, then knit 5 from cable needle. |
| 5/5 RC | 5 over 5 Right Cross | Slip 5 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 5 from left-hand needle, then knit 5 from cable needle. |
| 5/5 RPC | 5 over 5 Right Purl Cross | Slip 5 stitches to cable needle and hold at back, knit 5 from left-hand needle, then purl 5 from cable needle. |
All 48 cables are collected in one PDF for quick reference.
[
Download the 48 Common Cables PDF]
Don’t let cable symbols twist your brain into knots! Check out list of 128 cable knitting abbreviations and symbols and tackle even the trickiest patterns with confidence.
Once every cable is as easy as pie, pick a pattern from our Cable Stitch Patterns collection and start twisting some yarn instead! [Link]
