WOODSTOCK FLEECE FESTIVAL

The Woodstock Fleece Festival was held on Saturday, October 19th. It was a rainy and chilly day but the beautiful fall colours made for a scenic trip and was a prelude to the spectacular colours of yarn available at the festival. 

I enjoy this festival because it's a bit different than the other festivals. There is a lot of yarn but it also features raw fibers, hand-dyed yarns, rug-hooking, work shops, demonstrations, and a barn with the animals that give us the beautiful fibers.

I bought some Pashmina Worsted yarn made by Madeline Tosh that's a blend of merino wool, silk and cashmere from The Needle Emporium. The yarn is luxurious, cozy and soft. I've been busy knitting up swatches for a new sweater design.

SIX STITCH CABLES

Stitch of the Month - October 2013

Cables add a wonderful texture and interest to knits. The cables are created by crossing one set of stitches over another with the use of a cable needle (or double-pointed needle) producing a twist in the fabric. Cable patterns can be simple in form or feature complex pattern designs. They are usually worked as stockinette stitches over a reverse stockinette stitch background. It is important to note that cables pull the work in so the stitch gauge will change as cable patterns are added to the fabric.  

Cables that slant to the right are created by moving the stitches on the cable needle to the back. The cables that slant to the left are created by moving the stitches on the cable needle to the front.

The six-stitch cables patterns shown are worked over 6 rows and include a six-stitch cable variation.

Stitch pattern shown from left to right: 1. Six-stitch cable variation slant to left, 2. Six-stitch cable variation slant to right, 3. Six-stitch cable slant to left, 4. Six-stitch cable slant to right.

Six-Stitch Cable (Slant to the right)
Row 1 and 3 (RS):  Knit.
Row 2 and all WS rows:  Purl.
Row 5:  C6B.
Row 6:  Purl.
These 6 rows form the pattern.

Six-Stitch Cable (Slant to the left)
Row 1 and 3 (RS):  Knit.
Row 2 and all WS rows:  Purl.
Row 5:  C6F.
Row 6:  Purl.
These 6 rows form the pattern.

Six-Stitch Cable Variation (Slant to the right)
Rows 1, 3, 7, 9, 13 and 15 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 and all WS rows:  Purl.
Rows 5 and 11:  C6B.
Row 16:  Purl.
These 16 rows form the pattern.

Six-Stitch Cable Variation (Slant to the left)
Rows 1, 3, 7, 9, 13 and 15 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 and all WS rows:  Purl.
Rows 5 and 11:  C6F.
Row 16:  Purl.
These 16 rows form the pattern.

Abbreviations
C6B - Cable over 6 stitches to the back. This is worked by sliding 3 stitches from the left needle onto a cable needle. Move the cable needle to behind the left needle. Knit the next 3 stitches from the left needle and then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
C6F - Cable over 6 stitches to the front. This is worked by sliding 3 stitches from the left needle onto a cable needle. Move the cable needle in front of the left needle. Knit the next 3 stitches from the left needle and then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
RS - Right side.
WS - Wrong side.