Cable Decreases Without a Cable Needle
Cabled decreases are an elegant way to decrease two stitches in a single decrease and have a finished look which is similar to a k2tog or ssk single decrease. Usually a cable decrease is worked with a cable needle, hence the name; however, using a cable needle is unnecessary and cumbersome. With a little slipping and rearranging of stitches, this handy shaping can be worked without a cable needle for faster and more enjoyable knitting. Typically, this kind of decrease is used at an armhole opening or for rounded neck shaping. Since two stitches are decreased instead of the typical single decrease of a k2tog or ssk, the angle of the curved edge is steeper. And because the cable decrease is worked a few stitches in from the edge, the outside curve of the work remains smooth for easy seaming.
CDR
CDR is defined as Cable Decrease Right. The traditional technique is working a right-leaning cable, but instead of knitting the four stitches out of order, decrease the four stitches to two stitches using a couple of k2togs. In this version, we will rearrange the stitches and then work across using two k2togs to decrease from four stitches to two stitches without a clunky cable needle. Since this type of decrease typically follows a set of bound-off stitches, the tutorial shows five bound-off stitches similar to a shaped armhole.
Work this decrease two stitches after the beginning of a row, slip the next stitch purlwise (tip to tip; do not reverse the orientation of the stitch on the needle, slip stitches tip to tip for all aspects of the CDR).
Reach the right needle tip in front of the work and insert into the second stitch from the left tip purlwise.
Pinch the work just below the active stitches with your left thumb and index finger; slip this stitch onto the right needle tip allowing the first stitch on the left tip to drop off.
Reinsert the left needle tip into the dropped stitch behind the right needle tip.
Slip the two stitches on the right needle tip back to the left needle tip (the rearranged stitch and the slipped stitch). The third stitch on the left needle tip will be crossed over in front of the second stitch, leaning to the right.
[K2tog] twice.
As you can see, this decrease works well with the regular k2tog decrease. The bottom two decreases on the sample are the CDR, and the top two are a k2tog decrease.
CDL
CDR is defined as Cable Decrease Left. The traditional technique is working a left-leaning cable, but instead of knitting the four stitches out of order, decrease the four stitches to two stitches using a couple of ssks. In this version without a cable needle we will rearrange the stitches and then work across using two ssks to decrease from four stitches to two stitches without a clunky cable needle. Since this type of decrease typically follows a set of bound-off stitches, the tutorial shows five bound-off stitches similar to a shaped armhole.
Work this decrease six stitches away from the end of a row, slip one stitch purlwise (tip to tip; do not reverse the orientation of the stitch on the needle).
Reach the right needle tip behind the work and insert into the second stitch from the left tip purlwise.
Pinch the work just below the active stitches with your left thumb and index finger, slip this stitch onto the right needle tip allowing the first stitch on the left tip to drop off.
Reinsert the left needle tip into the dropped stitch in front of the right needle tip. Slip the two stitches on the right needle tip back to the left needle tip (the rearranged stitch and the slipped stitch). The second stitch on the left needle tip will be crossed over in front of the third stitch, leaning to the left.
[Ssk] twice.
As you can see, this decrease works well with the regular ssk decrease, the bottom two decreases on the sample are the CDL, and the top two are a ssk decrease.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Please leave any comments or questions below and I will get back to you, until then Happy Knitting! -Meghan
Want to try this technique out on a pattern? The Wrapped in Lace Cardigan uses this elegant decrease in addition to geometric lace and wrapped stitches. The stitch patterns are written and charted out.
