How to Crochet Cable Stitch or Crochet Braids or Crochet Rope
The crochet cable stitch adds a wonderful texture to any piece. They almost look like crochet braids or a crochet rope. To make them, you’ll need to know how to do front post stitches. The step-by-step tutorial video will show you how to do this. This is one of many stitch patterns and crochet techniques from my Stitchorama collection.
In knitting, cables are traditionally added to sweaters, scarves, baby blankets, afghans, bags, and more. Crochet cables can be added to these items as well. And unlike knitted cables, you don’t need any special cable needle to make them. (In all fairness, some knitters can knit cables without cable needles, but it’s a bit tricky).
Stitches used for crochet cables
To accomplish the crochet cable stitch or crochet braids in this sample, we will make 3 front post stitches along with two traditional double crochet stitches in between the cables. We will use a front post double crochet for two of the stitches. Then we’ll use a front post treble crochet for the third stitch. Front post stitches are made in a similar way to regular stitches, except you enter your crochet hook around a previous stitch’s post (vertical part) as opposed to the chain-looking part at the top of the stitch.
The one catch to making these crochet cables is they need to be made rather loosely. If your crochet tension veers towards the tighter side, you might find your work will curl inwards. Because there are no back post stitches to counteract the front post stitches in crochet cable stitch, the fabric tends to have more pull on its front side.
Crochet hook for crochet braids
Looser stitches will definitely avoid the problem of curling with crochet cables. If you normally use an H hook (5 mm) with worsted weight yarn, you might need to go up to an I (5.5 mm) or a J (6 mm) hook instead. Possibly even a K (6.5 mm) size crochet hook!
Because I crochet on the loose side, I’m using a size H (5 mm) hook. Hoever this is one time (unless you crochet loosely) where I would suggest NOT using the suggested hook size found on the yarn label for cables. Speaking of yarn…
Suggested yarn for crochet rope
Rarely have I ever found a stitch pattern or crochet technique that can’t be used with just about every size yarn or thread out there. In the past I’ve made crochet cable stitch with crochet thread. I’ve also made them with super bulky weight yarn. In this particular instance, I’m using worsted weight yarn.
If you need some assistance with changing colors you can check out this tutorial. Or if you need some help with sewing or weaving in yarn ends, check out this post.
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