We often see these decreases at the armholes of designer sweaters and cardigans, but they look equally well on hand-knitted projects, especially along the raglan lines.
It seems that the fabric was slightly pinched in spots where we use cable decreases to shape our knits. This effect adds a subtle detail that shows that this project is well-thought-through and well-finished.
There are a number of ways to make these decreases. We can use a cable needle, or reposition stitches on the needles by slipping some of them off the needle for a moment. The first approach is a bit tedious and slow. The second one – scary to those of us who don’t feel safe taking open stitches off the needles.
Luckily, there is a way that avoids both issues. Let’s see how it works.
The process is the same for projects worked back and forth and the ones worked in the round.
Whenever you need to make a cable decrease in your project, follow three steps to form a right or a left-leaning decrease. Then purl the resulting cable stitches in the next row if you work flat, or knit them if you work in the round.
To download a 10-page PDF with the step-by-step photo tutorial about this method, click here to join the All Tutorials Club 2022.
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If you enjoyed this tutorial,
here’s something else you might find helpful:
“Neat Side Edges” Book
Learn twelve ways to make side edges of a knitted project nice and tidy. Plus, ways to fix side edges, and a way to improve edges of finished projects.
Happy knitting!
