Cable Knitting Pattern Book Review

Cable knitting pattern book review

Recently I was kindly sent a review copy of Cozy Cables, a cable knitting pattern book by Kalurah Hudson of While They Play Designs. This beautiful knitting book includes 16 designs, all of which use cables, that you will love! Read on for details about this new must-have title for your knitting library.

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The style of this book speaks to me. The photos include outdoor settings like snowy woods, as well as indoor settings. Many of the indoor photos remind me of a cozy Airbnb where our family stayed in Taos, NM once, one of our favorite vacation spots. There are antiques and cozy details in every photo. I love it!

In the Introduction, Kalurah shares how she was raised in creativity and then taught to crochet by her mother-in-law. I love how the needle arts naturally draw our thoughts to the generations before us!

Will this book work for me if I’ve never knit cables before?

Yes! The very first part of this cable knitting pattern book is geared towards the uninitiated. She reviews what type of yarn to use, and the right tools.

Next, a few pages of pictures with written descriptions show you the basics of knitting cables. At its core, cabling is reorganizing stitches so that they twist around each other. With some teaching, found in the book, and the right tools, this isn’t as hard as it sounds.

She explains first how to use a cable needle to hold stitches out of the way as needed. Then the author explains that you can actually cable WITHOUT a cable needle! I can’t even tell you how wonderful it was to learn this tip a few years back while I was working on a knit shawl that was covered with cables. It made the project go so much faster to work without the cable needle. So when you feel ready, and comfortable enough, try cables without the cable needle. You’ll be glad you did!

What kinds of knitting patterns are in this book?

Well, they all have cables, of course. The patterns in this book are divided into four sections, each with four projects.

The first section of patterns includes those with basic cable stitches and bulky yarn. The four patterns in this section include a hat with earflaps and ties, a chunky hooded cowl, a blanket shawl, and a lovely cardigan with unique cables.

The second section of cable knit projects includes portable projects, perfect for waiting rooms, car knitting, and traveling. These are small projects with easily memorized stitch patterns. In this section you’ll find house socks, a beanie with pretty bobble stitches, a lovely braided earwarmer, and a buttoned cowl.

Next is a section geared towards gifting to loved ones. These require a little more effort as the cables are more intricate. These patterns include another beautiful winter hat, fingerless gloves that include both cables and bobbles, a lovely triangular asymmetric shawl, and a beautifully chunky throw blanket.

The final section of this cable knitting pattern book are designed with self-care in mind. These are projects you might love to knit for yourself with meditative stitch patterns to help you relax. Here you’ll love the gorgeous boat neck sweater, a cozy-looking chunky wrap, thigh high stockings that would be great at home or eye-catching under a skirt, and a hood that will be amazing to wear outside in the winter.

What does each pattern include?

I was immediately impressed by the detailed schematics and large symbol charts in every pattern! You’ll also find beautiful photos of each project.

Every pattern includes the essential header information like notes about construction, skill level, finished measurements, exactly which yarns are used and how much, needle sizes and lengths, gauge, special techniques, abbreviations, and special stitches.

Can we see some of the included projects?

Why yes! I would love to show you all of them, of course, but here are three favorites from this book of cable knit patterns.

First, Bracken Frost Hat. From the first section of patterns, this hat includes horseshoe cables, earflaps, and long ties so you can make sure it stays on and keeps you snug while outdoors. One size only, to fit teens and adults.

Next up, Snow Fern Cardigan. I just really love the unique cables on this sweater! I don’t know that I’ve seen any quite like it before. I would LOVE to make one of these for myself! This pattern includes 12 sizes from from about 35 to 79 inches finished bust circumference, so no worries that it doesn’t include my size or yours.

And last, but certainly not least! Aspens Asymmetric Shawl. This is just so pretty! Maybe I’m selfish, but again, I’m thinking how much I would love this one for myself. This finished shawl is about 62 inches long from side point to side point.

Any helpful appendices?

Yes! In the back of this cable knitting pattern book there is a list of all the abbreviations used and their meanings.

There’s also a helpful section with detailed explanation of all techniques used. So if you come across a 3 needle bind-off or tubular cast-on in one of the patterns, those are explained in detail in this section.

Lastly, there’s a list of websites where you can find the included supplies, acknowledgments, a page about the designer, Kalurah Hudson, and an alphabetical index.

So where can I buy this great book?

I’d be so grateful if you’d purchase via my Amazon affiliate link, by clicking the button below. You will not pay more, but I will earn a small commission. Thanks!

Happy knitting!

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